Undrafted SF Giants prospect completes meteoric rise through minor league system

SF Giants middle infield prospect Dayson Croes began the season with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. He will likely finish this season in Triple-A after earning a promotion to the Sacramento River Cats, per a team announcement.

Undrafted SF Giants prospect completes meteoric rise through minor league system

This caused a lot of movement in the upper minors. Croes was joined by lefty pitcher Nick Zwack in the promotion to Sacramento.

On the other hand, Nate Furman and Manuel Mercedes moved from High-A to Double-A. Furman had been on a tear lately with the Eugene Emeralds, and even earned Northwest Player of the Week honors last week.

For Croes, this promotion represents a meteoric rise through the Giants' minor league system and one that would have been tough to envision even a few months ago.

The Giants added him on a minor league deal at the end of April. This was just a few days before the season was set to begin for the Goldeyes.

Croes finished his college career with Quincy University in 2022. His name was not called during that year's draft, so he joined Winnipeg to continue his professional career.

In two seasons with the Goldeneyes, he hit .347/.405/.437 with a 7.9 percent walk rate, 9.0 percent strikeout rate, and .090 ISO. In his first year, he recorded more walks (41) than strikeouts (36). That skill is one that this front office is trying to build from the ground up.

Croes began the season in the Arizona Complex League, but was moved up to High-A after just 30 plate appearances. He put up a .797 OPS with one home run and 27 RBI in 204 plate appearances with the Eugene Emeralds, followed by a .754 OPS with one home run and 12 RBI in 83 plate appearances with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Giants have been relatively conservative with prospect promotions this year, but they have been aggressive with Croes. He is on the older side at 25 and a more polished hitter, so perhaps, they did not feel like he needed as much seasoning at each level.

Croes has a swing that is designed for contact and line drives. He does not have much raw power, so the power upside is relatively low. The left-handed bat does a nice job of using the entire field, and has displayed a great opposite-field approach.

In the field, Croes has split time at second base and third base. Given that he hits from the left side and will collect some playing time at Triple-A this year, he could be a candidate to receive a camp invite next spring.

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