Who was the biggest SF Giants surprise in the minors in 2024?

Every year, there are plenty of surprises and even some disappointments in the minor leagues with every organization. For the SF Giants, they had quite a few surprise performances in 2024 but it would be hard to argue that anyone but outfield prospect Bo Davidson was more of a pleasant surprise this year.

Who was the biggest SF Giants surprise in the minors in 2024?

Davidson and Trent Harris were two of the top options. Both had been signed as undrafted free agents in 2023. Even if a player is drafted, the odds of them becoming an everyday major leaguer are low. However, if a player has a strong draft pedigree, that can help to push them up the minor league ladder.

The odds are even lower for undrafted players. They do not have the benefit of a draft pedigree to lean on, so they really need to perform at every step of the way.

Harris started to make some noise after a solid pro debut in 2023 and a strong showing in minor league camp. By the time the season began, the expectations had been raised to some extent for the hard-throwing righty. He did not disappoint as he breezed through the lower minors before finishing the year in Double-A.

Overall, Harris tallied a 1.81 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, and a 4.20 SO/W rate in 36 appearances. He was often used as a multi-inning reliever and the Giants could even stretch him out as a starter down the road. There is a good chance that the 25-year-old pitcher will receive a camp invite next spring.

On the other hand, Davidson posted an .866 OPS with one home run and seven RBI in 58 plate appearances with the Arizona Complex League Giants last year. Solid numbers, but rookie ball performances do not generally reveal much about a prospect.

The left-handed bat got off to a slow start with San Jose in 2024, registering a .554 OPS with one home run and three RBI in 54 plate appearances in April. Adjusting to pro ball is a tough task and the competition level was likely well above anything Davidson had seen at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.

However, he made a big turnaround after returning from the injured list in the summer. In that time, the 22-year-old hitter slashed .430/.548/.820 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, and 22 runs in 126 plate appearances. This included nearly as many walks (23) as strikeouts (24).

There is a possibility that Davidson could have earned a late-season promotion to Eugene but he landed on the injured list near the end of August.

Overall, Davidson recorded a 1.047 OPS with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 226 plate appearances with San Jose. He pretty clearly graduated from Low-A and should begin next year with High-A. Due in part to missing time this year, the Giants did send him to the Arizona Fall League this year where he has four hits in 11 at-bats so far.

At the plate, Davidson's swing looks a little like Jason Heyward with the ability to hit for power to all fields. In a very limited showing, he has posted some impressive exit velocity and bat speed readings in the AFL as well. While he began the season as an unheralded outfield prospect, Davidson finished the year as one of the Giants' hottest hitters in the minors.