MLB Draft: SF Giants select Auburn SS Cole Foster in the third round
The SF Giants selected shortstop Cole Foster out of Auburn with their third-round (85th overall) pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Foster is the first collegiate hitter drafted by San Francisco this year, joining a Giants draft class that already features 1B/RHP Bryce Eldridge, SS Walker Martin, and LHP Joe Whitman. The slot value for the 85th selection is $820,900.
Foster is coming off a breakout junior season at Auburn, hitting .336/.429/.570 with 13 home runs in 55 games. A switch-hitter, Foster does not have any tools that jump off the page but also has no clear weaknesses either. Defensively, Foster has played primarily shortstop and second base, although most evaluators are skeptical that he will be able to stick at short.
Foster does have intriguing power potential from both sides of the plate but has struggled to tap into it consistently because of a hit tool that lags behind the rest of his game. If Foster can refine his approach and more consistently square up opposing pitching, he could hit for enough power to be a viable everyday player, even if he's limited to second base.
Foster has a long track record for evaluators to look at. He was considered the second-best shortstop in Texas coming out of high school, behind top St. Louis Cardinals prospect Masyn Winn. After going undrafted and primarily serving as a bench bat in his first year on campus, Foster became Auburn's starting second baseman in 2022. He hit .267/.395/.488 with nine home runs in 53 games.
The Giants will have some time before their next selection, which will be the 117th overall pick (fourth round). We'll see who else joins the SF Giants 2023 MLB Draft class.
