SF Giants prospects: Pair of 2019 draft picks selected as San Jose Giants MVP & Pitcher of the Year
The season is over for the SF Giants Single-A affiliate in San Jose. The San Jose Giants were eliminated from championship contention in the California League postseason after they were swept by the Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies' affiliate) in a best-of-three series. With the season in the rearview mirror, San Jose handed out their season awards. A pair of Giants 2019 draft picks received the top honors. Center fielder Grant McCray was selected as San Jose's Most Valuable Player, and right-handed pitcher Trevor McDonald was chosen as the team's Pitcher of the Year.
McCray and McDonald were two of the Giants priority selections in the 2019 MLB draft. The Giants drafted McCray in the third round out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Florida. While the team did not select McDonald until the 11th round, he received a well above-slot $800,000 signing bonus in line with a third-round selection. Of the Giants picks out of high school that year, McDonald and McCray received the largest signing bonuses of the group.
In 2022, both McCray and McDonald had breakout seasons at Single-A.
McCray hit .291/.383/.525 with 21 doubles, nine triples, and 21 home runs in 106 games with San Jose. On top of his excellent performance at the plate, McCray was voted the best defensive outfielder in the California League. His performance earned him a promotion to High-A Eugene where he recorded a solid .810 OPS in 14 games.
McDonald started the year as a long reliever out of San Jose's bullpen. However, McDonald excelled while the team's starters suffered injuries and/or struggled. After posting a 2.98 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched across 17 appearances as a reliever, McDonald received an opportunity to start. Rather than struggling in longer outings, he took his abilities to the next level. McDonald completed 48 innings pitched in 10 starts at Single-A and racked up 48 strikeouts alongside a 1.88 ERA. Like McCray, he received a late-year promotion to Eugene. McDonald made two appearances and struck out 18 hitters, allowing two earned runs over 11 innings.
The SF Giants farm system had several top prospects see their stock fall in 2022. However, Trevor McDonald and Grant McCray each took a huge step forward in their development this season. It took some time, but two of the Giants highest priority picks in the 2019 draft had breakout seasons and earned top awards with their Single-A affiliate.
