SF Giants call up #18 prospect RHP Keaton Winn, option RHP Tristan Beck
The SF Giants recalled right-handed pitcher Keaton Winn (Giants preseason #18 prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, optioning right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck (Giants preseason #19 prospect) in a corresponding move. Winn has appeared in 12 games (nine starts) at the highest level of the minor leagues this season, posting a 4.35 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 21 walks in 41.1 innings pitched. While those numbers may not jump off the page, in the context of the Pacific Coast League, where the average ERA in the league is 5.91, Winn has been a consistently above-average arm.
SF Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn warms up during spring training. (2023)
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Winn was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Iowa Western Community College and was signed away from a commitment to TCU. In college, Winn had flashed mid-90s velocity and an above-average slider but had been unable to sustain his premium velocity.
After a promising start to his pro career, Winn lost the 2020 and 2021 seasons to the COVID-19 pandemic and UCL surgery. However, he returned to the field in 2022, flashing upper 90s velocity and a plus splitter. Between High-A and Double-A, Winn posted a 4.08 ERA with 125 strikeouts and just 32 walks in 108 innings pitched.
Winn has struggled to hold his velocity deep into his outings, often sitting between 95-97 mph in the first two innings before dropping to 92-94 mph. That has led scouts to believe he has a future as a setup option in the bullpen. With that said, he has solid command and may be a viable backend starter, even if his fastball velocity dips.
If he does put it all together, Winn does share a lot of similarities with former Giants ace Kevin Gausman. However, he's obviously a long way from being that effective, and it's unclear if the Giants will actually give him an opportunity to develop as a starter. If he gets that chance, Winn has a solid chance to develop into a pre-Giants era Gausman, who was a consistent four-starter with flashes of dominance.
Either way, the SF Giants are likely expecting to use Keaton Winn as a long reliever to help them avoid overusing their bullpen. He will replace Beck, who has filled that role quite well this season. In a pair of big-league stints, Beck has a 3.73 ERA with 28 strikeouts and just five walks in 31.1 MLB innings (13 appearances).
