Scouting reports on the SF Giants prospects that just missed the list
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After rolling out our top 42 prospects in the SF Giants farm system earlier today, here's a look at some notable players who just missed the list. Stay tuned for plenty more awesome SF Giants prospect coverage this prospect's week.
SF Giants infielder Will Wilson during a spring training game. (2021)
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Will Wilson
A former first-round pick, who the Giants paid roughly $13 million to acquire from the Angels a few years ago, Will Wilson was trending toward a top-ten ranking in the system early in 2022, finally showcasing the offensive ceiling that had intrigued scouts while he was in college. However, when he returned from an injury, Wilson looked like the sluggish below-average athlete without standout power that has frustrated scouts throughout his pro career. Marc still sees him reaching the majors as a platoon/infielder, but Wrenzie is low on his lack of athleticism.
Marc's ranking: 24 (40)
Ismael Munguia
Munguia hit .336/.366/.502 in 81 games at High-A back in 2021 with an incredible 7.6% strikeout rate as a 22-year-old. However, he missed all of last season with wrist surgery. Munguia is an above-average athlete, capable of playing all three outfield positions. Given his unique hitting ability, Munguia should find his way to the majors if he can bounce back from the injury. But it's an undeniable question mark.
Marc's ranking: 29 (40)
Ryan Reckley
The largest signing in last year's SF Giants IFA class, Ryan Reckley struggled through injuries and poor play in his first pro season at the Dominican Summer League. Reckley is a switch-hitter who as an amateur showcased potential plus speed and bat speed. However, Reckley looked overmatched at the DSL, which is not a great sign for a potential top prospect. Wrenzie is higher on his ability to bounce back because of his physical development, showing off an impressive physique.
Wrenzie's ranking: 29 (40)
Evan Gates
A nondrafted free agent out of North Carolina A&T, Evan Gates does not have top-shelf stuff or control, but he was highly effective in the low minors because of how he mixes his arsenal and how he attacks hitters. His low-90s fastball has solid carry up in the zone while his cutter has just enough cutting action to achieve horizontal separation. His low-80s knuckle curve is his best pitch with a sharp break, exceptional velocity, and no pop out of the hand, giving it plenty of deception. While Gates has solid at-best stuff, there's enough deception going on to make him a potential big-league reliever.
Wrenzie's ranking: 38 (40)
Onil Perez
Some scouts will tell you that Onil Perez is the best catching prospect in the Giants organization. Perez is advanced defensively and threw out 41% of opposing base stealers as a teenager at the ACL last season. However, questions about his ability to impact the ball kept him off Wrenzie's list.
Marc's ranking: 38 (40)
Ryan Walker
A funky reliever with a deceptive motion and an extreme crossfire motion, Rayn Walker has good stuff, and he's performed ever since he got drafted in 2018. His delivery makes locating his pitches difficult, though.
Wrenzie's ranking: 40 (40)
Carson Ragsdale
An advanced data darling, Carson Ragsdale racks up strikeouts with a mid-90s fastball and potentially plus breaking ball.
Wrenzie's ranking: 43 (40)
Mikell Manzano
Mikell Manzano led the complex league in strikeouts that resulted in a cup of coffee at San Jose where he projects to start his 2023 season. Manzano throws strikes with four pitches, including advanced secondaries (his slider and curveball both have good sweep and depth while his changeup flashed hard arm-side run). However, his high-80s sinker is only a fringy at-best pitch and he does not have obvious projection. He looks a lot like former Giants prospect Clayton Blackburn.
Marc's ranking: 44 (40)
Luis Toribio
Luis Toribio already has extreme platoon splits, and will likely only be a viable corner bat against right-handed pitching, but Marc is high on his ability to overcome high strikeout rates.
Marc's ranking: 45 (40)
Will Bednar
The Giants 2021 first-round pick, Will Bednar only had one pitch that he had any consistency with in his first pro season: his low-80s slider with its signature sweep and depth was able to induce plenty of swing and miss on its own. However, the rest of his arsenal took a huge step back from his peak at the 2021 College World Series. His fastball sat in the 89-92 mph range and even though it retained its carry up in the zone, his feel for the pitch regressed. His high-70s curveball was thrown less while his changeup still looked very firm. Bednar has the look of a reliever who heavily relies on his slider to succeed. And even then, his fastball velocity would need to take a significant jump from where it was last year.
Wrenzie's ranking: 45 (40)
Joey Marciano
Joey Marciano is buried on the Giants depth chart, which might prevent him from getting an opportunity next year, but he was arguably the River Cats most consistent reliever last season. The southpaw recorded a 4.12 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with 62 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. Lefties hit just .223/.336/.277 against him. He lacks big-time upside, but has a good chance to be a solid middle reliever.
Marc's ranking: 46 (40)
Hunter Bishop
The SF Giants 2019 first-round pick, injuries have defined Hunter Bishop's pro career. Bishop had his healthiest season in 2022, hitting .235/.310/.406 in 85 games at High-A with 13 home runs and 20 stolen bases (22 attempts). However, his 32.7% strikeout rate as a 24-year-old at that level is a big red flag. Marc is higher on Bishop than Wrenzie and wonders if there's a chance he could break out after having a full season to adjust to pro competition, but he's still a 35+ prospect at this point.
Brett Auerbach
The ultimate super-utility player, Brett Auerbach has shown the ability to handle catching, infield, and outfield duties in a pinch. Auerbach has a selective approach and surprising pop from his 5'9''-185lbs frame.
Marc's ranking: 47 (40)
Sean Roby
Sean Roby has some of the biggest power potential in the SF Giants farm system. He hit 25 homers in 89 games last year in the pitcher-friendly Eastern League, but he has massive contact issues (39.7% strikeout rate) and is probably limited to first base or designated hitting.
Hayden Birdsong
An explosive arm, Hayden Birdsong has four pitches that he can throw though two of them stood out. His fastball can reach 97 mph and a high-70s curveball with plenty of depth. Birdsong could work out as a starter as he also has a mid-80s slider with some sweep and a mid-80s changeup that is a clear fourth pitch, but most expect him to move quickly as a reliever.
Manuel Mercedes
Manuel Mercedes had huge helium heading into last season, after showcasing the ability to approach the triple-digits with his fastball alongside good feel for a slider. However, he regressed last season with his velo dipping significantly.
Esmerlin Vinicio
Esmerlin Vinicio is a teenage southpaw with a good feel for a curveball and changeup, but questions about his ability to locate and gain velocity.
Diego Velasquez
Diego Velasquez has shown excellent contact ability despite playing at the ACL and Single-A as an 18-year-old last season. He has a frame that should have more power potential, but he seems unlikely to stick at shortstop, which puts even more pressure on his bat.
Dennis Pelfrey talks with SF Giants prospect Seth Corry in 2021.
Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Seth Corry
Once one of the most intriguing starting pitching prospects in the farm system, Seth Corry's walk-rate took a massive step back in 2021 at High-A before UCL surgery sidelined him for 2022. Corry will likely be shifted to the bullpen when he returns, and he has the arsenal to move quickly if he finds any semblance of consistent command.
Rayner Arias
The largest signing bonus signee from the Giants 2023 IFA class, Arias is a power-hitting corner outfielder. One scout for an NL team told Giants Baseball Insider that Arias has already shown some hitting ability alongside legitimate power potential. They compared Arias' physical projection to Nelson Cruz, which likely limits him to first base or the corner outfield in the future, but also suggests he has a strong frame that should be able to drive the ball consistently. However, as with most international prospects, Arias has been off the radar for several years. He could rise quickly though with an impressive pro debut.
Chen-Hsun Lee
Chen-Hsun Lee is a 20-year-old Taiwanese pitcher who the Giants signed for $650,000 in their most recent IFA class. He has a classic high leg kick that allows him to load on his back leg well. Lee has flashed good stuff in the past, reaching 96 mph with some carry and plenty of running action, a mid-80s changeup with good tumble, and a mid to high-80s slider with more depth than sweep. His stuff regressed after undergoing UCL surgery in high school though, and he's only recently begun reaching the mid-90s again. It will be interesting to see if the Giants challenge him with a full-season assignment, or if he starts his career in the Arizona Complex League.
Shane Matheny
Shane Matheny has exceptional defensive versatility, playing every position but catcher, right field, and pitcher over the past two seasons. Matheny took a step forward offensively at Double-A in 2022 but struck out in 46% of his plate appearances at the highest level of the minors.
Jared Dupere
Jared Dupere hits the ball very hard (one of the best exit velocities on the farm), and clobbered Single-A pitching but struggles with contact. His defense in the corner outfield is also below average. His performance in 2022 is reminiscent of Jairo Pomares in 2021, but Dupere is three years older than Pomares and is a worse athlete.
