Five standout SF Giants prospects from MLB spring training
Spring training is the best time every year to get an early look at which prospects are trending toward a breakout season. As the SF Giants continue cutting down their big-league roster in preparation for Opening Day, it's worth taking a look at some prospects who have excelled against top-flight competition. Here are five SF Giants prospects who stood out for their play and where they are development-wise in this year's spring training:
Be sure to check out Giants Baseball Insider's top 42 prospects rankings for more on these prospects and many more throughout the farm system.
SF Giants catcher Blake Sabol at bat in the first inning against the Dbacks during spring training. (2023)
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Blake Sabol
Spring stats: 44 PA, .344/.488/.719, 3 2B, 3 HR, 2 SB, 20.5% BB, 25% K
The Giants made a shrewd move by acquiring Blake Sabol from the Reds right after the Rule 5 Draft for pitching prospect Jake Wong. Still under Rule 5 rules, the Giants need to keep Sabol on the big-league roster all season or offer him back to his previous team.
Sabol has done nothing but impress with his play this spring. As the competition at catcher has seemingly calmed down, with Joey Bart seemingly locked in as the starter with defensive-minded backup Roberto Pérez, Sabol has forced San Francisco to find a creative way to keep him around.
Sabol is making an impact with his bat, particularly his ability to work the count and generate hard contact. He's also showed some notable defensive improvements behind the plate. His ability to control the running game was certainly tested this spring given recent rule changes to increase base-stealing opportunities.
There are still plenty of kinks to get ironed out but Sabol has continued to look more and more like a passable catcher or corner outfielder in the big leagues, providing a valuable left-handed bat in the to contrast both Bart and Perez. With several Giants outfielders sidelined by injuries, Sabol should get an opportunity to keep hitting in the regular season before the Giants have to make any tough decisions about whether to retain him or send him back to the Reds or Pirates.
Brewers shortstop Eddy Alvarez dodges a tag by SF Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt in the third inning during a Spring Training game at Scottsdale Stadium. (2023)
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Casey Schmitt
Spring stats: 34 PA, .441/.441/.794, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 0% BB, 26.5% K
The third-ranked prospect in the organization, Casey Schmitt has been the most impressive prospect in the Giants farm system this spring. Schmitt has already provided the Giants faithful plenty of spectacular moments on both sides of the ball, and the Giants are continuing to give him reps at shortstop due to the lack of depth at the position as a result of Brandon Crawford's recent injury.
Transitioning from shortstop to third base is pretty normal but doing it in reverse is a whole other ballgame. The Giants staff understands that and while Schmitt's range definitely limits his value defensively at short, everything else works.
Offensively, there was not a whole lot of change in Schmitt's swing compared to the majority of last season. He punishes bad pitches well and has done a solid job in working at-bats but well-thrown sliders are still his Achilles' heel. One key difference, however, is that he has looked more athletic in general, with his bat speed looking crisp. There were some concerns about the sustainability of Schmitt's offensive breakout toward the end of last season, but this spring suggests he's ready for another breakout campaign.
With the Giants prioritizing high-class hitters over defenders in the Zaidi era, imagining a 2024 squad of David Villar and Schmitt manning the left side of the infield is looking more and more like a reality as Schmitt continues to get reps at shortstop. He will certainly continue to get plenty of reps at the position in Triple-A. Still, there's also a possibility that Schmitt pushes Villar over to first base or designated hitter.
Melvin Adon
Spring stats: 5 G, 5.2 IP, 2 SV, 3 H, 3.18 ERA, 9.5% BB, 42.9% K
The days when Melvin Adon was considered to be one of the best pitching prospects in the Giants organization seem so long ago, but he is still with the organization. Now 28 years old and on the other side of two shoulder surgeries, Adon remains a high-octane arm who has been a revelation this spring.
Adon completely blew plenty of people away, myself included when his sinker topped out at 101 mph alongside a nasty low-90s slider. Control has often been a bane for him throughout his pro career but he has shown a solid feel for the strike zone in March. Adon credited his stellar performance to adding more muscle, now weighing 255 pounds, and a tweak to his sinker grip to generate more movement while also improving his control for the pitch.
Pitchers who reach triple-digits alongside a low-90s slider and a decent ability to throw it in the strike zone normally end up in the big leagues. While Adon is not likely to begin the season on the big-league roster, he's definitely put himself in the mix to be one of the first players to receive a call up when the Giants need reinforcements. And, if he doesn't end up in San Francisco, do not be surprised if he's traded to a team that wants him in their bullpen right now.
SF Giants outfielder Bryce Johnson taking a swing. (2022)
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Bryce Johnson
Spring stats: 30 PA, .360/.433/.480, 3 2B, 11 SB, 6.7% BB, 20% K
Bryce Johnson might not be a high-caliber offensive impact but he has something that the Giants badly need on their roster: speed, lots of it. And with the rules that should allow for more stolen base attempts, Johnson has found his home.
His 11 stolen bases lead all players this spring, and it's far from a surprise. He's stolen at least 25 bases every season of his minor-league career. Add the fact that he is a switch-hitter who also covers plenty of ground in the outfield and is a stellar defender, Johnson has set himself up to be an excellent fifth outfielder, particularly given the Giants injuries at the position.
SF Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle throws a pitch. (2022)
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Sean Hjelle
Spring stats: 4 G, 12 IP, 11 H, 1.50 ERA, 4.2% BB, 29.2% K
A former second-round pick, Sean Hjelle was always a well-regarded pitching prospect, but struggled to maintain his effectiveness after the first few innings of his starts. Perhaps he was meant to be a multi-inning reliever.
Hjelle began showing flashes late last season, and has continued looking ready to help a big-league team this spring. He added 15 pounds of lean muscle this offseason with the hopes that it would help him hold his velocity longer into his outings. His sinker is already a good pitch with plenty of depth and tail but finding a solid array of secondary pitches to compliment his sinker should be the next priority.
It is difficult to judge Hjelle's velocity gains right now given that he is not being stretched in his outings this spring. He will likely start in Triple-A and he will likely try to prove he can stick in the rotation. However, his effectiveness this spring should make the SF Giants confident that he will at least be able to contribute out of the bullpen.
Stats are accurate through March 20, 2023.
