San Francisco Giants Top 20 2016 PRE-SEASON prospects in review

Moving forward with our organization reviews, we turn to the San Francisco Giants.

Remember, THIS IS THE PRE-SEASON LIST.

THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST

THESE ARE PRE-SEASON GRADES

WE WILL DISCUSS CURRENT EVENTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

This list was originally published January 29, 2016

1) Christian Arroyo, INF, Grade B+: Age 21, hitting .282/.321/.387 with 21 walks, 59 strikeouts in 372 at-bats in Double-A, 31 doubles; contact hitter with gap power has performed decently well in Double-A while seeing time at second, short, and third. Would like to see more pop going forward.

2) Phil Bickford, RHP, Grade B+/B: 2015 first round pick from JC of Southern Nevada, traded to Milwaukee Brewers at the deadline; 2.71 ERA in 93 innings between Low-A and High-A, just 70 hits with 105/27 K/BB; can't argue with the numbers at this point though starter vs. reliever question still unresolved long-term.

3) Clayton Blackburn, RHP, Grade B+/B: Age 23,  4.53 ERA in 103 innings in Triple-A, 106 hits, 74/27 K/BB; going a bit rougher in the Pacific Coast League; I have been on the high side with him and while his '16 season isn't excellent, I still think he can be a solid inning-eater.

4) Tyler Beede, RHP, Grade B-: 18 starts for Double-A Richmond, 3.26 ERA in 108 innings, 90/35 K/BB; considerably improved over last year at the same level, secondary pitches and general command look sharper, mid-rotation projection at this point.

5) Sam Coonrod, RHP, Grade B-: Combined 2.48 ERA between High-A and Double-A, 74/45 K/BB in 113 innings; throws hard but low strikeout rate matches with scouting reports that he still needs to improve his mediocre breaking ball and change-up.

6) Chris Shaw, 1B, Grade B-: Age 22, first round pick out of Boston College in 2015, hit well in High-A (.285/.357/.544) but having trouble adapting to Double-A (.211/.264/.333), they'll be patient given the huge raw power Shaw offers.

7) Aramis Garcia, C, Grade B-: Hit .298/.359/.369 in 25 games in High-A until going on DL with a facial fracture. Just started rehab assignment in rookie ball.

8) Lucius Fox, INF, Grade B-: Age 19, signed out of Bahamas for $6,000,000, switch-hitter with blazing speed and some gap power, just traded to Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline, hitting .207/.305/.277 in Low-A with 25 steals; not much hitting yet but athleticism, speed, defensive potential all look good and he's young.

9) Andrew Suarez, LHP, Grade B-: 18 starts between High-A and Double-A, combined  3.96 ERA with 92/21 K/BB in 105 innings, 117 hits; no real change in status, a strike-throwing efficiency expert with average stuff but excellent instincts.

10) Jarrett Parker, OF, Grade C+:  Hitting .248/.374/.413 in the majors, 19 walks, 38 strikeouts, five homers in 109 at-bats; combination of power, walks, and defense gives him  solid role player cache despite issues with contact/batting average.

11) Mac Williamson, OF, Grade C+: Hitting .245/.345/.459 in the majors, six homers, 13 walks, 27 strikeouts in 97 at-bats; like Parker, Williamson can hit for power and get on base often enough to be a valuable bat.

12) Adalberto Mejia, LHP, Grade C+: 2.81 ERA in 106 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, 101/27 K/BB; traded to Minnesota Twins for Eduardo Nunez at the trade deadline; stock up this year thanks to better conditioning and consistency with secondary pitches.

13) Steven Okert, LHP, Grade C+: 3.28 ERA in 36 innings in Triple-A, 47/8 K/BB; six big league innings allowing four runs; not much left to prove in the minors but hasn't pushed his way into a permanent roster spot just yet; don't see any reason he can't be a fine reliever.

14) Michael Santos, RHP, Grade C+: 2.91 ERA in 10 starts in Low-A, 44/5 K/BB in 59 innings; traded to Tampa Bay Rays in Matt Moore trade; large step forward with command and pitchability this year, but progress muted by continued durability problems.

15) Kyle Crick, RHP, Grade C+: 5.55 ERA in 86 innings in Double-A, 66/49 K/BB; stock continues steady decline with serious command issues showing little sign of improvement.

16) Austin Slater, 2B, Grade C+:  Hitting combined .279/.374/.455 between Double-A and Triple-A; some power, draws walks, very much in the mold of an older Giants prospect with a balance of offensive skills better than his physical tools.They make the most out of these guys.

17) Ty Blach, LHP, Grade C+: 21 starts in Triple-A, 85/27 K/BB in 130 innings, 3.54 ERA; strike-throwing number four/five starter type looking for an opportunity.

18) Joan Gregorio, RHP, Grade C+: 20 starts in Double-A/Triple-A with combined 4.93 ERA with 117/35 K/BB in 100 innings, 97 hits; better stuff than Blach but not as refined with pitching instincts; ERA is misleadingly high, making him a sleeper.

19) Chase Johnson, RHP, Grade C+: 51 innings in Double-A, seven starts, 15 bullpen outings, 3.35 ERA with 35/18 K/BB; heavy stuff could make him solid middle relief fit down the road.

20) Hunter Cole, OF, Grade C+: Hitting .276/.326/.428 in Double-A with 10 homers, 26 walks, 89 strikeouts in 355 at-bats; some pop in the bat, could use better plate discipline; another potential role player.


OTHER GRADE C+: C.J. Hinojosa, INF; Jordan Johnson, RHP; Jalen Miller, SS; Chris Stratton, RHP; Jose Vizcaino Jr, 3B

OTHERS OF NOTE: Ray Black, RHP; Steve Duggar, OF; Johneshwy Fargas, OF; Ian Gardeck, RHP; Ronnie Jebavay, OF; Derek Law, RHP; Mac Marshall, LHP; Jake Smith, RHP; D.J. Snelten, LHP; Grant Watson, LHP

Let's discuss current happenings in the Giants system in the discussion thread.