San Francisco Giants: 5 Up-and-Coming Prospects to Watch in Spring Training
In past years the San Francisco Giants minor league system was much maligned. However, the system has produced several outstanding players on the current roster such as Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Sergio Romo.
In 2014, with injuries hitting the Giants hard, the minor league system produced once again. Second baseman Joe Panik emerged as a reliable starter and solidified the position.
Prior to Panik's arrival, the Giants had tried Marco Scutaro, Ehire Adrianza, Tony Abreu, Brandon Hicks, Joaquin Arias and Dan Uggla.
Andrew Susac became the backup catcher when repeated concussions ended the season for Hector Sanchez. Susac handled himself well and has the inside track at winning the job again in 2015.
There are some interesting prospects at spring training for the Giants, and although these players are likely to open the year in the minors, they are names to be aware of as they could break into the big league in the near future.
Let's take a look at five players to keep an eye on this spring.
Ty Blach, Starting Pitcher
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KNBR radio, the Giants' flagship station, recently interviewed San Francisco Giants assistant general manager Bobby Evans. According to him, the starting pitcher in the minor league system he felt was closest to the majors is Ty Blach.
The Giants selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 amateur draft. The left-handed pitcher is 24 years of age. In 2014, he pitched for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Giants' Double-A affiliate.
In 25 starts covering 141 innings, Blach allowed 142 hits and 39 walks while striking out 91. His ERA was a solid 3.13, to go along with a WHIP of 1.284.
Blach was lit up in his first spring appearance, allowing five runs on six hits, in one inning of work. Nevertheless, he is someone worth watching, especially if you're making the trip to Arizona for spring training.
Blach will most likely open the 2015 season in Sacramento, the Giants' Triple-A affiliate.
Steven Okert, Relief Pitcher
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Perhaps the best young relief pitcher in the Giants minor league system is Steven Okert. He is a left-hander and the likely heir apparent to replace Javier Lopez or Jeremy Affeldt at some point.
Affeldt is at the end of his contract following the 2015 season, and Lopez has one additional year. However, even if Affeldt returns, Bochy has used a bullpen with three lefties before and has been effective.
In 2014, Okert began the season in San Jose, the Giants' Single-A affiliate. He was promoted to Richmond in the middle of the season.
His combined numbers were solid. He appeared in 57 games over 68.1 innings and allowed 57 hits and 22 walks while striking out 92. His ERA was 2.11, and his WHIP was 1.156. Okert led the Giants minor league system with 24 saves.
What was most impressive was Okert's strikeout-to-walk ratio, which was over 4:1.
Okert was also dominant in the Arizona Fall League against other top prospects. In 12 innings of work, he allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out 17. Okert allowed only one run and fashioned an ERA of 0.75 and WHIP of 0.50.
Although he will likely open the season in Sacramento, the Giants' Triple-A affiliate, look for Okert to be in San Francisco at some point this year.
Contract data courtesy of BaseballProspectus.com.
Mac Williamson, Right Fielder
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Mac Williamson may be a year or two away yet, but he is worth keeping an eye on. He has excellent power, something the Giants can really use.
In 2013, Williamson had a breakout year in San Jose. In 520 at-bats, he blasted 25 home runs and drove in 89 runs. He hit .292, with an OBP of .375 and OPS of .879.
Williamson underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late April 2014. His season was cut short, and he will try to get his career back on track in 2015.
He is not a great fielder and needs to improve defensively. A possible move to first base could also be in the future, or he could be trade bait to the American League as a designated hitter.
Power hitters are in short supply in the Giants organization, so expect Williamson to get plenty of chances to advance through the system.
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Kyle Crick, Starting Pitcher
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Kyle Crick is arguably the top prospect in the Giants organization. He has a fastball in the mid-to-high 90s and a hard slider and changeup. His best pitch is his fastball, but in order to continue to progress, he must develop his secondary pitches.
In 2014, just after the season, ScoutingBook.com filed this report on Crick.
The key for Crick is to improve his command of the strike zone. He walks too many hitters, which puts him in jeopardy and also causes his pitch count to soar.
In 2014, he pitched at the Double-A level in Richmond. He threw 90 innings, allowed 78 hits and 61 walks and struck out 111. He had an ERA of 3.80 and a WHIP of 1.544. However, the walk total is excessive, and Crick must improve in that area.
2015 is an important year for Crick, as he needs to improve his command. If he is unable to do so, he will never make it to the big leagues.
Justin Maxwell, Outfielder
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The Giants received bad news as starting right fielder Hunter Pence will be out for six-to-eight weeks with a broken forearm, according to Christina Kahrl of ESPN.com.
San Francisco will sorely miss him. He has played in every game for the Giants in each of the last two seasons. No other player in the game has done this.
The loss of Pence, at least until mid-to-late April, opens the door for another outfielder to make an impact. One player to watch is Justin Maxwell. He cannot be considered a prospect at the age of 31, but he has a legitimate chance to make the roster.
With Nori Aoki and Angel Pagan already penciled in as two of the starters, Maxwell will be competing with Juan Perez, Gregor Blanco and Travis Ishikawa for time in the outfield. His greatest asset is that he can supply some power from the right side of the plate.
Maxwell's best season was in 2012. In 315 at-bats, he hit 18 home runs and had 53 RBI.
He did not see a lot of action in 2014 with the Kansas City Royals; however, that could change in San Francisco, especially if Maxwell gets off to a good start.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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