2020 San Francisco Giants Draft Review

In what's been the most exciting piece of baseball content in months, the MLB Amateur Draft took place this week, and the Giants ended up with five picks in the top-100. Today we'll talk a little bit about each player they selected.

First Round, 13th pick: C Patrick Bailey, NC State

The Giants could have went a number of different ways here. Many people, including myself, expected them to call Tyler Soderstrom, prep catcher out of Turlock who had committed to UCLA. There were some people also clamoring for high upside prep prospect arms like Mick Abel and Nick Bitsko. I personally really like Soderstrom's bat and figured there'd be a spot for him in a few years when the universal DH is expected to be implemented full time, but the Giants went with a little more polished talent in the switch-hitting Bailey. There is a lot to like about the 21 year-old who appears to be extremely polished behind the plate with a big arm. His throwing is a bit unorthodox for a catcher, as he throws more out of a three-quarter release than direct overhand, but there's no denying his arm strength. In terms of a hitter, Bailey looks pretty well-rounded with some good pop from his left side and good gap-to-gap power from the right side. When watching video's on him I couldn't help but pick up on Joe Panik vibes in his approach, stance and swing. Let's just hope it translates into more power at the next level than Panik did. 

The one question people had about the pick is what will happen with Joey Bart and Buster Posey, two catchers who are ahead of Bailey on the organizational depth chart. However, Buster's days of catching seem to be numbered and I'd be surprised if he's behind the plate on a daily basis come 2022. Bart also has the ability to move to first base down the line as well, and of course, the eventual expected DH implementation in the NL could be the plan for Bart as well. The Giants wanted to take the best value at 13, despite organizational depth and they seem to think they got it. We'll see how it turns out in a few years. I think it's a solid, safe choice at the moment, maybe not as exciting as some were hoping but certainly not a bad pick by any stretch. GRADE: B+

Round 2, 49th Pick: 3B/P Casey Schmidt, San Diego State

Schmidt was kind of a surprise choice by the Giants here, as many predicted him as a top-100 pick but the Giants may have been able to nab him with one of their later picks. He's got a big arm and can hit and with the trend of 2-way players invading the MLB over the last few seasons, the Giants drafted someone who could fit that mold if all goes well. It's a solid, high-floor pick in the sense that if his bat doesn't translate at the minor league level, the Giants could scrap it and make him a full-time reliever. Then if they get lucky and it does translate and he keeps his ability to throw in the mid-90's off the mound then possibly they could have a super-utility/late relief type option on their roster down the line.  Farhan Zaidi has shown a affinity for players who can do multiple things on the diamond in his brief tenure in San Francisco so this shouldn't come as a surprise. I'm not extremely high on this pick, and there were more talented guys on the board that I would have leaned toward, however, it is in intriguing choice and he's a player I will be keeping close tabs on when minor league baseball does eventually resume (most likely 2021). Probably more of an under-slot selection here for money reasons which makes it less exciting. Grade: C-

Comp. Round, 67th Pick: LHP Nick Swiney, NC State

This is one of the better value picks for the Giants in this draft in many people's opinion. Swiney as projected to go as high as the early 20's and many had him being gone in the top-50 for sure, but the Giants were able to nab him with their first compensation pick of the draft. Fitting that they go get another bulldog left-handed starter with the selection they were awarded for Madison Bumgarner leaving. Swiney doesn't have overpowering stuff, but consistently sits in the low-90's with his heater and commands it very well. He also has a potential strikeout pitch in his curveball and a pretty average changeup. Very typical left-handed repertoire, and someone who may be able to fast track and reach the majors in a year or two. Grade: B+

Comp. Round, 68th Pick: 3B Jimmy Glowenke, Dallas Baptist

A bit of a surprising reach here, as many draft boards had Glowenke barely cracking the top-200 prospects and I'm sure even he planned on having to sign and undrafted free agent deal with a club. However, the Giants shocked a lot of people by announcing his name at 68 nonetheless. He's a good player for sure, but not sure how he'll translate at the next level. He played shortstop in college where he was given his conferences top honors defensively in 2019. His power hasn't quite developed yet as he's much more of a gap-to-gap contact guy with a very interesting plate approach. Does have a high baseball IQ though as his dad is one of the most well known baseball teachers in the community he's from. Grade: D

Round 3, 85th Pick: LHP Kyle Harrison, De La Salle (HS)

Probably the most exciting pick of the draft in my opinion. Harrison is a very intriguing lefty who grew up in the Bay Area and attended the decorated De La Salle High School. He looks years ahead of where he should be at 18 who moderns himself after Chris Sale and you can really see it in his approach on the mound. He throws more out of a three-quarter release point than overhand, much like Sale, and has a quirky delivery that I'm wondering if the Giants will tinker with. He already sits in the low-90s with his heater and at his age he could add some feet to that fastball over the next couple years. He's got solid projected stuff, with the possibility of a big curveball but he's got to learn how to harness it consistently. I just think his commitment to the game and his knowledge will win out and he'll figure out a way to keep adapting as he grows. Keith Law, one of the most respected amateur baseball outlets had Harrison in his 51st best prospect and a top-10 prep arm in this draft. Not bad for an 85th pick. Grade: A-

Round 4, 114th Pick: RHP RJ Dabovich, Arizona State

A college reliever with some electric stuff, Dabovich is more of a raw talent with the chance to develop into something solid. He has a compact delivery throwing out of the stretch mostly, with a straight overhand release. His control is a little iffy at the moment but there's no denying his raw ability and upside. He was used mainly in relief in school but the Giants may try him out in the rotation and see how his stuff plays there. I don't know too much about him other than he's got a live arm that projects at the next level. If his control comes around and continues to develop at the next level, he could be a future closer/set-up type. Grade: C+/B-

Round 5, 144th Pick: RHP Ryan Murphy, Le Moyne College

There's not much to go off for Murphy as he wasn't ranked on anybodies top-200 and there isn't a whole lot of coverage on him. I looked at some youtube clips on him and found out he was his schools freshman of the year in 2018. His motion looks very solid, compact and easily repeatable. I saw him snap off a couple of big curveballs that missed some bats and it looks like he has good control of that pitch. I'm not sure what kind of competition he was going up against but it appears as if he knows what he's doing out there. He's got a pretty average fastball that rides from 88-91 consistently. He definitely has shown the ability to be borderline dominant against second division hitters, so lets see what happens when he starts going up against the best young hitters in the world. Grade: C