SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 21: Joey Bart #67 of the San Francisco Giants poses during the Giants Photo Day on February 21, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Giants are among the clubs in MLB building towards the future. Here are some prospects to watch in 2020.
The future of the San Francisco Giants is on the right path. They’ve supplemented international prospects with a couple of first-round draft picks in the last few years. With the minor league season already all but canceled and the likelihood of the big league season returning, the Giants will continue to fill remaining holes at the 2020 MLB Draft.
No matter who the team selects in the draft, the Giants organization has some prospects that are moving the team in the right direction. Two of their most promising prospects are almost ready for the big leagues, while another prospect is busy solidifying himself in the Arizona desert.
Giants prospect to watch No. 1: Joey Bart
Age: 23, Weight: 235 lbs, Height: 6’3″
Hits/Throws: R/R
School: Georgia Tech
MLB Draft: 2018 (Round 1, Overall: 2)
There’s no doubt that Joey Bart is one of the best prospects in baseball. Bart won the Johnny Bench Award in 2018, given to college baseball’s top catcher. He was selected second overall by the Giants in 2018 out of Georgia Tech. His first full pro season came to a halt with two broken bones. The first was a broken bone in his left hand in April; the second was a broken thumb on his throwing hand in October.
Injuries aside, Bart is a good prospect in the field, hitting .316/.368/.544/.912 with Richmond in Double-A. Bart would go on to play in the Arizona Fall League following the conclusion of the minor league season. In 42 plate appearances, he hit .333/.523/.767/1.290 Behind the plate, he possesses a reliable and accurate arm and can block balls very well.
This spring, Bart’s bat looked ready for the big leagues. However, the Giants wanted him catching in Triple-A as he was sent down shortly before COVID-19 ended spring training. The Giants don’t want to rush the potential heir to Buster Posey. Although, with the minor league season canceled and a possible universal DH, Bart’s chances now have risen.
Giants prospect to watch No. 2: Marco Luciano
Age:18, Weight: 178 lbs, Height: 6’2″
Hits/Throws: R/R
Signed as a free agent
The Giants already have a great succession plan in place behind the plate. They may have a similar situation in their infield.
The Giants signed Marco Luciano out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He received $2.6 million from the Giants, then made his debut in the Arizona Rookie League. Luciano put his potential on display with his incredible speed and strength. He had ten home runs, nine stolen bases, and 38 RBI while finishing third in the league in OBP (.438) and fifth in slugging (.616). Luciano was playing in the Rookie-ball league as a 17-year old.
The lanky infielder has been drawing comparisons to Alfonso Soriano. Both Luciano and Soriano were originally shortstops from the Dominican Republic. They have similar bodies with powerful swings. Luciano may switch positions like Soriano, who became a second baseman before transitioning to an outfielder.
There is a lot to be excited about for Luciano. MLB writer Jim Callis ranked Luciano No. 7 on MLB’s Top 10 shortstop prospects. He has the potential to be a real game-changer, but still very far from his big league debut. Luciano could very well be the Giants’ first homegrown international star since Pablo Sandoval.
Giants prospect to watch No. 3: Heliot Ramos
Age: 20, Weight: 188 lbs, Height: 6’0″
Hits/Throws: R/R
School: Leadership Christian (PR) HS
MLB Draft: 2017 (Round 1, Overall: 19)
Heliot Ramos put on a big show in 2017. His season in the Arizona League showed Ramos could swing for the fences. Interestingly enough, Ramos comes from a family of athletes. His brother Henry is in the Texas Rangers farm system, and his brother Hector is pro soccer player.
After the Giants selected Heliot 19th overall, he put up .348/.404/.645/1.049. However, he was overmatched the following season in Single-A with a dismal slash line of .245/.313/.396/.709. Ramos would overcome adversity from an inconsistent 2018. He trounced pitchers in the California League to reach Double-A in 2019, making the All-Star Future Games. Ramos put up respectable numbers that season, finishing .290/.369/.481/.850.
His right-handed swing is quick, and he’s strong enough to drive the ball out of any park.
Ramos has begun to fill out, losing his speed and eliminating any chance he plays center in the majors. However, he could be capable of playing in right as he has the big arm to play there. If Ramos can continue to refine his approach at the plate, Ramos might be a No. 4 hitter with 25-plus home run power.