As we ramp up for OPENING DAY, it’s time to start considering which prospects will make an impact in 2022 as the injuries mount and re-enforcements are needed! Here is my TOP 10 list of San Francisco Giants prospects who could make an impact in 2022…
10. IF Jason Krizan
At #10, I wanted to give a shout to a prospect who has been floating around the Minor Leagues for about 10 years and is yet to make his big league debut. At 32 years old, he’s not really a typical prospect anymore, but Krizan has an incredible eye at the plate, makes solid contact and puts up impressive numbers. In 480 plate appearances in Triple A last year, he hit .316 with 16 home runs, driving in 73 runs and striking out just 70 times. Back in 2019 in Triple A, he struck out just 45 times in 386 at bats. This is a guy who can be relied upon to put the ball in play, he has some pop and is a solid defender with a great arm. How he has never gotten a promotion is beyond me and as of now, he’s not even on the 40-man roster. However, if he continues to hit well in Sacramento, the Giants should definitely consider promoting him when the injuries start piling up.
9. RP Gregory Santos
Next up is relief pitcher Gregory Santos, whose stats from last season do not look pretty. He gave up a lot of runs in Triple A and the Big Leagues and then was suspended for 80 games for PED’s. However, there were small samples of absolutely devastating stuff that has kept him on the radar for the Giants as a legitimate prospect. He is only 22 years old, has a fastball in the High 90’s and analytical websites and analysists love the guy. The downside is he hasn’t proven much on the field, his strikeout ratio hasn’t been as high as you’d like in the minors and that was with the help of PED’s apparently. Nevertheless, if he pitches well in Triple A this year, the Giants will likely give him another shot as the season wears on and the bullpen needs re-enforcements.
8. RP R.J. Dabovich
In the 4th round of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Giants took R.J. Dabovich out of Arizona State. He's a 6’3” 215 lb hurler with plenty of arm strength, a strong breaking ball and a change-up. In High A Ball last season, he dominated batters to the tune of a 1.42 ERA in 11 appearances, earning a promotion to Double A, where he continued to pitch well. In 20 appearances in Richmond, Dabovich struck out 34 batters in 19 innings, giving up just 13 hits. He also pitched in the Arizona Fall League during the offseason and struck out 15 batters in 10 innings with a 1.69 ERA. If Dabovich continues this type of domination in Triple A, he will definitely be an arm that Giants will want to bring up to provide some strong innings out of the bullpen. His walk rate isn’t the best and there is a likelihood he won’t be a fully effective big league reliever until 2023, but he could still help out this year if the Giants bullpen needs it.
7. SP Sean Hjelle
At 6’11”, Sean Hjelle will tie an MLB record for the tallest player ever when he makes his debut. Hjelle won Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year at Kentucky in 2017, was drafted by the Giants in the second round, and mostly dominated the minors until a rough stretch in Triple-A last year resulted in a 5.74 ERA. Nevertheless, he is still one of the Giants best looking pitching prospects and has a nice toolbox of pitches including an impressive knuckle-curve, a sharp curve and a mid-nineties fastball that looks a lot faster with his the incredible extension and unusual angle he can create due to his height. He also has a sinking changeup he will occasionally throw but his command of this pitch isn’t the best.
Although the Giants have established some strong depth in the rotation, injuries will be a major concern and during the later months of the season, some one will likely have to make the trip from Sacramento to start some very important games. Sean Hjelle could very well be that guy.
6. OF Jairo Pomares
One prospect who was taken at the same time as Marco Luciano and Luis Matos is often forgotten about and it’s outfielder Jairo Pomares. He is a left-handed hitter with incredible bat speed. In 224 plate appearances with the San Jose Giants, Pomares hit an astonishing .372 with 14 bombs and 44 RBI. He was promoted to High A Eugene where he settled down a little but continued to hit well, finishing his season with a .334 batting average at 20 home runs in just 302 at bats. Pomares has incredible potential, along with Matos who I will get to shortly, to become the first homegrown superstar outfielder for the San Francisco Giants in decades. If he continues to rake at the higher Minor League levels this year, it’s not out of the question that he could make his Major League Debut in 2022 although it probably more likely we see him in 2023.
5. RP Kervin Castro
There is one player on this list who has already impressed at the big league level and it’s Kervin Castro. Camilo Doval is not going to be included as a prospect since he exceeded his rookie requirements last season. As for Castro, he pitched well enough in Triple-A to earn a September callup, and allowed zero earned run in 13 1/3 innings of work before making a couple of scoreless Division Series appearances. He struck out 13 in 13 with a fastball that can 98 MPH and a low 80’s curveball. The Giants love how he attacks the zone and he will definitely be a huge bullpen piece for them in 2022.
4. OF Luis Matos
Next up is outfielder Luis Matos, who owns the best bat-to-ball skills in the entire system. He has incredible hand-eye coordination, recognizes most pitches immediately and has an advanced knowledge of the strike zone. Matos has the potential to be a regular .300 hitter who can smash at least 20 home runs per season. In other words, he has All Star potential. His career minor league numbers are impressive. In 702 at bats, he has a .332 batting average with 22 home runs and a .908 OPS. If Matos keeps destroying Minor League pitching in Double A and then Triple A, he may get a late season call up.
3. SS Marco Luciano
Next up is one of the biggest names in the Giants prospect pool - Mr. Marco Luciano. Although the triple threat of Luciano, Matos and Pomares may not see big league action until 2023, all 3 have a chance to get promoted this year. Luciano has a vicious swing that generates incredible power with a natural home-run launch angle. He also has a high baseball IQ, an incredible throwing arm and the athletic ability to play other positions besides shortstop if needed included third base or outfield. In 574 Minor League at bats, he has 29 home runs. That home run ratio should be even better in the future as he does get overly aggressive at times and is improving on his patience at the plate. Luciano is electric, though, and could see his big league debut in September. If not, look for him in 2023.
2. OF Heliot Ramos
The biggest prospect on this list who hasn’t seen big league time yet but certainly will this year is Heliot Ramos. He is still extremely young and will start the season in Triple A to gain more experience, but Ramos has extreme natural power and the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark to all fields. He also has speed and strong instincts in the field. His minor league stats haven’t been as impressive as some of the other prospects, but the Giants are hoping once everything clicks, he can be a big contributor. He was recently cut from big league camp at Spring Training but he was 4 for 10 with 2 doubles and should make his Major League Debut later this year.
1.C Joey Bart
Without a doubt, the prospect that the Giants will most heavily be relying on in 2022 is none other than Joey Bart, the second overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft. He already got a sample of replacing Buster Posey when Posey sat out the 2020 season and he wasn’t great, hitting just .233 without a home run in 103 at bats. With that experience behind him, hopefully Bart will be a more appropriate replacement - although of course no one can completely replace the legend of Gerald Posey. He will also have to work with the pitchers and play strong defense behind the plate - something that has at times been a question mark. Bart has incredible bat speed and raw power and has torn in it up at every single level including Triple A and Big League Spring Training. This could be the season Bart will answer the question every one is asking - is he the real deal or a first round bust?