MLB San Francisco Giants

Ranking the San Francisco Giants’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

Ranking the San Francisco Giants’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

Ranking the San Francisco Giants’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The World Champion San Francisco Giants flaunt an under-appreciated farm system and boast a ton of future starting pitching talent. The "Giants Way" is embedded in the idea of emphasizing pitching and defense, which has been at the root of their recent string of championships. This offseason presents some intrigue, regarding whether GM Brian Sabean will use some of the organization's top prospects to improve the big league club before spring.

10. Steven Okert (LHP)

Steven Okert San Francisco Giants
Kyle Laferriere-USA TODAY Sports

10. Steven Okert, LHP

Steven Okert San Francisco Giants
Kyle Laferriere-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012 fourth-round draft pick is a hard-throwing southpaw whose fastball spans 92 to 94 mph, and maxes out at 97. He mixes in a nasty slider that tails away from lefties to keep them off balance. Okert's most recent scouting report indicates that he struggles against right-handers, using an ineffective changeup in attempt to neutralize hitters on the right side. He projects as a future left specialist and setup man.

9. Aramis Garcia (C)

Aramis Garcia San Francisco Giants
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9. Aramis Garcia, C

Aramis Garcia San Francisco Giants
Stephen Lam/Getty Images

The Giants' farm system is top-heavy with pitchers and catchers. Second-round draft pick Aramis Garcia is the latest addition to an already stout core of young backstops. Garcia received a .1 million signing bonus after being selected by the Giants with the 52nd overall pick in June. He's touted as a solid contact hitter, but recorded a .225 batting average in 102 at-bats over 28 games at the minor league level in 2014.

8. Chris Stratton (RHP)

Chris Stratton San Francisco Giants
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8. Chris Stratton (RHP)

Chris Stratton San Francisco Giants
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Former first-round pick Chris Stratton will being the 2015 season at the double-A level. He owns a mediocre 8-9 career record with a 4.78 ERA in 24 games in two seasons of action, but flashed signs of improvement after being promoted to double-A Richmond late in 2014. Stratton uses four pitches, showcasing a fastball that ranges between 89 and 92 mph with hard downward bite. He also uses and curveball and changeup to keep hitters off balance.

7. Clayton Blackburn (RHP)

Clayton Blackburn San Francisco Giants
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7. Clayton Blackburn (RHP)

Clayton Blackburn San Francisco Giants
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Clayton Blackburn has ranked as one of the Giants' best pitching prospects since being drafted in 2011. The 21-year-old right-hander recorded a cumulative 5-7 record with a respectable 3.31 ERA in 20 starts between the fall league and double-A Richmond in 2014. His scouting report indicates that he flaunts a smooth, over-the-top delivery that enables him to manipulate his breaking ball, a true 12-to-6 curve.

6. Ty Blach (LHP)

Ty Blach San Francisco Giants
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6. Ty Blach (LHP)

Ty Blach San Francisco Giants
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ty Blach is another example of a Giants' farmhand who boasts future upside. Blach, a former fifth-round pick, finished the 2014 season with an 8-8 record and 3.13 ERA at the double-A level. He led the California League (high class-A) in ERA (2.90) while allowing the fewest walks per nine innings (1.2) in 2013. He's touted as an aggressive pitcher who attacks the strike zone, using all three of his pitches to keep hitters off balance.

5. Kuery Mella (RHP)

Kuery Mella San Francisco Giants
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Kuery Mella (RHP)

Kuery Mella San Francisco Giants
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former international free agent Kuery Mella posted strong numbers in 2014, showcasing high-quality stuff to move up the ladder in the Giants' rank of top prospects. Mella recorded a 3.45 ERA in 86.0 innings of work while striking out a total of 83 batters. He allowed just one home run over 18 appearances, using a 95 mph fastball that features strong sink to force hitters to keep the ball on the ground. Mella could develop into a future starter.

4. Adalberto Mejia (LHP)

Adalberto Mejia San Francisco Giants
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4. Adalberto Mejia (LHP)

Adalberto Mejia San Francisco Giants
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Adalberto Mejia struggled for the first half of the 2014 season before posting better numbers in July and August. The 21-year-old left-hander recorded a 7-9 record with a 4.67 ERA in 22 appearances on the season. His scouting report states that he has everything to look for in a starter: size, stuff and command. He throws a fastball that tops out at 95 mph with impressive movement. He's able to manipulate his two-seamer to both cut and sink.

3. Andrew Susac (C)

Andrew Susac San Francisco Giants
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3. Andrew Susac (C)

Andrew Susac San Francisco Giants
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Susac busted onto the big league scene in the second half of the 2014 season, aiding the Giants down the stretch. Susac recorded a solid .273 batting average with three home runs and 19 RBI in 88 official at-bats in his first taste of major league baseball. Susac projects as a future starting catcher, and could potentially take over for Buster Posey if the 2012 MVP eventually changes positions.

2. Tyler Beede (RHP)

Tyler Beede San Francisco Giants
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2. Tyler Beede (RHP)

Tyler Beede San Francisco Giants
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants added Tyler Beede to the impressive repertoire of future big-league stud hurlers in the first round of the 2014 draft. Beede flaunts three pitches, including a fastball that maxes out at 97 mph. He effectively uses a changeup and curveball to keep hitters in check. The former Vanderbilt standout was impressive in a small sample size this season, recording a 2.93 ERA while striking out 18 batters in 15.1 innings of minor league action.

1. Kyle Crick (RHP)

Kyle Crick San Francisco Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. Kyle Crick (RHP)

Kyle Crick San Francisco Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants are hopeful that Kyle Crick will develop into a future ace at the big-league level. Crick had a solid season in double-A in 2014, recording a 3.79 ERA while holding hitters to a .234 batting average against. He also struck out 111 batters in just 90.1 innings of work. Crick has drawn comparisons to Matt Cain because of his size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and his delivery. He could land a rotation spot with San Francisco as early as 2016.

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