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San Francisco Giants: Prospects Off to Great Start in San Jose

By Sean Bialaszek

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center fielder Bryan Reynolds (20) scores during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores center fielder Bryan Reynolds (20) scores during the first inning against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Down on the farm, San Francisco Giants’ prospects in San Jose are raising their stock with some great performances in the early going of the 2017 season.

The San Francisco Giants’ High-A affiliate down in San Jose, affectionately known as the Baby Giants, are off to a 14-17 start, but have gotten some spectacular performances from some of the organization’s up-and-coming hitters.

Aramis Garcia, the Giants’ second-round pick in 2014, was limited to only 47 minor league games in 2016 because of a freak injury. He suffered facial fractures during an ill-timed slide into an opponent’s knee, and injuries have been Garcia’s downfall through his young career. He also missed time earlier in the season because of a concussion, but he has shown no ill effects from those injuries.

The catcher who has also started to see time at first base has been tearing the cover off the ball since returning from a short disabled list stint. In four games backs, he’s picked up five hits in 14 at-bats, including three doubles and a home run in each of his past two games, totaling seven runs batted in. Overall on the year, the Giants’ 15th overall prospect (according to MLB.com) is slashing .350/.394/.750, and is leading the team with six doubles, six home runs, and 22 RBI in only 15 games.

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In the outfield, Bryan Reynolds is also enjoying playing in San Jose. The 2016 second-round pick out of Vanderbilt is rated by MLB.com as the team’s third-best prospect, and he has moved through the lower parts of the minor leagues rather quickly. On the season, Reynolds is hitting .283 and is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak after breaking out of a 1-19 slump.

Reynolds had three consecutive multi-hit games entering Saturday’s game, but was held to one hit to end that streak but keep his overall hitting streak alive. He has three doubles, two triples, and a home run on the year.

Another 2016 draft pick is making waves as well. Infielder Ryan Howard (no relation to former National League MVP Ryan Howard), the fifth-round selection, has been one of the California League’s best hitters. In 27 games, Howard has picked up a league-leading 39 hits to total a .331 average, which is second only to Garcia on the team. He is riding a 14-game hitting streak, during which he has picked up multiple hits five times, including a pair of three-hit days. He’s hit four home runs on the year, with two coming during his streak.

Dillon Dobson grabbed a lot of attention on April 28th this year when he had a three home run performance as part of a four-hit game. Outside of that, he has enjoyed a stellar start to the year. The 2015 23rd-round pick has put together a .329 average to go along with a .579 slugging percentage. He has picked up a hit in four straight games and seven of the last eight contests. His four home runs and 15 RBI are both tied for second on the team, and his five doubles are tied for third.

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Dobson is coming off a nice 2016 season as well, hitting .273 with 27 doubles, five triples, and 13 home runs with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets.

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