2012 Draft Report Cards: San Francisco Giants

By Jim Callis
October 24, 2012

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See also: Draft Report Card Index

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POSITION PLAYERS

QUICK TAKE

For the second straight year, the Giants stocked up on pitching, taking arms with seven of their first eight picks. That wasn't necessarily the plan, but they were pleased to land Stratton and Co.

Bonus Spending: $4.6 million

Best Pure Hitter: OF Shilo McCall (9), the only prep position player the Giants drafted in the first 36 rounds. He combines a good set-up and short stroke with natural strength and decent speed. Best Power Hitter: OF Mac Williamson's (3) 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame is loaded with plus-plus raw power. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 11 homers in the spring and went deep nine times in his pro debut. 1B Joey Rapp (28) has similar pop and homered 11 times at short-season Salem-Keizer. Fastest Runner: OF Tyler Hollick (14) has plus speed out of the batter's box and is quicker once under way. He stole 21 bases in 23 tries in 32 pro games. Best Defensive Player: Hollick plays a fine center field. SS Matt Duffy (18) has good hands and the versatility to play anywhere in the infield.

PITCHERS

Best Fastball: RHP Stephen Johnson (6) worked at 94-98 mph in his pro debut and reportedly hit 101 as an amateur. He was the draft's best college prospect outside Division I, starring for St. Edward's (Texas). LHP Steven Okert (4) and RHP Ian Gardeck (16) can reach 97, while RHP Martin Agosta (2) touches 96. RHPs Chris Stratton (1) and E.J. Encinosa (7) don't throw quite as hard, but their 91-95 mph heaters have good life. Stratton's fastball has tailing action, while Encinosa's features heavy sink that led to a 3.2 groundout/airout ratio in his pro debut. Best Secondary Pitch: Stratton manipulates his slider well, throwing it for strikes and getting hitters to chase it out of the zone. Okert's slider helped him limit lefties to a .158 average in pro ball.

Best Pro Debut: Williamson batted .321/.375/.588, mostly at Salem-Keizer. LHP Mason McVay (26) had a 1.19 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 30 innings for the same club, with his deceptive delivery helping his low-90s fastball play up. Best Athlete: Williamson has the best combination of strength and speed. He's a solid runner with a strong arm and fits the right-field profile well. Stratton is athletic for a pitcher, giving him strong command of his lively stuff. Most Intriguing Background: Unsigned SS Drew Jackson's (37) brother Brett made his big league debut with the Cubs this summer. Closest To The Majors: Stratton, whose progress was slowed when he was hit in the head by a batting-practice liner in mid-August. As a lefty reliever with power stuff, Okert could jump on the fast track. Best Late-Round Pick: Hollick offers speed, defense and a patient approach that bodes well for his ability to hit for average. Gardeck lacks consistency but has a power arm and good stuff when he's on. The One Who Got Away: Jackson is a quality runner and defender who's now at Stanford. RHP Tyler Ferguson (40) took his 88-94 mph fastball to Vanderbilt.