Former SJ Giants Poised To Debut In San Francisco
By Joe Ritzo
Over the 31-year history of the San Jose Giants, 206 former players have reached the major leagues. In 2018, it was seven players who once called Municipal Stadium home that made it to “The Show” for the first time: Tyler Beede, Ray Black, Steven Duggar, Aramis Garcia, Chris Shaw, D.J. Snelten and Andrew Suarez. Now there’s a new crop of former San Jose Giants who are looking to achieve their big league dreams in 2019.
Here’s a list of seven former San Jose Giants who could make their debut with the San Francisco Giants this year:
Melvin Adon, RHP
The hard-throwing right-hander had an up-and-down 2018 season in the San Jose starting rotation (4.87 ERA) before excelling out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League. Adon features a fastball that regularly hits 100 MPH and a slider that also serves as a strikeout pitch. He was added to San Francisco’s 40-man roster last November and could rise quickly as a late-inning reliever in 2019 if he builds on his fall league success.
Shaun Anderson, RHP
Arguably the top starting pitching prospect in the system, Anderson combined for a 3.69 ERA in 24 starts between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento last year. A polished right-hander, Anderson is armed with an advanced four-pitch repertoire and above-average control. Anderson will be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee, but will probably return to the Pacific Coast League once the season begins. Continued AAA success should guarantee a call-up at some point in ‘19.
Sam Coonrod, RHP
An All-Star starting pitcher in San Jose back in 2016, Coonrod returned to the Cal League late last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. It was a small sample size, but Coonrod displayed electric stuff with the SJ Giants last year as a mid-to-high 90’s fastball and wipeout slider led to 13 strikeouts in just 6 1/3 innings. The SF front office was apparently convinced as Coonrod was added to the 40-man roster in November. Now even further removed from the surgery, Coonrod should thrive out of the bullpen in the upper levels of the system this year and a big league call-up may not be far behind.
Ryan Howard, INF
A former All-Star shortstop in San Jose, Howard made the jump to Double-A Richmond last year and held his own with a team-high 32 doubles, .273 batting average and a continued low strikeout rate. Howard likely projects as a utility player at the highest level and will get a chance to impress this spring as a non-roster invitee to big league camp.
Conner Menez, LHP
Menez has flown under the radar a bit in the Giants system as a former 14th round draft pick without an overpowering fastball, but the left-hander could be a candidate for a major league debut at some point in 2019. Menez was an All-Star starting pitcher in the California League during the 2017 season. Last year, he led the San Francisco minor league system with 171 strikeouts (in 135 1/3 innings), spending most of the season split between San Jose and Richmond. Menez is a non-roster invitee to big league camp this spring.
Patrick Ruotolo, RHP
A former 27th round pick, Ruotolo has excelled as a late-inning reliever at every stop during his career with a 1.70 ERA and 31 saves in three pro seasons. The right-hander had a dominant stint as San Jose’s closer to open last year before finishing the season in Double-A. Ruotolo is only 5'10", but possesses an explosive mid 90’s fastball, quality off-speed stuff and has averaged over 13 strikeouts per nine innings for his career. Ruotolo won’t be in big league camp this spring, but if the relief ace continues to put up standout numbers in 2019, he may become too hard to ignore.
Logan Webb, RHP
2018 was a breakout year for Webb as the right-hander fashioned a 1.82 ERA and averaged a strikeout per inning in the San Jose starting rotation before a successful late-season stint in Double-A (3.82 ERA). Webb showcased a mid-90’s fastball and developing off-speed stuff while in San Jose last year and is now considered a top 10 prospect in the system. He’s still only 22 and probably will return to Richmond for the start of the year, but Webb was added to the 40-man roster this offseason making him a candidate to move quickly if he continues to impress.
Others to consider: Versatile infielder C.J Hinojosa returned from his Achilles injury last season and hit .261 in a half-year with Double-A while seeing time at second, short and third … Chase Johnson was solid with Richmond (3.86 ERA in 18 starts) in his return from Tommy John surgery last year … Outfielder Heath Quinn hit .300 with 14 home runs in San Jose last season and could put himself in the discussion with similar numbers in Double-A … Tyler Rogers continues to have success in Triple-A (2.13 ERA in 51 relief appearances) although the submarine-throwing right-hander was not extended an invite to major league camp … Garrett Williams struggled in Double-A last season (6.06 ERA) before a stellar performance in the fall league (1.88 ERA in six starts) and will be in big league camp this spring … If he builds on his fall league effort, Williams would reestablish himself as a top prospect in the system and be in the mix for a call-up later in the year.
