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**Here’s the podcast edition of the Giants Risers and Shiners List for you Podcast lovers!**
**Right below is the Giants Risers and Shiners list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Future Grades, Roles, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked on this list! Tons of Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
| Rank | Player | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Marco Luciano | SS | International Signing 2018 |
| 2 | Kyle Harrison | LHP | 3rd Round – 2020 draft |
| 3 | Heliot Ramos | OF | 1st Round 2017 Draft – 19th Overall |
| 4 | Will Bednar | RHP | 1st Round 2021 Draft – 14th Overall |
| 5 | Luis Matos | OF | International Signing 2018 |
| Risers | |||
| 1 | Nick Swiney | LHP | 2nd Round – 2020 draft (Compensation Pick) |
| 2 | Aeverson Arteaga | SS | International Signing 2019 |
| 3 | Ryan Murphy | RHP | 5th Round – 2020 draft |
| 4 | Casey Schmitt | 3B | 2nd Round – 2020 draft |
| 5 | Adrian Sugastey | C | International Signing 2019 |
1. Marco Luciano SS | Eugene Emeralds (A+) |
20-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 178 lbs. | ETA: 2022
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 70 | 40 | 40 | 60 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% |
| 0.258 | 0.344 | 0.471 | 0.815 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 26.9% |
| BB% | ISO | wRC+ | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Oppo% |
| 10.6% | 0.214 | 113 | 37.8% | 16.3% | 45.9% | 43.9% | 33.1% |
The Giants signed Luciano out of the Dominican Republic at age 17 back in 2018. After signing for $2.6 million, Luciano looked to live up to the hype instantly. Despite being one of the youngest players in Rookie ball, he mashed ten homeruns and hit .322 across just 38 games in 2019. Scouts raved about his fast bat and tool set that could turn him into a superstar. There have always been questions about Luciano’s ability to stay at short and even his true hit ability, but one thing that has never been questioned is his power. As Luciano has continued to develop out of his 17 year old body he has managed to maintain the bat speed and ability to absolutely crush the baseball. Across 70 games in Low-A ball in 2021 he hit 18 homeruns with an ISO of .278. The struggle for Luciano began when he was promoted to High-A. Across 36 gamest there he only managed to hit .217 despite having a BABIP of .351. He struck out over 37% of the time and looked completely outmatched.
Luciano is still only 20 years old and has the potential to be a difference maker in San Francisco for years to come. As he has grown bigger it appears increasingly likely that his home will not be at SS. The 40 fielding grade is assuming he does stay there, but he will likely be at least an average defender at third or as a corner outfielder. Speed on the basepaths is becoming less and less a part of his game as he continues to get bigger. The swing path and speed are impressive for a 20 year old and he has the potential to be an all star if he continues to hit. Moving off of shortstop probably lowers his overall future value, but none the less his development is something Giants fans should be excited to watch.
Written by: Matt Heckman (@Heckman_Matt115)
2. Kyle Harrison LHP | Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) | 20-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 6’2″ | 200 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 70 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 6 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 98.2 | 23 | 23 | 3.19 | 1.40 | 35.7% | 11.8% | 0.27 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 16.9% | 4.06 | 50.5% | 17.3% | 32.2% | 41.9% | 24.9% | 33.2% |
It’s no secret that Kyle Harrison has been something special since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2020. The 20-Year-old left-handed pitcher has put up elite strikeout numbers and turned into a massive swing-and-miss weapon. for the Giants. As a draft prospect, Harrison was consistently low 90’s and touched 93 mph. Now, Harrison consistently touches the high-90’s and is consistently 94-95. He also displays one of the best secondary pitches in the Giants system. This secondary is a slider with ridiculous late bite that he can command well. Harrison is one name to keep an eye on in this system, if he can keep up his elite strikeout numbers (Career 230 K’s in 137 innings pitched) not only will he be an impact pitcher with the Giants but has the potential of being a legitimate ace for them going forward.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
3. Heliot Ramos OF | Sacramento River Cats (AAA) | 22-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 188 lbs. | ETA:
| HIT | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 45 | 50 | 50 | 45 | 60 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% |
| 0.254 | 0.323 | 0.416 | 0.740 | 14 | 15 | 4 | 27.9 |
| BB% | ISO | wRC+ | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Oppo% |
| 8.5 | 0.163 | 94 | 48.1 | 22.7 | 29.1 | 34.8 | 36.1 |
Since being taken in the first round back in 2017 by the Giants, scouts have continued to be enamored by the potential and tools Ramos presents. Initially believed to have the potential to be a 5 tool player, Ramos has settled in as a mid level piece for San Francisco. He spent 2021 split between AA and AAA. Since his promotion from High-A in 2019, Ramos has struggled to hit well across the upper minors. Despite posting a BABIP above .300 Ramos still hit just a combined .254. What has left scouts so curious about Ramos is his ability to make solid contact. He posts an excellent exit velocity and has the looks of a player that can hit 30 homeruns. Despite this, he has never hit more than 16 in a season. Part of the issue is Ramos’ swing path. He tends to come through the zone at more of a downward angle hitting the ball into the ground. While he has the speed to help with this approach, it limits the amount of damage he can do with his power. If the Giants want to maximize the potential out of Ramos they need to figure out how to help him adjust his swing. Ramos has a chance to be a part of the MLB club in 2022. He has played mostly CF throughout the minors, but projects to settle into a corner outfield position in the majors. He has an excellent arm which would fit well in rightfield. Although he has already begun to lose some of his speed, he still profiles as a slightly below average to average runner. At this point Ramos projects to be a solid player for San Francisco, although not a game changer talent like his tools might suggest. A swing change could be beneficial to help Ramos reach his potential.
Written by: Matt Heckman (@Heckman_Matt115)
4. Will Bednar RHP | San Jose Giants (A) | 21-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 230 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 7.0 | 4 | 4 | 1.29 | 1.00 | 20.0 | 3.3% | 0.00 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 20.2% | 5.04 | 42.9% | 19.0% | 38.1% | 45.5% | 22.7% | 31.8% |
After a phenomenal junior season that saw him strike out 38 batters during the NCAA Postseason, the San Francisco Giants took Will Bednar with their 14th overall pick. Bednar has a mix of both deception and command, potentially making him a lethal pitcher. His fastball hits 97 and finds the corners. He’s not afraid to run his fastball in on batters generating a lot of swing-and-miss. His slider runs in on hitters, then breaks to the outer part of the plate while his curve has downward action that gets batters to fish. Bednar is the type of pitcher you’d expect to fast track through the Minors.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
5. Luis Matos OF | Eugene Emeralds (A+) | 20-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 5’11” | 160 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 60 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .313 | .358 | .494 | .853 | 15 | 21 | 5 | 12.5% | 5.7% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .182 | 121 | 12.2% | 39.3% | 19.4% | 41.4% | 52.3% | 25.5% | 22.2% |
Matos has some of the biggest upside of any prospect on this list. He was apart of that amazing International signing class of 2018 for the Giants. He signed for $725,000 and has some impressive bat-to-ball skills. His hit tool is easily plus and he’ll have above-average power when it’s all said and done. Matos is a solid defender in centerfield and uses his speed to have impressive range while taking solid routes and have good arm strength. The Giants really struck gold with that 2018 international signing period and Matos has the potential of being the best of that class and I fully believe that.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
Risers:
1. Nick Swiney LHP | Eugene Emeralds (A+) | 23-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: L | 6’3″ | 185 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | CB | CH | Control | Role |
| 45 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 4 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 32.1 | 12 | 12 | 0.84 | 1.27 | 42.0% | 13.0% | 0.00 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 22.9% | 3.20 | 49.1% | 17.5% | 33.3% | 57.1% | 22.2% | 20.6% |
Despite concussions early on in the 2021 MiLB season, Nick Swiney had one of the most dominating seasons of 2021 that saw him post an ERA of just 0.84 in 32.1 innings of work while striking out 58 batters. Swiney’s fastball is nothing special and he relies more on his off-speed pitches to deceive hitters. There’s downward break on his curveball and it looks more deceptive coming out of his hand with the way utilizes his mechanics to throw hitters off balance. 2022 is a crucial year of development for the crafty southpaw and could be a make-or-break season.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
2. Aeverson Arteaga SS | San Jose Giants (A) | 19-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 170 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| HIT | PWR | SPD | FLD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .290 | .362 | .495 | .857 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 30.6% | 10.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .205 | 120 | 36.5% | 36.2% | 22.0% | 41.7% | 45.4% | 24.6% | 30.0% |
Aeverson Arteaga is a very promising prospect for the San Francisco Giants. While Marco Luciano is ahead of him in development, the shortstop position will most likely be going to Arteaga over Luciano, as Arteaga possesses cleaner actions at short, and makes strong, accurate throws across the diamond. At the plate, he is still trying to find consistency in his swings. He won’t mash 40+ bombs a season, but he’s got enough pop that he’ll be one of the more dangerous bats at the shortstop position. Arteaga plays with an energy and passion that will get fans behind him as he continues to make a name for himself.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
3. Ryan Murphy RHP | Eugene Emeralds (A+)| 22-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 190 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | SL | Control | Role |
| 60 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 70 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 107.1 | 21 | 21 | 2.52 | 0.91 | 39.3% | 6.2% | 1.01 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 15.8% | 3.22 | 41.7% | 14.2% | 44.1% | 43.9% | 23.8% | 32.3% |
Ryan Murphy has risen the ranks exceptionally quick and has turned into one of the most promising pitchers in the Giants system. Originally drafted 5th round in 2020, Murphy has put up strong strikeout numbers in his first two years of pro-ball (Career 191 K’s in 163 innings pitched). Let’s talk about stuff, Murphy operates low-to-mid 90’s with some late life on his fastball. His best secondary is a slider he commands at the lower portion of the zone and will get plenty of swing-and-misses with it. His changeup has some good late drop and his curveball is another look for hitters. His command of the zone is really what makes him a promising arm in this system. His fluid and loose delivery show him as a starter going forward. Continuing on, the Giants are starting to have some good pitching in their system and with the combination of Swiney, Murphy, Bednar, and Harrison, this is one Giants team that could have a solid rotation in the future.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
4. Casey Schmitt 3B | Eugene Emeralds (A+) | 23-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 215 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 55 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 40 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .247 | .318 | .406 | .724 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 15.7% | 7.9% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .159 | 91 | 9.1% | 34.1% | 15.1% | 50.7% | 40.2% | 26.3% | 33.5% |
Casey Schmitt is an intriguing prospect when you think about what he was to where he is now. He was a defensive first prospect with an average bat. Now, he’s a solid hitter with some power and a solid defender. His quick bat speed and smooth swing show a consistent line drive approach and a solid ability to spray the ball to all fields. In 2021, Schmitt had eight home run in 280 plate appearances and this year he’s started off hitting seven home runs in only 160 plate appearances. So, the raw power is really starting to show for Schmitt and with his solid ability to defend he’s definitely a fast riser through this system. overall, he’s going to end up being on of the best players on this list and people should get used to the name Casey Schmitt because you’re going to hear about him for a long time.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Adrian Sugastey C | San Jose Giants (A) | 19-Years-Old
Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’1″ | 210 lbs. | ETA: 2026
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 40 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 35 | 4 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .358 | .405 | .439 | .844 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 16.0% | 7.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .081 | 126 | 21.1% | 54.3% | 20.7% | 25.0% | 47.5% | 26.7% | 25.8% |
The 2019 international signee made his debut for the Giants last year in Rookie ball. He features an open batting stance, leg kick, quick wrists and bat speed to produce a .358 AVG, 2 HR, 25 RBI in 148 at bats in 2021. He is aggressive at the plate, but did not strikeout often. He shows some power capabilities at the plate, and once he matures and adds physical strength, it should be easier for him to hit more balls out of the park. Not the fastest of runners, and though his catching skills are a little raw, he showed signs of good blocking and pitch framing skills. His throwing arm is okay, but there is still room for growth, and the catching skills can improve in time with increased repetition. Sugastey showed promising signs of his potential, and with increased exposure to advanced competition, can help paint a brighter picture of his future potential with the organization.
Written By: Patrick Joyce (@PJoyce29)
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