6. Garrett Williams, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/15/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Augusta GreenJackets, high-A San Jose Giants
2017 Stats: 18 G, 16 GS, 97 IP, 2.32 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.3% BB, 22.6% K
Info: After struggling with his control at Oklahoma State, Williams fell to the San Francisco Giants in the 7th round of the 2016 draft.
Williams works with a fastball that sits 91-94 with plenty of late life that grades out as a plus pitch. He also has a low-80s hard curve with a sweeping motion due to his low 3/4 arm slot. He’s seen his change move up to a fringe-average pitch, though he’s not used it a ton.
While Williams has taken a big step forward with his control, he still has work to do in repeating his delivery. If he can continue the strides he made in 2017, Williams could move quickly to the big league level. He will hope to keep his progress going at AA in 2018.
5. Andrew Suarez, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/11/1992 (25)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Richmond Flying Squirrels, AAA Sacramento River Cats
2017 Stats: 26 G, 24 GS, 155 2/3 IP, 3.30 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 6.3% BB, 20.3% K
Info: One of the more impressive collegiate starters during his time at Miami, Suarez was a 2nd round selection in 2015 by the San Francisco Giants, and he’s been a steady pitcher as a pro in the Giants organization.
Suarez is a workhorse that gets deep into games consistently
Suarez is a workhorse that gets deep into games consistently with a low-90s fastball that he can spot very well along with a plus slider that he can locate well on either side of the plate. His change and curve are both average at best, but they are both pitches that Suarez can locate well and sequence well to make good use of them.
Suarez showed in some short stints that he can be a very effective LOOGY with his plus slider and control on his other pitches to dominate against lefties out of the bullpen, but he also has the frame and easy delivery to pitch deep into games frequently as well.
The San Francisco Giants will give Suarez a chance to win a starting job this spring, and he could end up in the major league bullpen if he doesn’t win a rotation job.
Next: #3 and #4