UNDERRATED MOVES: Giants Quietly Adding More Young Talent

0:00This is the Lockdown Podcast Network celebrating 10 years of your team every day. Which Giants prospects are still flying under the radar and should be getting talked about more nationally. It's all coming up on Lockdown Giants. You are Lockdown Giants, your daily San Francisco Giants Podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. What's up y'all. Welcome to Lockdown Giants, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. My name is Alan Stiles talking Giants baseball with you Monday through Friday. And on today's show, we have a list from Jim Bowden of the Athletic underrated prospects for each organization who should be getting talked about more nationally. So we'll tell you who that is for the Giants. The Giants ad, old friend Darren Baker.

1:03That's right son of Dusty Baker, the iconic getting pulled from home plate. He's coming home. He's coming home actually literally home to Sacramento with the river cat. So we have a profile on him and what he could bring to the table. And last but not least, the end of the draft lottery, this could get really fascinating. The collective bargaining agreement, how that's going to end all the new conversations that are going to happen. And how this could really benefit the Giants based on their current situation. Today's episode is brought to you by Fandool. College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited. And this season, Fandool is giving fans even more ways to get in on every match. Join all the action at Fandool.com. So I know it feels like we've been talking about this player in particular, a good bit. But his name keeps getting brought up. And Jim Bowden has this for the Athletic. One prospect from each of the 30 MLB teams who deserves more national attention.

2:09And just to kick off the article, he says, the Monolith regular season is winding down. And it's a good time to take stock of how the game's young talent has performed this season. A lot of attention is paid to the top prospects in the game and rightfully so. But there are many other lesser known prospects who are having great years and whose value has been skyrocketing this year thanks to adjustments they've made their physical development and maturity and their overall performance. So let's get to the Giants and who he has picked for them. Like I said, it's a familiar name. If anybody's guessing while they're watching or listening, if you guess Johnny level, you are correct. Level was signed out of Venezuela as a 17 year old and produce immediately over his first three years in the Giants system. He has been arguably their most consistent prospect. After spending his first two seasons in rookie leagues, he jumped to full season ball this year and hasn't missed a beat. Slashing 315, 379, 522 with 37 doubles, 17 homers, 84 RBI's 24 steals in 107 games at both

3:20a ball levels. Level has elite bat speed controls the strike zone well and can hit for power even though he has a smaller frame. Yeah, as we've mentioned before, they got him at 5, 8186. So you can tell, obviously he can fill out a little bit more, but you're just not sure because he's not that tall. But it's all about that torque and the type of whip that he can create. And it seems like he can create a lot. Defensively, he has a strong arm that can make throws from the hole and he can play both second and shortstop. He's athletic with strong quick twitch actions and consistent mechanics from both sides of the plate. He's the most baseball evaluators of former Braves infuelter Raphael for call. His game is on another level and then he says, sorry, I couldn't resist. So that's what he has. That's what Jim Bowden has for the Giants. Again, really exciting stuff and we're excited to see what comes of it.

4:24I will say this though, Johnny level has been talked about a decent bit, not just here on this show just in general. So I was a little surprised that he went with Johnny level as far as underrated. It feels like we know about Johnny level. He doesn't get talked about as much as Joe Swarck and Zalus and maybe Luis Hernandez who were top, top, you know, international signings. But he's the next name essentially that gets brought up when it comes to the infuelter. He could have went a Gavin Keelan there. He could have went in a couple of different directions. Johnny level is definitely deserving of a conversation and maybe that's just Bowden saying, yeah, he gets talked about, he does get talked about, but he should be getting talked about even more based on how he's been playing. So that's from Jim Bowden, all the different names that are a part of the Giants organization. Right now, if you look at the top prospect list, it's just ever changing. And I know they have recently updated it.

5:26Joe Swarck sits at number one at 18 years old. Luis Hernandez at 17 years old, Jackson Floor at number three at 21 years old, Johnny levels number four at 19 years old. Ramon Mark has at five 20 years old. And I mean, you know, to get him back in that trade, I mean, that's just huge to get a 20 year old. And I know we've seen these lists before and sometimes I'll give you jump scares because you haven't really, you know, you've seen them from the past. If you look back at 2022's top prospect list or 2018, trust me, I understand it for sure. Gavin Keelan at number six Dakota Jordan at number seven, Bowden was in at number eight. So he's dropped a little bit. I think as you get older and obviously the Giants adding younger talent, I wouldn't be too worried about it as long as he's still progressing, which he is and he's playing outstanding. He's just as a prospect. Everyone knows he's about to get pulled up and start his major league career, right?

6:30There's other guys that are earlier on and how they measure these things are pretty interesting. You have, you have Jacob Breznahan at number nine, who obviously the Giants are high on. He's been pitching well, double A Carson Bowman, who they just drafted. He's number 10 Henry Lalein coming over from that trade. He's number 11 kind of Martinez. Another guy that gets talked about a good bit, 12 parts harbor. Yeah, Parks Harbor is 24 years old. So they got him at 13 and he's been doing this thing with the River cats to Trevor Cohen is number 14 at 22 years old. Kate and Wector again, another draft pick. He's 19. They have him already, you know, in the top 15 Miguel Mendes. He is 24 years old. So he comes over. He's 16 number 16. Arhanis Kayama. He is number 17. Another pitcher. You had via Roel who we just talked about last week.

7:31He's number 18 Lorenzo Meola. Another short stop. He took over when Maui O'Huna got injured. We have a profile coming up on him to just, you know, another name to keep an eye on. Single A, 22 years old college guy at number 19. Kate and Kent, who the Giants got, 23 years old. So he's at number 20 Jean-Yel Hernandez. Again, 17 years old. He's at number 21 Peyton Bonds jumping in there. Obviously just got drafted, 21 years old. I've been watching some swings from Peyton Bonds. And I know I'm not the guy that's huge on, obviously, not that I have a problem with launch angle, but we're just when you're swinging for the fences all the time. But I can't wait till somebody, maybe his uncle, maybe we could start there, get to hold of that guy swing because he's big as heck. And his swing is not built to do anything but hit really, really hard ground balls. So once somebody gets a hold of that swing, I'm very excited to see what happens there.

8:34Joe Whitman at number 23, Junior Marte, who we just talked about. At number 24, Luis De La Torre at number 25, Alexander Fuentes at 26. And these guys are all early 20s. Joe Whitman is 24. Leandro Rodriguez, Lepp Handed Pitcher. He's only 20 years old. He's 28 Liz Bell Diaz, another outfielder. He's 21 years old. He's in double A, keeping eye on him. And Tugboat, who has been in the Biggs 23 years old, so they have him at 30. You know, again, going to hopefully be off that list soon because, you know, he'd be with the big, the big lead crew consistently. So that's the list. And we're happy for Johnny level. I feel like he gets talked about a decent bit, but Jim Bowden saying dang it, he needs to get talked about more. So great stuff as the Giants continue to find value in their farm system and build this thing up for hopefully a big payoff at some point in time. On the other side, the Giants add someone else a familiar face, Darren Baker.

9:38What could he bring to the table? And it might be more than you think. More locked on Giants coming up. College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited. And this season, Fandals giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Back your favorite team, build a same game, Parlay, Bet team props, or make your picks on the biggest games of the weekend. And throughout the season, keep an eye on the Fandals app for even more ways to get rewarded. With the full slate of college football every Saturday, there are plenty of opportunities to follow the games and find new ways to get involved. You got the defending champs Indiana ranked at number six, taking on North Texas. I like having something specific to follow once the game gets going. Whether that's backing my team, looking at a player or team prop or building a same game Parlay, it gives me another reason to stay locked into the action. Visit Fandals.com to get started. Next segment with you and the Giants add familiar face, Darren Baker, Infielder, Darren Baker.

10:49This is from Alex Pavovic. The Giants are finalizing a minor league deal with Darren Baker who will join AAA Sacramento when it is done. A cool homecoming for Dusty Sun who went to high school in the Sacramento area. He was in AAA with the White Sox earlier this season. So obviously we all know who Darren Baker is. He is a guy played at Cal, right? Just very familiar with him and the family. Of course, this is from Maria Grudato. Darren Baker reportedly signing a minor deal with Giants. The Giants have infused their farm system with famous bloodlines this year. They selected Outfuelter Peyton-Bonds, the nephew of legendary Sleggar Berry-Bonds in the third round of the 2026 MLB draft. In July, a few weeks later, they acquired Caden Kent, son of Jeff Kent, Holla Famer from the Yankees, a part of the Elliott-Ramos deal. Now they're close to bringing another legacy player into the mix.

11:51The Giants are finalizing a minor league contract with Infielder Darren Baker, the son of former San Francisco manager Dusty Baker, according to a report from NBC Sports Bay Area. The deal, which is pending a medical review, has not been confirmed by the club. Obviously, this is from a couple of days ago. And then you have kind of a breakdown of who he is. Baker, a 27-year-old second basement, I didn't realize he was 27. But a 27-year-old second basement will reportedly join AAA Sacramento, which could put him in the mix for a September call-up with the club that his father managed for 10 seasons from 1993 to 2002. The younger Baker has already won iconic moment in a Giants uniform as he was famously scooped up at home plate by J.T. Snow during game five of the 2002 World Series against the Angels Baker, who was a three-year-old batboy at the time, ran home to retrieve a bat after Kenny Lofton tripled off the right field wall, but he quickly found himself in peril after

12:54accidentally rushing into oncoming traffic at the plate. For scoring from third, Snow alertly grabbed the young Baker by his jacket to save him from a possible collision with David Bell, who also came charging home from second on the plate. The incident prompted Major League Baseball to institute the Darren Baker rule, which requires all batboys and batgirls to be a minimum of 14 years old. A tenth round draft pick of the Nationals in 2021, Baker broke into the big leagues in 24 when he went seven for 14 over nine games with Washington, the Cal alum joined the wide socks on a minor league deal over the offseason, but he appeared in only 11 games with AAA Charlotte due to injury. He batted 206 with a 583 OPS over 34 at bats before he was released on July 31st. Baker is poised to become the second member of his family to be employed by the Giants as Dusty has been working as a special advisor to President of Baseball Operations, Buster

13:57Posey, since 2024. So Darren Baker, he's a guy who is clearly super familiar with the game. I think it's just a matter of figuring out who he's going to be at this level. He's in a situation where he's going to make his debut with the Giants he made his debut in the Major League a couple years ago. I think it's just since making that debut, things didn't really click for him. What's crazy is that when you just look at it with no context, he's hitting 500 in the majors. That doesn't make any sense. He's hitting 500 in the majors. He's 7 for 14. He can leave saying, yeah, I hit 500 in my Major League career. Now obviously the nationals, another team that have a lot of guys bouncing back and forth and things like that.

14:59He gets that opportunity and didn't really get another one. Then with the White Sox, the team that was bad for a hot second, then got good again. He just hasn't been able to grab on to something for his career. 271, 341, 333 in AAA. As an infielder, you think that he could do some things defensively, stolen 86 bases in his AAA career. So yeah, I don't know. I guess it's a curious case of maybe a bit of a tweener where you're not sure what he's going to bring to the table. He had seven home runs in the minors in total. He had four in AAA. I think maybe that's a little bit of what's going on here. Just not completely sure who he is and what he's going to be at this level. But glad the Giants are giving him an opportunity. It'll be really cool to see him in a Giants jersey.

16:01I do think we will see him in a Giants jersey. I have a feeling that we will probably sooner rather than later. And again, in a season where not much to cheer about, could be a cool story. And all he's shown the major so far is that he can't hit. So yeah, let's find out what else is there and what else he can bring to the table. One more segment with you. This is a fascinating one, an article about the possibility of the draft lottery ending and why that could really help the Giants. We're locked on Giants coming up. A big thank you to our friends at Amazon for this limited break. This back to school season spend less on your kids with Amazon. We all know how crazy the back to school shopping experience can be. Starts with a few items on the list. Then suddenly your shopping for supplies, clothes, lunch, gear, tech, and about 10 other things you didn't see coming. It adds up fast. Even when you think you have everything planned out and everything has been scheduled

17:02and organized, then it's 9 p.m. The night before school starts and somebody suddenly remembers they need folders, notebooks, markers, and apparently 12 other things nobody mentioned until now. Nothing gets to heart rate up quite like emergency school shopping. I'm convinced Primes delivered tomorrow before 7 a.m. feature was created exclusively for parents in this moment. I know my parents wish that they had this when I was still in school. So remember with Amazon's low back to school prices just spend less on your kids because every dollar you don't spend on them is a dollar you haven't spent on them. Shop back to school that Amazon and spend less on your kids. Last segment with you and this is a fascinating one. This is an article from over slot baseball dot com. It's from Joe Doyle and the title is is the MLB draft lottery dead. So here's how he starts it off. The MLB draft lottery sunset may be here.

18:03It may once again be a relic of yesterday. This is in a hot tick for the sake of one is just where the calendar and the bargaining table have left us. The lottery is four years old. It has not done the job it was hired to do and the labor agreement that created it runs out on December 1. Meaning after that date is a mystery, especially as it pertains to the MLB draft the format, the odds, the penalties, even whether the thing exists at all teams that spend all summer losing games will presumably walk into next spring still not knowing where they pick which could be good for the giants of collective bargaining the current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1 and the draft its structure its order its mechanics is not agreed upon by the league and the MLB player association one day past this season, not the lottery, not the bonus pools, not the pick penalties, none of it. The whole draft machine was a product of the 2022 CBA and when that document dissolves

19:07another blank canvas awaits the lottery has been held in December during the winter meetings as the off season gets going. But if the owners lock the players out on December 1st, there is no lottery held until baseball comes back online. You don't run the league during a lockout there are no ping pong balls. So he goes on to break down, here's the thing maybe scrapping the event altogether is a way to go the lottery hasn't done its job rewind to why it existed both the league and the union signed up on a draft lottery to solve two problems at once. The league wanted to discourage tanking, you know the practice of stripping a roster to the studs to lose your way to the top of the board. The union wanted losing teams to start being rewarded for losing and the bigger picture wanted a system that nudged clubs towards spending and competing rather than bottoming out on purpose. Parity was the North Star, spend more tank less spread the talent around. Three years in it has accomplished neither. All right, it is not increasing parity, it is not encouraging anyone to spend a dollar,

20:11they weren't already going to spend. What it has actually become is a punitive tool aimed at the seller. It has become a randomized penalty box for the team at the very bottom. Most of those struggling teams are trying to win, they are not all tanking. I would argue none explicitly are actually. A lot of them are just bad or young or unlucky or three years into a rebuild that hasn't turned yet. So you can check out that whole article. It is pretty good, not too much longer at overslotbaseball.com. All right, and I think it is interesting how this could help the giants is because the giants built into the protections, the giants being a big market team, since they just drafted fourth, they couldn't draft fourth again. They couldn't draft top five again because they are a big market. So the best the giants could draft is ten. If they eliminate the lottery and they just say go based on reverse order, traditionally

21:14how the NFL does it and the NFL somehow just doesn't, NBA at the change, they are tanking rules, baseball has tried stuff, the NFL just kind of lets you do what you got to do because I guess maybe the NFL is so fickle. You want to lose three seasons straight, somebody getting fired. So somebody probably going to get fired if you lose for three seasons straight. So the NFL does it that way. If the giants went back even in a short form, right, maybe they say hey, we are dealing so much with salary stuff and the salary caps and all that, let's just get rid of the lottery for now, three years and then talk about it, you know, the next go round. Then the giants, this terrible season, they would jump up, I think somebody said they would go back to fourth again. So that would be much better than drafting tenth after this terrible season that you don't even have a better, if the giants weren't a big market team, they'd have a better percentage,

22:18right, or the percentage would actually matter because of how bad they've been. Since they just draft the top four in a big market, it doesn't matter. If they say hey, we're not, we're not going to do the lottery this season or we're just going to kind of push it towards the next agreement and go reverse order how everyone typically does, then the giants would go back into the top five. And that would really, really put them in a crazy spot as far as their farm system is concerned. Now these are a lot of ifs and there's no promise that that would happen and there's no promise that they would move on from the, that they would move on from the lottery system, but nothing is set in stone anymore. So there is definitely a chance of that happening. We have no clue what's going to stay, what's going to leave and why it would stay or why it would leave. So there's a little, little North Star at the end of this terrible season where if for

23:19some reason the union or MLB or whoever, they say you know what this lottery thing, it's kind of just annoying. Nobody watch it, you know, nobody pays attention to it. Let's just move forward and focus on our other things and we'll just do reverse order for the next three years, whatever, whatever the case is, then the giants could be in a crazy, crazy position to grab another top five pick. I mean, I guess they could go on some crazy run here to end the season, but either way, they would be better than where they would, they currently are slated because of being a big market. So I'm not going to keep an eye on, I'm not sure if it's going to happen, but I certainly hope that it does for the giant sake. After that, then we can figure it out. But for this season in particular, yeah, fans, we deserve a top five pick. That is for sure. Thank you for listening to Lockdown Giants. Thank you for watching Lockdown Giants. Be sure to follow me on social media at the underscore styles, styles with an eye for

24:19those of you on video. We say into the first ever 24 seven National Lockdown Podcast Network YouTube channel. And audio, make sure you make your second listen, lock on MLB. We will talk to you on Monday. Until then, peace. On the list, then suddenly you're shopping for supplies, clothes, lunch gear, tech at about 10 other things you didn't see coming and it adds up fast. Like when you buy clothes for back to school and your kid has a growth spurt two weeks later and you're right back where you started. Sometimes it genuinely feels like they're growing faster than your budget can keep up or when the teacher's supply list arrives and somehow every item feels completely reasonable on its own.

25:20Then you add everything together and realize just how much stuff one kid needs for one school year and that's why finding low prices on all things you need makes such a big difference this time of year. So remember, with Amazon's low back to school prices, just spend less on your kids because every dollar you don't spend on them is a dollar you haven't spent on them. Shout back to school at Amazon and spend less on your kids. Thank you for making Lockdown your first listen every day. For your second listen, find the all night Lockdown MLB Game Night. Every game, every night until a World Series Champion is crowned. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find MLB Game Night on Lockdown MLB on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.