MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help Giants in 2019

Sean Hjelle

Yes, we’re starting with the pitcher who stands at 6-foot-11 with freakish athleticism. He’s the kind of player that get’s you on the cover of Sports Illustrated and leading SportsCenter even with a mediocre-at-best team. Sean Hjelle can deal.

Being that tall is throwing off hitters in lower leagues. He was promoted to the San Jose Giants a couple weeks ago. He’s only made one start since, where he allowed three runs (one earned) over six innings.

Realistically, he’s still at Single A and has a while to go before he makes the Majors, but the way he’s been mowing down batters to start the season, the Giants would be hard pressed to keep him there long. The second-round pick from 2018 is already overpowering hitters to the tune of a 49-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s still allowing too many hits, but most of his hits end up being ground balls.

In a perfect world, the Giants would let him develop properly and give him the year to roam through the Minors, and they probably should in the long run. But at the same time he is unique. He could immediately come to the Giants and prove he can throw Major League hitters off with his size and arm angle. The rest could come over time.