SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants do not like to set timetables for their top prospects, instead encouraging them to force their way into promotions. Christian Arroyo did that in April and Ryder Jones followed over the summer, and both should be in position to compete for the third base job next spring.
One of those two could ultimately fill a gaping hole in the lineup. When it comes to left field, one of their current River Cats teammates hopes to do the same. Chris Shaw is the organization's top prospect on some lists, and on all lists, he is their top power-hitting prospect.
The 23-year-old has 16 homers and 23 doubles across two levels this season, good for a .503 slugging percentage that's right in line with his mark (.502) over 269 professional games. Shaw is on the fast track, and he became more intriguing when the Giants - with Brandon Belt signed long-term at first - moved him to left full-time this season.
Shaw is doing what was asked of him. Earlier this week, I asked him if that has him thinking about a promotion.
"It's my motivation obviously to get to the big leagues, that's why you work so hard in the offseason is to put yourself in that position to be knocking on the door," he said. "But now, in season, you kind of put all your work in up to this point and everything else is a result of all your hard work up to this point. I don't necessarily put any extra pressure on myself because right now I just go out and play and whatever happens, happens.
"I can't dictate what falls and what doesn't fall and what my batting average is going to look like a month from now, and ultimately what the front office wants to do. I'm fully aware they don't have to add me this year. I trust in the front office in promoting me when they feel I'm ready developmentally."
The big problem for Shaw at the moment is that the Giants do not need to add him to the 40-man roster until after the 2018 season. They are big on inventory, and not keen on DFA'ing another player this year and taking up a winter roster spot over the offseason for a prospect who currently is not in the opening day plans for 2018. That's the paperwork side of this.
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On the field, Shaw is blocked by Gorkys Hernandez (who is now playing everyday), Jarrett Parker (who will finish his rehab assignment soon), Mac Williamson, and others. It remains a bit of a long shot that Shaw gets a September cameo, and when I checked in with team officials a week ago, the word was that it's not currently in the plans.
Having said that, the last-place Giants could certainly use some excitement and a glimpse of power. Shaw has some time left to change the front office's September plans. In the meantime, he's the latest guest on our Giants Insider podcast. The quote above is from the podcast, which you can stream here or download on iTunes here. We talked promotions, his move to left, his power, his post-deadline tweet last year, and more.
