Key Highlights :
     The San Francisco Giants have had a major-league impact from their latest crop of prospects earlier in the 2021 season than most expected, thanks to the aggressive promotions of Casey Schmitt and Patrick Bailey. But they aren't the only ones in the farm system who have moved quickly this season. Two 2022 draftees, one a second-round pick and one an undrafted free agent, excelled to such a degree in May that they were named Pitcher and Player of the Month in the Northwest and California Leagues.
     Left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, the 66th overall selection in the 2022 MLB draft, was named Pitcher of the Month in the High-A Northwest League. A 22-year-old from college with a changeup considered major-league ready, Whisenhunt posted a 1.42 ERA in six starts with High-A Eugene (1.69 in five May starts) with 36 strikeouts and eight walks in 25⅓ innings. He earned his second promotion of the season and was promoted to Double-A Richmond on Saturday.
     Outfielder Carter Howell, who signed for $50,000 out of Augustana University (Sioux Falls, S.D.), was named Hitter of the Month in the Single-A California League. Howell, 24, was promoted to Eugene last Tuesday after spending the first two months of the season as the leadoff man for Single-A San Jose. In 21 games in May, Howell hit safely in 19 of them, recorded multiple hits 11 times while leading the league in average (.372), hits (35) and runs (31), ranking second in total bases (54) and on-base percentage (.454) and third in OPS (1.028), with more walks (14) than strikeouts (13).
     The Giants have also aggressively promoted other prospects this season, including outfielder Heliot Ramos, who has proven why since reaching Triple-A. Ramos has hit safely in 14 of his first 18 games with Sacramento, including four games of three-plus hits in their recent six-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers. The 21-year-old began the year in High-A and is the youngest player in the Pacific Coast League.
     Left-hander Conner Menez has been dominant in all but one start since the start of May, recently earning his second PCL Pitcher of the Week award. With Alex Wood and Ross Stripling sidelined, is now the time for Harrison to debut? Working on a sharper slider and allowed an increased pitch count, Harrison has allowed one run on five hits in his past three outings, with 15 strikeouts (but still seven walks).
     The Giants also have RHP Gregory Santos, the 25-year-old 2018 draftee out of an Iowa Western JC with a triple-digit heater and devastating splitter; he’s also allowed only one earned run on seven hits in his past three outings, with 18 strikeouts and five walks.
     Outfielder Luis Matos is hitting .378 with a 1.141 OPS in 10 games since joining Double-A Richmond following rehab assignments for a knee injury.
     Right-hander Caleb Baragar, the rare player not expected to be a major-league contributor this season given a 40-man roster spot to protect him from the Rule 5 draft this past offseason, was promoted to Double-A Richmond on the same day as Whisenhunt. Cruz, 23, posted a 1.45 ERA and struck out 28 batters over 13 relief appearances with Eugene this year, including a stretch of nine scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts leading up to his promotion.
     The Giants’ top pick in the 2022 draft (30th overall), LHP/1B Nick Crawford, made his third start for Single-A San Jose on Tuesday and allowed the first runs of his professional career. Returning from Tommy John surgery, Crawford has struck out seven and has yet to walk a batter in 3⅔ innings. A two-way player, Crawford has started two games at designated hitter, going 2-for-7 with a double.
     The Giants’ top signee from the last international class, 17-year-old OF Marco Luciano ($2.7 million bonus), debuted in the Dominican Summer League, where he went 3-for-5 with a home run and a stolen base Tuesday in his second game.
     The San Francisco Giants have made major-league contributions from their latest crop of prospects earlier in the 2021 season than most expected, thanks to the aggressive promotions of Casey Schmitt and Patrick Bailey, and the impressive performances of Carson Whisenhunt and Carter Howell. Whisenhunt and Howell were both promoted to the next level after their respective monthly honors, and the Giants have continued to promote other prospects aggressively this season, including Heliot Ramos, Conner Menez, Gregory Santos, Luis Matos, Caleb Baragar, and Nick Crawford. The Giants also signed 17-year-old international free agent Marco Luciano, who made his debut in the Dominican Summer League this month. With these prospects making major contributions to the organization, the Giants are in a great position to make a run in the 2021 season.