When fans think of the San Francisco Giants’ minor league system, there are a few names that immediately come to mind. Bryce Eldridge, who looks like a future All-Star despite being just 20 years old, is on the minds of every Bay Area backer due to the amazing upside he possesses.
But further down the chain are two players with similar skills who play essentially the same two positions. Both Gavin Kilen (currently ranked as the Giants no. 3 prospect) and his San Jose Giants teammate, Walker Martin, are making their way through the system playing both shortstop and second base. Once they figure out who’s going to play where, the two have an opportunity to form the defensive nucleus of future Giants teams for years to come.
Kilen is a product of the University of Tennessee, and is considered the more polished player of the two. He’s expected to start at Double-A next season, with an eye for quick advancement. Drafted by San Francisco with the 13th overall selection of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft, Kilen had a .357 batting average, along with 75 hits, 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 60 runs in his final college season.
The Giants could have a promising Keystone Combination