SAN FRANCISCO — When Randy Winn got called up to the big leagues by Tampa Bay in 1998, his Triple-A team’s trainer drove him more than two hours to the airport. Staffs were small back then, with every coach and trainer in the minors taking on added responsibilities, but these days, a lot of affiliates are starting to mirror life in the big leagues. 

Winn has seen those changes over the past year after taking over as vice president of player development for the Giants. Their minor-league facility in Scottsdale is better than their big-league one, and at their affiliates, everything continues to get bigger and better. 

But one thing hasn’t changed. 

The goal still is the same, finding the best way to get the best talent to the big leagues. While the Giants are not generally known for having one of the game’s best farm systems, it is a group that is on the rise, particularly on the position player side. Their top-six prospects are hitters, per MLB Pipeline, and that number will go up when Venezuelan shortstop Luis Hernandez officially joins prospect lists. 

It’s been more than a decade since the Giants were consistently developing star position players. The hope is that this group brings those days back to Oracle Park, and Winn now is in charge of that effort. 

On last week’s “Giants Talk” podcast, he gave updates on three of the system’s most talented hitters, starting with last year’s top international hitter: 

Josuar Gonzalez: The 18-year-old shortstop stole 33 bases in 52 games in the Dominican Summer League last summer and posted a .404 on-base percentage. Scouts have compared the switch-hitter to Francisco Lindor. 

“The kid has tremendous raw ability,” Winn said. “He’s super-young. He’s got speed, he’s got defense, he’s got some bat-to-ball, he’s got a little bit of power — we don’t want him to focus on that right now. But we really think highly of him. He was well thought of, obviously, when we signed him. He had a really good year down in the DSL. I believe he was named the top prospect in the DSL. He stole (33) bases. 

“He’s basically able to impact the game in more than one way. He impacts it with his bat, he impacts it when he’s on first base, pitchers have to think about him, he’s able to steal, he goes first to third. He’s a very exciting player, and then defensively he showed some real maturity. He has a good sense for the game in terms of game clock. He made some really impressive defensive plays, so (he’s) a very exciting kid with a lot in front of him.”

Bo Davidson: Undrafted out of college, the 23-year-old now is the organization’s fifth-best prospect. He had a .844 OPS with 18 homers across two levels and finished 2025 in Double-A. 

“(He’s) a left-handed hitter (and) the ball comes off his bat differently. You hear about that maybe in golf if you’re walking down the range or in baseball you’re walking past the cage and you hear a sound — that’s how the ball comes off Bo’s bat. A center fielder, he didn’t steal a ton of bases (but) hit leadoff and third this year and we’re hoping that he can become a little bit more aggressive on the basepaths. That’s something I talked to him about. 

“But in terms of controlling the zone, making a difference with his bat, making a difference with his glove, he really had a good year. He was a guy that came in undrafted, so he’s really had to work and put up numbers and improve each and every year for this recognition that he’s gotten. I think that’s well deserved.”

Dakota Jordan: Signed to an over-slot deal in 2024, the 22-year-old was limited by injuries last season but hit .311 with 14 homers and 27 steals in just 88 games for Low-A San Jose.

“He was well on his way to being probably the player of the year in the California League. He was having that type of season on a team that was playing outstanding. He was the glue, he was hitting third on that team, he played center field, had some really good leadership qualities, is very physically gifted. He did a really nice job (with) situational hitting, putting the ball in play, controlling the zone, running the bases, he hit for average, he hit for power (and) he stole bases. 

“He, kind of like Josuar, was able to impact the game on both sides of the ball. He played a really good center field. He’s really, really gifted and we’re really excited about it. We’re excited for him to be healthy — he is healthy and is having a good offseason. We’re excited for him to come in next year and hopefully replicate and build on what he did last year.”

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