Right-handed pitcher Kyle Crick was the only member of the San Francisco Giants farm system to crack MLB.com's recent Top 100 Prospects list, but the electric 22-year-old may be just one year away from not being a prospect at all.
After the 2015 campaign, Tim Hudson will be 40 years young and at the end of his current two-year contract, while Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong will both be eligible for free agency. With anywhere to one to three departures likely from that group, the Giants will likely give Crick a look in 2016.
But, will he be ready?
Follow our SF Giants team page for the latest SF Giants news!
"He's not far away," Bert Bradley, the Giants' coordinator of Minor League pitching, said, via MLB.com. "His stuff will play in the big leagues, but he has to command the ball."
Crick posted just a 6-7 record with a 3.79 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) for Double-A Richmond, but his 95-97 mph fastball has more than enough oomph Tto put people on notice.
"He started out pretty rough, really struggling to command the ball," Bradley said, explaining the right-hander's uneven 2014 campaign. "In the second half of the season, he started pitching shorter stints and his curveball got better, his changeup got better and his command overall got better, for the most part."
Add better control to a dominant fastball, and Crick's time may soon be ready to ply his trade by the Bay.
Back to the San Francisco Giants Newsfeed