Today marks the deadline to add eligible prospects to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. For the SF Giants, this year may not see many moves to protect players, but there are a few prospects who could be in line for a spot.
As of Monday evening, the Giants have just one open spot on their 40-man roster. This could change before the deadline, as there are a few areas where the team might make room, either through trades or waivers. However, if the Giants were planning to remove anyone from the roster, they likely would have done so by now.
Typically, teams only protect those players who are most at risk of being selected in the Rule 5 draft. For example, while Bryce Eldridge is expected to be with the Giants in 2025, he isn’t eligible for the Rule 5 draft this year, so he won’t be added at this time.
However, the Giants do have a few players from past years who may be worth considering for protection. Cole Waites, who is over a year removed from Tommy John surgery, is eligible if not protected, while Aeverson Arteaga, who missed most of the 2024 season after shoulder surgery, was a potential candidate last year. Arteaga saw limited action in 2024, while Waites missed the entire season, and both are seen as unlikely to be selected in the Rule 5 draft due to their recent injury histories.
Here are three prospects who could be added to the Giants’ 40-man roster:
1. Pitcher Carson Seymour
While his overall numbers don’t jump off the page, Carson Seymour had a solid season with the Sacramento River Cats in 2024. He posted a 4.82 ERA in 29 appearances, with a more impressive 3.92 ERA in 14 home games at the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Ballpark. Seymour registered an 8.8 K/9 rate and a 53.5% ground ball rate, showing he can get outs in multiple ways. He features a sinker that generates weak contact and a four-seam fastball that can reach 97 MPH, as well as a gyro slider as his primary secondary pitch. If the Giants add one player to the 40-man roster, Seymour is a strong candidate.
2. Pitcher Carson Ragsdale
Carson Ragsdale has battled injuries over the past couple of seasons but made a strong comeback in 2024. In 13 appearances for the River Cats, he posted a 5.03 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, and a 2.19 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has consistently posted strong strikeout numbers but has struggled with command at times. His fastball, which sits in the mid-90s, plays up due to his excellent extension, and he complements it with a solid 11-to-5 curveball. Though he’s worked as a starter, a move to the bullpen could be in his future, and his ability to generate strikeouts makes him a potential Rule 5 target for a team looking to develop him as a reliever.
3. Pitcher Juan Sánchez
It was somewhat surprising that Juan Sánchez didn’t break camp with the Giants in 2024, especially given the team’s need for another left-handed reliever. Sánchez impressed in spring training with a strong Cactus League performance and finished the season with a solid 3.93 ERA in 34.1 innings, though his strikeouts (35) were almost equal to his walks (28). The 24-year-old left-hander relies on a low 90s fastball and a changeup to get batters out, with similar arm action on both pitches, making it difficult for hitters to pick up. Sánchez finished the season on the injured list, but his skill set could still make him a candidate for the Rule 5 draft.
The Giants face some tough decisions as they look to protect the right prospects while keeping room on the roster for future moves.
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