The disappointing pursuit of a superstar over the winter was a reminder that the best path for the Giants is developing their own homegrown leaders. They'll have plenty of options at Scottsdale Stadium over the next couple of months.
The Giants announced their list of non-roster invitees for spring training on Monday and it included Kyle Harrison, Casey Schmitt and Vaun Brown, all of whom could contribute as soon as this season.
They'll all be in camp along with Marco Luciano and Luis Matos -- the organization's top infield and outfield prospects, respectively -- who guaranteed invites earlier this offseason by being selected to the 40-man roster. Former first-rounder Patrick Bailey also will be back in big league camp as a non-roster invitee.
The Giants announced 37 non-roster players, including a first for them: Someone designated as a two-way player. Former Rangers and Yankees first baseman Ronald Guzman signed with the organization earlier in the offseason and is attempting to add left-handed pitching to his work as an infielder.
When on the mound, Guzman will be one of 19 non-roster pitchers in camp. The biggest name is Harrison, as the organization's top pitching prospect will be in big league camp for the first time. The Giants expect Harrison to debut in the majors this season, and possibly early in the year, and the reports on him this winter have been glowing.
"His (bullpen sessions) have been electric," manager Gabe Kapler said at FanFest. "He's throwing hard. There's a real physical presence there."
San Francisco Giants
While many of the offseason additions had been previously reported or announced, the list does include Sean Newcomb, a left-handed reliever who was a top prospect with the Braves but has struggled to find big league consistency in recent years. It also includes R.J. Dabovich; the hard-throwing right-hander is one of the organization's top relief prospects and could push for a role early in the season.
The Giants have just one catcher -- Joey Bart -- on their 40-man roster, but they'll have six non-roster catchers in camp. Veteran Roberto Perez, who finalized a deal over the weekend, is the favorite to back up Bart. He'll be joined by Austin Wynns, Ricardo Genoves, Brett Cumberland, Bailey and Brett Auerbach, a versatile option who was one of the most impressive players in camp last spring before spending the year in Double-A.
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Brown reached Double-A in a breakthrough minor league year and should be one of the most-watched players in camp after hitting 23 homers and stealing 47 bases across three levels last year. He'll begin the season back in Double-A, but has a chance to make his debut in 2023.
Schmitt is expected to debut this year after a strong 2022 season. The third baseman is one of the best defensive prospects in baseball and Kapler said the staff will have him get some reps at shortstop this spring, as well.