SAN FRANCISCO -- Will Clark wore a suit and stood behind a podium on a Saturday night late last month, but for the rest of that homestand he was back on the dirt, a Giants logo across his chest and a baseball hat on his head. Two decades after he hung it up, Clark still loves to talk and teach the game, and his role in the Giants front office often allows him to do that in the minor leagues.
On Monday's Giants Talk podcast, Clark discussed his trips to the minor leagues and pointed out players who have stood out to him. The first prospect who has caught his eye is one of the fastest risers in the Giants' system.
"One of the guys y'all don't talk about -- and I've had a chance to see him this year and he's made a huge impression -- is an outfielder by the name of Vaun Brown," Clark said. "He was in San Jose, he was leading the team in homers, RBI, stolen bases, batting average -- he was doing a great job. And they bumped him up to Eugene and he kind of hasn't missed a beat.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"He's taking up in Eugene where he left off in San Jose. He's a big, big part of that team down there."
Brown, a 10th-round pick in 2021, has been one of the best stories of the season for a Giants farm system that has had some disappointments. The athletic outfielder hit .347 in San Jose with 14 homers and 23 stolen bases and has kept the production up since a promotion to High-A Eugene. In 92 games across the two levels, Brown has a .343/.424/.629 slash line with 23 homers and 36 stolen bases.
As a pick out of college, the 24-year-old has been a bit old for the levels, but the Giants are thrilled with the progress. On the position player side, Clark also highlighted Casey Schmitt, a third baseman who is being compared by some evaluators to a young Matt Chapman. Schmitt is a "Gold Glove-caliber third baseman," said Clark, noting that he just needs to cut down on his strikeouts to reach his potential.
Of course, the biggest success story of the minor league season for the Giants has been Kyle Harrison. The lefty is now a top 20 prospect overall and continues to dominate opposing hitters, with a 2.92 ERA and 13.4 K/9 since a promotion to Double-A.
San Francisco Giants
RELATED: Camilo Doval hits 103 mph with eye-opening ninth inning
Clark has seen Harrison throw some gems and said he likes that he can dial the fastball up a few notches when he needs to. The Giants legend thinks Harrison just needs to tighten up his breaking ball and changeup before he's ready for the big leagues.
"I've had a chance to sit down and talk to him a few times. Super competitive, has a great demeanor on the mound," Clark said of Harrison. "He came out of high school, you've got to remember that. He's a real young kid and he's learning on the fly and he's soaking it in, taking it all up. He will be a Major Leaguer, it's just a question of when."