Thread by @maddelucchi

I'm seeing a growing "the real issue with Farhan Zaidi is the farm system" thing and I want to address some misperceptions that I'm seeing. I'm critical of the #SFGiants front office, but at worst, the jury is out on their drafts, and I think it's trending positively. (1/9)

First off, Zaidi has had 4 drafts, and his scouting director missed the first one because of his wife's passing. Most MLB players take 3-5 years in the minors (Yes, even stars). At most, there's just one class with reasonable expectations that folks should be in the majors. (2/9)

The Giants 2019 class has already produced 2 MLB players (Caleb Kilian/Cole Waites) and another headed for the White Sox OD roster (Nick Avila). Tyler Fitzgerald has a good chance to reach the majors in 2023, and Grant McCray/Trevor McDonald had breakout 2022 seasons. (3/9)

And remember that minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft folks were panicking about? Three of those players were a part of the Giants 2019 draft class (Armani Smith, Taylor Rashi, and Brooks Crawford), suggesting scouts on other teams were high on the depth of the class. (4/9)

The Giants 2020 draft class was depleted because MLB cut the draft to just five rounds. Still, they added three prospects already on the cusp of an MLB debut (Kyle Harrison, Casey Schmitt, and RJ Dabovich). The four other picks are still at least peripheral prospects. (5/9)

The Giants 2021 draft class has already had two players reach Double-A (Vaun Brown, Landen Roupp), and two other pitchers who a good number of scouts raving about them this season (Mason Black, Eric Silva). (6/9)

All of the first-round picks in those classes have underperformed. None have even reached Double-A. That's a reason for concern. But the fact they've found good prospects later in the draft makes me bullish on their chances to do better at the top. (7/9)

You can't blame Zaidi's player acquisition for the prospects in the system when he was hired. If you want to say his PD failed because Heliot Ramos and Joey Bart stalled you can, BUT carryovers like David Villar, Camilo Doval, and Logan Webb have thrived since FZ was hired. (8/9)

Also, for context, the first player to reach an ASG drafted during Brian Sabean's tenure as GM was Tim Lincecum in 2008. He was hired in 1996.
The industry has improved a lot, but I think a lot of folks have unrealistic expectations of what to expect from a farm system. (9/9)