The
announced on Friday that pitching prospect Keaton Winn (
) has developed right elbow soreness after his last start for Triple-A Sacramento and will be examined by Dr. Ken Akizuki in San Francisco on Saturday. An elbow injury for a pitcher is always concerning, but Winn missed the entire 2021 season with reconstructive UCL surgery. Obviously, the Giants hope he avoided a similarly severe injury.
Winn made his big-league debut with the Giants earlier this season and has a 4.09 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 22 innings pitched (five appearances) in the majors. He has also been the organization's most consistent starter at Triple-A Sacramento, recording a 4.47 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 25 walks in 52.1 innings pitched (15 games) in the incredibly hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
The Giants drafted Winn in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Iowa Western Community College and signed him away from a commitment to TCU. In college, Winn had flashed mid-90s velocity and an above-average slider but had been unable to sustain his premium velocity. Since turning pro, however, Winn has developed an excellent splitter that pairs well with a fastball that can reach the high-90s.
Winn's injury has some immediate implications for the Giants at the trade deadline. The team has a glut of viable starting pitching options and was expected to consolidate that depth by trading from that depth. However, Winn has looked like the best young option to replace a veteran. With his status up in the air, the Giants may be less likely to part with some of their veterans.
At his best, Keaton Winn has flashed the potential to be a solid mid-rotation arm with a comparable arsenal to former SF Giants ace Kevin Gausman. For now, though, the team's training staff is hoping he has avoided suffering a serious injury.
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