The SF Giants recently promoted left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt ( Giants #9 prospect) to Double-A Richmond and outfielder Carter Howell to High-A Eugene. On Monday, they were named a May Player of the Month for their previous leagues. Howell, was named the position Player of the Month in the Single-A California League while Whisenhunt was named the Pitcher of the Month for the High-A Northwest League.
Whisenhunt, the Giants 2022 second-round pick out of East Carolina, has rapidly ascended through the minor league ranks. After starting the season at Single-A San Jose, Whisenhunt has already been promoted twice and reached the upper minors. On the season, Whisenhunt has a 2.08 ERA across 10 starts (39 innings pitched) with 56 strikeouts and 12 walks. In May, Whisenhunt did not allow a run in three of his five appearances, racking up 30 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched with a 1.69 ERA.
Howell has been exceptional this season. After hitting .310/.412/.379 in nine Rookie League games last year, Howell has hit the ground running this season in full-season ball. Howell hit .337/.398/.500 in 39 games at Single-A prior to his promotion, and has an OPS north of 1.000 through his first week at High-A. In May, Howell posted a .372/.454/.574 triple-slash, leading the league in batting average, hits, and runs alongside a second-place finish in total bases and on-base percentage.
Unlike Whisenhunt, Howell came with far less fanfare as a part of the Giants 2022 class. Howell was signed as a non-drafted free agent last July out of Augustana University, a Division-II school in South Dakota. A three-year starter at Augustana, Howell dominated the college competition. Over his final two college seasons, he posted an OPS north of 1.100 over that span with 23 doubles, seven triples, 27 home runs, 51 stolen bases (56 attempts), 36 walks, and 42 strikeouts in 496 plate appearances.
Several players throughout the SF Giants farm system have gotten off to great starts this season. Outfielder Carter Howell and starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt stood above the rest in May and were selected as the best players in their leagues prior to recent promotions.
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