Giants Set to Unleash Top Prospect Carson Whisenhunt in Monday’s Start
A highly anticipated debut is on the horizon for the San Francisco Giants as they turn to top pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt to bolster a rotation facing challenges. The announcement came following Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the New York Mets, with manager Bob Melvin confirming Whisenhunt will take the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
The Giants’ pitching staff has been in a state of flux recently, prompted by the demotion of Hayden Birdsong and an injury to Landen Roupp. This created an immediate need for a fresh arm, and the organization believes the time is right for Whisenhunt to make the leap to the major leagues. “We’ve been waiting for this for a little bit now,” Melvin stated. “We thought maybe he’d be here last year, too. He’s our top pitching prospect, I believe. With what’s going on with the injury and Bird going down, there’s a need for it. It’ll be exciting to see him pitch.”
Rising Star: Whisenhunt’s Journey to the Majors
The 24-year-old left-hander has quickly ascended through the Giants’ farm system, showcasing impressive talent and potential. Whisenhunt recently represented the organization alongside undrafted reliever Trent Harris at the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, successfully retiring both batters he faced. This season, pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, he has maintained a 4.42 ERA with an impressive 86 strikeouts over 97 2/3 innings.
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft, Whisenhunt began the 2025 season strong, posting a 3.00 ERA over his first nine starts and earning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors twice. He demonstrated remarkable consistency, completing seven innings in four consecutive outings and racking up 28 strikeouts over 28 innings. While his performance dipped somewhat in his last nine starts, with a 5.98 ERA over 46 2/3 innings, his overall body of work has convinced the Giants he’s ready for the challenge.
Elite Changeup and Strategic Matchup
Whisenhunt’s most devastating weapon is widely considered to be his changeup, an offspeed pitch that scouts have rated exceptionally high. According to FanGraphs’ 20-80 scouting scale, Whisenhunt’s changeup received a score of 80, indicating an elite-level offering.
The timing of Whisenhunt’s debut is also strategic. He will face the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team currently ranked last in Major League Baseball in OPS (.640), suggesting a favorable matchup for the young pitcher. His most recent outing occurred on July 20, where he pitched 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. The length of his outing on Monday will largely depend on his efficiency against the Pirates’ lineup.
The Giants’ “Carsons” and Bullpen Outlook
Following Whisenhunt’s start, right-hander Carson Seymour is likely to be available out of the bullpen. Seymour, along with Whisenhunt and Carson Ragsdale (currently pitching for Triple-A Sacramento), form a unique trio of “Carsons” within the Giants organization. Seymour himself has impressed this season, allowing only two runs over six innings of work.
“It was fun to watch,” Seymour said, having observed Whisenhunt up close in the dugout. “It’s a legit changeup, for sure. The fastball’s good. The sequencing is great. … He’s a great pitcher, really good pitcher.”
The Giants are hoping Whisenhunt’s arrival will provide a much-needed boost to their pitching rotation and signal the beginning of a bright future for the franchise.
