MLB Pipeline published its top 10 third base prospects for 2026. SF Giants corner infield prospect Parks Harber was a surprise entrant on the list, coming in at No. 10.
-->MLB Pipeline published its top 10 third base prospects for 2026. SF Giants corner infield prospect Parks Harber was a surprise entrant on the list, coming in at No. 10.
MLB Pipeline’s top 10 third base prospects for 2026 includes surprise SF Giants entrant
That is a pretty nice recognition for a prospect who went undrafted not that long ago. Harber played his final college season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Despite posting a 1.073 OPS with 20 home runs and 63 RBI, his name was not called during the 2024 draft.
Harber signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent. He has done nothing but hit in his brief career since becoming a pro.
The right-handed bat began last season in Low-A, which he quickly proved was too conservative of an assignment. He appeared in 34 games with the Yankees’ High-A affiliate before landing on the injured list.
That turned out to be the end of his stint in the Yankees organization. The Giants acquired Harber in a five-player move that sent hard-throwing reliever Camilo Doval to New York.
The 24-year-old hitter went on a tear at the plate following the deal, slashing .333/.454/.644 (196 wRC+) with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and 20 runs in 108 plate appearances with the Eugene Emeralds. This includes a 14.8 percent walk rate, 20.4 percent strikeout rate, and an exceptionally high .310 ISO.
There is a good chance that Harber would have been promoted to Double-A by the end of the season, if he had not spent nearly two months on the injured list. The Giants rewaredd him with an invite to the Arizona Fall Leaguewhere he posted a 1.196 OPS with three home runs and 15 RBI in 76 plate appearances.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline recognized the unlikely path Harber has taken thus far:
“Harber wasn’t even on San Francisco’s Top 30 until October. But he opened eyes with a .970 OPS in A ball in 2025 and then led the Arizona Fall League with 12 extra-base hits to put himself on the radar.”
Jonathan Mayo on Parks Harber
Harber will likely move up to Double-A to begin next season. That has proven to be a good litmus test for Giants prospects in the past. If he continues to excel in a tough hitter’s league, he will be a Giants prospect to follow next season.
SAN FRANCISCO, January 22, 2026 – Parks Harber, a corner infield prospect for the San Francisco Giants, is turning heads after being named to MLB Pipeline’s top 10 third base prospects for 2026. It’s a surprising inclusion for a player who wasn’t even on most radars just months ago.
From Undrafted to Top 10: Harber’s Ascent
Harber’s unexpected rise highlights a remarkable journey from going undrafted to becoming a player to watch.
- Harber was initially overlooked in the 2024 MLB draft despite a stellar final college season.
- After signing with the Yankees as a free agent, he quickly demonstrated his hitting prowess.
- A trade to the Giants sparked an offensive explosion, propelling him onto prospect lists.
- Harber’s performance in the Arizona Fall League further solidified his status as a rising star.
The 24-year-old’s journey is anything but conventional. After a dominant final season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—where he posted a .1073 OPS with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs—Harber’s name wasn’t called during the 2024 draft. But that didn’t deter him. He signed with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent and immediately began to hit.
A Trade That Changed Everything
Harber began the 2025 season in Low-A ball, quickly outgrowing the competition and earning a promotion to High-A. His time with the Yankees was cut short, however, as he landed on the injured list. Shortly after, he became a key piece in a five-player trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Camilo Doval to New York.
The change of scenery ignited Harber’s bat. With the Eugene Emeralds, he slashed .333/.454/.644 (196 wRC+) with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and 20 runs in 108 plate appearances. His impressive stat line included a 14.8 percent walk rate, a 20.4 percent strikeout rate, and a remarkable .310 ISO. A late-season injury sidelined him for nearly two months, but the Giants recognized his potential, inviting him to participate in the Arizona Fall League.
In the Arizona Fall League, Harber continued to shine, posting a 1.196 OPS with three home runs and 15 RBI in 76 plate appearances. His performance didn’t go unnoticed.
“Harber wasn’t even on San Francisco’s Top 30 until October. But he opened eyes with a .970 OPS in A ball in 2025 and then led the Arizona Fall League with 12 extra-base hits to put himself on the radar,” noted Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline.
Looking ahead, Harber is expected to begin the next season in Double-A. This level has historically served as a crucial test for Giants prospects, and if Harber continues his upward trajectory in a challenging hitting environment, he’ll undoubtedly become a name Giants fans will want to remember.
