Giants’ Pitching Prospects: Three Carsons Knocking on the Door
SCOTTSDALE — The Giants’ front office made a strategic move this spring by reducing the number of non-roster invitees to big league camp, making life a bit easier for the clubhouse staff. However, this decision also brought a fun twist for the veterans who planned to spend the first few days getting to know the small group of newcomers. In the middle of the room, two tall right-handers, Carson Seymour and Carson Ragsdale, are lockered side by side. Both are wearing consecutive numbers: Seymour dons No. 78, and Ragsdale sports No. 77. They were even added to the 40-man roster on the same day this offseason, adding another layer of similarity.
Distinguishing the Carsons
How do teammates tell these two apart? “He’s a little bit taller,” the 6-foot-6 Seymour quipped about the 6-foot-8 Ragsdale. But Seymour also adds a playful note, “But I like to say I’m a little bit more handsome.” Joking aside, both pitchers bring unique strengths to the table. Seymour, acquired in the Darin Ruf-J.D. Davis trade, is known for his reliable sinker and ability to get quick outs. Ragsdale, who was part of the Sam Coonrod trade, boasts a mid-90s four-seamer, a curve, and a splitter, and has shown a high strikeout rate throughout his minor league career.
The Third Carson: Whisenhunt
Adding to the Carson conundrum is a third pitcher, Carson Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt, unlike Seymour and Ragsdale, is a left-handed pitcher and has long, blonde hair, making him easily distinguishable. Last season, Whisenhunt spent the entire year in Triple-A and struck out 11.6 batters per nine innings. Giants officials have always been confident in Whisenhunt’s potential, especially his 2.34 ERA when pitching in Sacramento. His development has been focused on refining his repertoire, including the addition of a slider to complement his already impressive changeup and fastball.
The Path to the Big Leagues
The Giants’ front office, under the leadership of Farhan Zaidi, has been strategic in acquiring and developing players like the three Carsons. Whisenhunt, a second-round pick in 2022, is considered a top 100 prospect in the game. Seymour and Ragsdale, acquired in trades, have shown significant promise in the minors. Seymour, at 26, had a 4.82 ERA in Triple-A but excelled at home with a 3.92 ERA and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Ragsdale, also 26, posted a 3.49 ERA in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A, where he continued to rack up strikeouts.
Adjustments and Development
Whisenhunt’s development has been a key focus for the Giants. He made a notable change to his repertoire last year, switching from a curveball to a slider as his third pitch. “The changeup has been a key to my entire arsenal, but the big thing we talked about at the end of last year was, let’s find a good third pitch because the curve wasn’t consistent enough,” Whisenhunt explained. “We went to the slider and I’m consistent with it. I feel good enough right now to where I can throw it and save the changeup for later in counts or in games.” This adjustment has solidified his position as a potential long-term rotation starter for the Giants.
The Future is Bright
The Giants view young starting pitching as a significant strength, both on their active roster and within their organization. The three Carsons are a crucial part of this belief. Both Seymour and Ragsdale were added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, a clear indication that the Giants see them as essential to their future plans. General Manager Zack Minasian praised their potential: “It’s upper-level starting pitching, both have really good arms, both have success in their past,” he said. “Both pitchers are pitchers I’m really familiar with having been acquired in trades, and our player development people really liked them. Yeah, it felt like easy adds.”
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 season approaches, the three Carsons are set to start the year in the Triple-A rotation. The path to the big leagues is clearer than ever, and the Giants are confident that these young pitchers will play a significant role in the team’s future success. Whether it’s Seymour with his sinker, Ragsdale with his high strikeout rate, or Whisenhunt with his diverse arsenal, the future of the Giants’ pitching staff looks bright. Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely as these talented prospects continue to develop and make their mark in the organization.
