SF Giants take nephew of a team legend in third round of MLB Draft
SFGATE • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Francisco Giants selected pitcher Jackson Flora from UC Santa Barbara with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, aiming to bolster their pitching staff with a highly regarded prospect.
- Flora, a 21-year-old local Bay Area product, had a dominant final college season with a 1.06 ERA, 12-0 record, and a school-record 133 strikeouts, showcasing a fastball reaching up to 100 mph and a diverse pitching arsenal.
- The Giants also picked outfielder Peyton Bonds, nephew of Barry Bonds, in the third round (90th overall); Bonds batted .352 with 6 home runs at Rutgers University and was ranked 81st among draft prospects.
- Due to MLB Draft Lottery rules, the Giants cannot pick higher than 10th next year, making the acquisition of Flora at No. 4 particularly significant for the team's future pitching needs.
- The Giants also hold the 29th pick in the draft, acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, providing additional opportunities to strengthen their roster.
