Joe Panik

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #9 prospect in 2014
  An all-Big East Conference shortstop at St. John's, Panik hit .341 in his pro debut and was the short-season Northwest League MVP in 2011. He hasn't quite been able to replicate his early success, however. He injured his hamstring to spoil his first invitation to big league spring training, and the injury continued to affect him at Double-A Richmond, where he went through a horrific slump in June and July and struggled with his approach at times against lefthanders. Panik doesn't have standout tools, but he works deep counts, turns around quality fastballs and has some gap power. While he won't hit it over the fence, he's an unselfish hitter who has a knack for getting a runner home with less than two outs. He'll steal a base when you forget about him but is a fringe-average runner. Moving from shortstop to second base, he showed improved range and a better backhand. He has enough arm to turn double plays and solid infield actions. While some scouts think a Nick Punto-type utility role will be in his future, the Giants see a smart, contact-oriented No. 2 hitter in the mold of Marco Scutaro or Freddy Sanchez. Panik ought to get off to a cleaner start at Triple-A Fresno, and he could be in the big leagues in 2014 if the 38-year-old Scutaro needs relief.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #2 prospect in 2013
  Somewhat of a surprise selection as the 29th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Panik signed for $1.116 million and had a terrific pro debut, winning the short-season Northwest League MVP award and batting title (.341). He had a tougher time making the jump to high Class A in 2012, but he still drew more walks than strikeouts and hit .337 in the second half. Panik's bat remains his only plus tool, but no position player in the system is a better bet to become an everyday big leaguer. He works counts, makes consistent line-drive contact on all types of pitching and flashes some gap power. He has uncanny situational-hitting acumen and a terrific two-strike approach. Panik is an opportunistic baserunner despite average speed. Managers rated him the best defensive shortstop in the California League last year, though he's more reliable than flashy. He has average range and arm strength, and he gets rid of the ball quickly and makes accurate throws. Panik continues to establish himself as a smart, contact-oriented No. 2 hitter in the mold of Marco Scutaro or Freddy Sanchez--the kind of hitter who has even more value to the Giants, a team that must move runners in their spacious ballpark. It's probably a matter of time before Panik moves to second base, where he could form a smooth tandem with Brandon Crawford in another year or two. He'll open 2013 at Double-A Richmond.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #4 prospect in 2012
  Panik signed for $1,116,000 just days after the Giants drafted him 29th overall last June. He took the field seemingly trying to prove a point to scouts who felt he was an overdraft, winning short-season Northwest League MVP honors and earning a spot in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game. He led the NWL in hitting (.341), runs (49), hits (82), RBIs (54) and total bases (126). Panik's bat is his only standout tool and his intelligence and competitiveness make up for the rest. He's aggressive early in the count but very disciplined with two strikes. He has terrific bat control and reads pitchers well. He crowds the plate and jumps on pitchers who try to pound him inside, showing solid gap power. Some scouts think Panik profiles better as a second baseman, but he has good hands and positions himself well. His arm isn't a cannon, but his throws have good carry along with tremendous accuracy. He's an average runner but is sharp-witted on the bases too--no surprise for a player who had a 3.81 GPA as a finance major. San Francisco would love for Panik to take over second base in 2013 after Freddy Sanchez's contract expires. Panik will stay at shortstop in his first full pro season, likely jumping to high Class A to begin the year.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #20 prospect in 2012
  Overcoming a low start, Panik hit .337/.400/.438 in the second half. He utilizes an open setup with a compact swing, producing line drives from gap to gap. He was the toughest batter to strike out in the league, whiffing only once every 11.2 plate appearances. Aside from his hitting, none of Panik's other tools are very loud, but he earns praise as a solid all-around player. He won't hit many home runs and his speed is only fringy, so he won't be a big threat on the bases. He's not flashy at shortstop, but he's a reliable and intelligent defender who makes all the routine plays. Managers rated Panik the league's best defensive shortstop and his .972 fielding percentage topped the league at the position. He has an accurate throwing arm, but its strength is borderline for the position, an issue that dates back to labrum surgery he had after his freshman year at St. John's. Opinions are mixed as to whether he'll be able to stick at shortstop in the long term or have to move to second base, where he'd still have value as a lefthanded-hitting middle infielder.
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #4 prospect in 2011
  Panik wasn't viewed as a first-round talent by all teams before the Giants drafted him 29th overall in June, but he received nearly unanimous praise from NWL observers. The league MVP led the circuit in batting (.341), hits (92), runs (49) and RBIs (54). He's not flashy but he can do a little bit of everything. Panik grinds out quality at-bats, sprays line drives with a smooth lefthanded stroke and has some gap power. He has solid speed and range, and while his raw arm strength is fringy, he makes up for it with quick hands. He needs to improve on plays in the hole but should be able to stay at shortstop. "He's a blue-collar shortstop and he's going to play in the big leagues," a National League scout said. "He's very sound defensively, his feet are always in good position and he has enough arm. I'd hate to move him from short to second because I think it's going to put too much pressure on the bat, but he's an average runner and heady player."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Somewhat of a surprise selection as the 29th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Panik signed for $1,116,000 and had a terrific pro debut, winning the short-season Northwest League MVP award and batting title (.341). He had a tougher time making the jump to high Class A in 2012, but he still drew more walks than strikeouts and hit .337 in the second half. Scouting Report: Panik's bat remains his only plus tool, but no position player in the system is a better bet to become an everyday big leaguer. He works counts, makes consistent line-drive contact and flashes gap power. He has uncanny situational hitting acumen and a terrific two-strike approach. Panik is an opportunistic baserunner despite average speed. Managers rated him the best defensive shortstop in the California League last year, though he's more reliable than flashy. He has average range and arm strength, and he gets rid of the ball quickly and makes accurate throws. The Future: Panik continues to establish himself as a smart, contact-oriented No. 2 hitter in the mold of Marco Scutaro or Freddy Sanchez--the kind of hitter who has even more value to the Giants, a team that must move runners in their spacious ballpark. It's probably a matter of time before Panik moves to second base, where he could form a smooth tandem with Brandon Crawford in another year or two. He'll open 2013 at Double-A Richmond.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Panik signed for $1,116,000 just days after the Giants drafted him 29th overall last June. He took the field seemingly trying to prove a point to scouts who felt he was an overdraft, winning short-season Northwest League MVP honors and earning a spot in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game. He led the NWL in hitting (.341), runs (49), hits (82), RBIs (54) and total bases (126). Scouting Report: Panik's bat is his only standout tool and his intelligence and competitiveness make up for the rest. He's aggressive early in the count but very disciplined with two strikes. He has terrific bat control and reads pitchers well. He crowds the plate and jumps on pitchers who try to pound him inside, showing solid gap power. Some scouts think Panik profiles better as a second baseman, but he has good hands and positions himself well. His arm isn't a cannon, but his throws have good carry along with tremendous accuracy. He's an average runner but is sharp-witted on the bases too--no surprise for a player who had a 3.81 GPA as a finance major. The Future: San Francisco would love for Panik to take over second base in 2013 after Freddy Sanchez's contract expires. Panik will stay at shortstop in his first full pro season, likely jumping to high Class A to begin the year.