​PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 season is shaping up to emphasize what the San Francisco Giants have in the pipeline more than what the club has endured. Sunday offered a prime chance to scout two of the Giants’ top prospects: Gavin Kilen, last year’s first-round pick, and the fast-rising outfielder Dakota Jordan, both taking part in the Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park.
Both players are slated for a promotion to Double-A Richmond this week, they told the Chronicle after the American League beat the National League 6-1. They’re also mindful of Jonah Cox’s unusual jump from Richmond straight to the majors this year, and Bryce Eldridge’s rapid ascent from Eugene two years ago to the Giants’ big-league roster by the end of last season. Jordan doubled in his only plate appearance on Sunday, while Kilen went 0-for-1.
Kilen, pronounced “Key-lin,” has already spent time with big-league manager Tony Vitello; he was Tennessee’s starting shortstop last year. The two keep in touch, texting roughly once a month, and Vitello keeps up with Kilen’s progress. “He’s a silent killer,” Vitello said. “Not a lot of extra flair, but he’s intensely convicted in who he is. He’ll argue his point if he believes something different, not disrespectfully, but he’s got that Max Scherzer-type tendency to die on his sword for his opinion, which makes him mentally strong as a player.”
Kilen himself appreciates Vitello’s communication style, which often comes in parables that circle back to the point. He was stunned when Vitello’s name surfaced in connection with the Giants last offseason. During a long process, Kilen once told him, “Hey, man, what a great opportunity for you, and you’ve built such a great thing at Tennessee, where, either way you go, everyone’s going to respect you and support you.”
Kilen is primarily handling shortstop at Eugene but has also seen time at second base with Jhonny Level’s promotion. He feels comfortable at both positions and also started Sunday in the NL’s infield. The Giants still view him as mostly a shortstop, even with a crowded system featuring several highly regarded in-house shortstops, such as top prospect Josuar Gonzalez, Luis Hernández, and Level.
“I think the biggest surprise, at least for me personally, is how well he’s played at shortstop,” said Kyle Haines, the Giants’ director of player development. “Coming out of the draft there was more talk about second base, but Gavin has played exceptionally well to our eye test and with the run values and other defensive metrics we value. He’s not flashy, but he has superb instincts, a strong internal clock, is very sure-handed, and he’s accurate.”
Despite an offseason illness that briefly hospitalized him and left him 25 pounds lighter, Kilen has hit .282 with nine homers, and his 65 RBIs sit second in the Northwest League, trailing only one other player in that category. As he prepares for a new rung on the ladder, the high-level feedback coming from the organization highlights his steady approach, his defensive versatility, and the quiet intensity that could help him thrive in higher-leverage environments. The road ahead for Kilen and Jordan is filled with opportunity, and the Giants appear eager to see how their promising talents translate to Double-A and beyond.