Bickford, the Giants top-rated pitching prospect and two-time first-round pick  (2013 & 2015), has a projectable frame that includes long legs and a high waist. He’s listed at 200 pounds, but that may be adding some to his slender body. The frame can continue to add strength and muscle  without issues, and this added strength will only make him more durable for the grind of a full season. He showcases a loose, quick arm with a short circle arm action that allows him to get into position quickly. and at his best work downhill with plus extension. This extension gives the ball plus life that jumps to the plate.

My look was Bickford’s shortest outing of the season, and one where he did not have the double-plus stuff that other scouts have seen. He went  only three innings, giving up 10 base runners (five singles, four walks, 1 HBP) and two runs while throwing 69 pitches. His timing was off, causing him to drag his arm behind him and not consistently going down the hill. The off timing caused him to open up and overthrow, and it led to an inconsistent release point. Even though his control was off, Bickford still escaped serious damage and flashed his quality stuff (four K’s), which was enough to keep hitters off balance and his team in the game.

Even with inconsistent command, Bickford challenged hitters with the fastball early and often. The fastball worked 89-to-91 mph (T93) most of the night, and it had different action to each side of the plate. When he worked arm side, his two-seam had late bore in on RHH’s that could sink under the hands as well. When he went glove side, the ball had some lateral cut that was late moving at the plate. His fastball was most successful when he pitched up in the zone. In this location, the pitch had added life and was the source of swing and misses. He was also able to run a couple two-seamers backdoor off the plate to the RHH’s, freezing the hitters and getting the punch out. Bickford’s offspeed were limited and inconsistent, but both the slider and changeup flashed as potential plus pitches and work even better when he’s spotting the fastball. The slider (78-to-83) had good ¾ action, snapping with tight break at it’s best, though there were others where he didn’t getting on top of the pitch and it would get loose and a bit slurvy. I only saw the pitch during the first inning, but it has the makings of being an out pitch for him. The change (80-to-82) was deceptive as he kept his arm speed and the pitch bottomed as it approached the plate. Again the looks were limited, but the pitch flashed plus, and has continued to develop as Bickford has moved up levels.

Overall, I can understand why the Giants are high on him and like the upside that he possesses. I think he’s still two full seasons away from The Show, but the body will continue to get bigger and stronger without taking anything away from his velocity and become the frame of a frontline starter. For him to reach that potential, he will need to showcase command of all three pitches, but barring injury I like his chances. I’d like to see him one more time before I write a full report, but seeing as he’s already thrown 86 innings across two levels this season (vs. 22 IP in his abbreviated first season), I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants limit his innings to prevent arm fatigue and possibly get him ready for the Arizona Fall League.