Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

JSerra Catholic High School has one of the most exciting programs in California, with 13 Division 1 recruits on its current roster. It was Silva who made it a baker’s dozen when he made the switch from Laguna Hills to JSerra for his senior season. He had to wait until late April to make his debut for his new team, which includes fellow members of this list in lefty Gage Jump and shortstop Cody Schrier, but scouts have long been familiar with Silva’s athleticism and arm strength.

Silva’s velocity has been on display at showcase events for years and evaluators will be checking in to watch his progress with his new school. He’s been 90-95 mph in the past, with reports of him touching 97 mph during the preseason. His breaking ball can be slurvy, looking like an upper-70s curve at times and having more of a slider look in the low 80s at others, but he does miss bats with it. He has feel for an 83-84 mph changeup as well.

While he’s typically around the zone, Silva will have to improve his overall command at the next level as he can often get away with bullying high school hitters with his velocity and getting them to chase his breaking stuff out of the zone, though there’s feel for pitching to give hope that will come in time. Teams will have to look past his size -- he’s a six-foot right-hander -- and if the Draft doesn’t work out, he could end up with his teammates Jump and Schrier at UCLA in the fall.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 126 prospect in the 2021 Draft class, Silva went to the Giants at 115th overall that summer as a California high schooler, and it took a $1.5 million bonus (the second-highest amount given out by San Francisco that year) to keep him away from UCLA. Silva posted ERAs above 5.00 at Single-A San Jose and High-A Eugene in 2022 and '23, respectively, and the Giants moved him to the bullpen this summer at Double-A Richmond with stronger results. The Tigers acquired the right-hander at the Trade Deadline in a straight-up swap for outfielder Mark Canha.

Even with a move to the bullpen, Silva won’t show big velocity with a pair of fastballs in the low 90s, but the running action of his sinker and ride of his four-seamer can be effective. Where he’s at his best is with a feel for spin -- he’ll throw a darting slider that peels away from righties and a curveball that drops straight down below bats. He also has a good enough changeup with enough depth to keep lefties honest, and opposite-side hitters had just a .193 average against him at the time of the trade in 2024.

Silva’s control has been steadily improving throughout 2024 as he’s gotten more comfortable in his new role. With that in mind, the Tigers might be acquiring him at the right time in his development cycle. With his pair of breaking balls and split-proof arsenal, Silva could be ready for looks in Detroit’s Major League bullpen as early as next year.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40 

JSerra Catholic HS (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) has sent Austin Hedges and Royce Lewis to the big leagues and featured 13 NCAA Division I recruits on its 2021 team. The highest pick among that group was Silva, who gave up a UCLA scholarship to sign for $1,497,500 (nearly triple slot value) in the third round. Though he got tagged for a 5.88 ERA in Single-A during his first full pro season, he impressed scouts with what could be the best four-pitch mix in the system. 

Silva's quick arm generates 92-95 mph four-seam fastballs that reach 97 with a low release height that produces plenty of riding action up in the zone. He has good feel for spin and his plus 82-85 mph slider with horizontal and vertical life misses more bats than his solid upper-70s curveball with more depth. He's making progress with a mid-80s changeup with fade, though it gets too firm at times. 

Silva isn't very physical at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, and his control and command wavered when he tired in the second half of 2022. He needs to get stronger so he can do a better job of maintaining stuff and strikes. More shortstop than pitcher at the start of his high school career, he's a quality athlete. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

More of a shortstop than a pitcher when he first got to Laguna Beach (Calif.) High, Silva knew his future was on the mound when he transferred to JSerra Catholic High (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) for his 2021 senior season. The Lions have spawned Austin Hedges and 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis, and Silva was one of 13 NCAA Division I recruits on their team last spring. The highest pick among that group, he gave up a UCLA commitment to sign for $1,497,500, nearly triple his slot value in the fourth round.  

Silva isn't particularly physical at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, yet he has a quick arm that produces 92-95 mph four-seam fastballs that peak at 97 and feature a flat attack angle that provides tough carry up in the zone. He has a pair of quality breaking balls that miss bats, with his low-80s slider with horizontal action and depth perhaps slightly better than his upper-70s curveball with more downer break. He shows some feel for throwing a changeup with fade, though it needs more consistent velocity separation from his fastball.  

Silva provides strikes but like most young pitchers, he'll need to refine his command as he faces more advanced hitters. Despite his size, his arm speed and athleticism can help him remain a starter. To do so, he'll have to show that his stuff will hold up over a long pro season, and he has done that in 2022. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Silva began his prep career as more of a shortstop than a pitcher at Laguna Beach (Calif.) High, but his future clearly was on the mound by the time he transferred to JSerra Catholic High (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) for his 2021 senior season. Part of a loaded Lions roster that featured 13 NCAA Division I recruits, he was the highest pick among them as a fourth-rounder by the Giants. They signed him away from a UCLA commitment for $1,497,500, nearly triple his slot value.

Though he's not especially physical at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Silva has a quick arm that delivers four-seam fastballs that usually range from 90-95 mph and top out at 97 with riding action. He'll flash a solid breaking ball and miss bats with it, though it varies in velocity and shape from a low-80s slider to an upper-70s curveball. He also has some aptitude for throwing a fading changeup, though it gets too firm at times.

Silva generally throws strikes but will need to upgrade his command to land his secondary pitches where he wants against more advanced hitters. While he lacks size, his arm speed and athleticism may allow him to remain a starter. He'll have to prove he can maintain his stuff over a full pro season.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Scottsdale Scorpions.
	07/31/2024	Erie SeaWolves activated RHP Eric Silva.
	07/31/2024	Erie SeaWolves activated RHP Eric Silva.
	07/30/2024	Detroit Tigers traded LF Mark Canha to San Francisco Giants for RHP Eric Silva.
	07/30/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Erie SeaWolves.
	04/02/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Giants Organization from Eugene Emeralds.
	04/02/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Richmond Flying Squirrels.
	03/22/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to San Francisco Giants.
	03/14/2024	RHP Eric Silva assigned to San Francisco Giants Prospects.
	07/21/2023	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Eugene Emeralds from ACL Giants Black.
	07/08/2023	RHP Eric Silva assigned to ACL Giants Black from Eugene Emeralds.
	04/04/2023	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Eugene Emeralds.
	09/23/2022	San Jose Giants activated RHP Eric Silva from the 7-day injured list.
	09/23/2022	San Jose Giants activated RHP Eric Silva from the 7-day injured list.
	08/30/2022	San Jose Giants placed RHP Eric Silva on the 7-day injured list.
	04/05/2022	RHP Eric Silva assigned to San Jose Giants from ACL Giants Orange.
	09/11/2021	RHP Eric Silva assigned to ACL Giants Orange from Giants Organization.
	08/17/2021	RHP Eric Silva assigned to Giants Organization.
	07/31/2021	San Francisco Giants signed RHP Eric Silva.
	07/05/2021	RHP Eric Silva and assigned to College Workout.