Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 65 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50 

After batting .396/.479/.634 as a sophomore at Kansas last spring, Ahuna looked like he might become the Jayhawks' first-ever first-round pick. Instead, he became one of the highest-profile players to enter the transfer portal and moved on to Tennessee, where he missed the first two weeks of the 2023 season while awaiting NCAA clearance. After a lackluster summer that included brief stints in the Cape Cod League and with the U.S. Collegiate National Team, he has struggled to make consistent contact with the Volunteers and dropped into second-round consideration.  

Ahuna employs an aggressive approach and uses a leg kick, and he's not barreling the ball as regularly as he had in the past. He's a streaky hitter because his left-handed swing gets too long and he hasn't shown much ability to make adjustments. He uses an uppercut stroke to produce surprising power for someone listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds and has the upside of 15-20 homers per season. 

While he has slumped at the plate, Ahuna has continued to stand out in other areas. He's a quality defender at shortstop, where he can make all the plays and all the throws with outstanding body control and a strong arm, though he needs to improve his consistency. He has well above-average speed but isn't a prolific basestealer.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 65 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45  

Brandon Crawford projected as a first-round pick in 2008, then had a rough spring at UCLA before dropping to San Francisco in the fourth round and developing into a two-time World Series champion, three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover. San Francisco is hoping that history will repeat itself with Ahuna, who slipped from a mid-first-rounder to signing for a below-slot $497,500 as a fourth-rounder last July after transferring from Kansas to Tennessee and trying to do too much at the plate while playing through a stress reaction in his back. The Giants were excited at how good he looked in camp after adding 20 pounds during the offseason, but his 2024 pro debut was marred by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. 

Ahuna is similar offensively and defensively to Crawford and has the tools to win Gold Gloves of his own. The best shortstop in the system, including the big leagues, he can make all the plays and all the throws with smooth actions, outstanding body control and a strong arm. He has a quick first step and well-above-average speed, though he's not much of a basestealer. 

An aggressive hitter who employs a leg kick, Ahuna tried to do too much at the plate last spring, let his left-handed stroke get too long and didn't make adjustments. His college strikeout rate jumped from 21 percent in his final season with the Jayhawks to 31 percent with the Volunteers, and he's going to need to tone down his approach to succeed against pro pitching. His uphill swing produces some sneaky power that plays to all fields and could translate into 15 or more homers per season. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 65 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45  

After batting .396/.479/.634 as a sophomore at Kansas in 2022, Ahuna looked like he might become the Jayhawks' first-ever first-round pick. Instead, he became one of the highest-profile players to enter the transfer portal and moved on to Tennessee, where he missed the first two weeks of the 2023 season while awaiting NCAA clearance. He struggled to make regular contact with the Volunteers and dropped to the Giants in the fourth round, signing for $497,500. 

Ahuna employs an aggressive approach and uses a leg kick, and he didn't barrel the ball as regularly this spring as he had in the past. He's a streaky hitter because his left-handed swing gets too long and he hasn't shown much ability to make adjustments. He uses an uppercut stroke to produce surprising power for someone listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds and has the upside of 15-20 homers per season. 

While he slumped at the plate, Ahuna continued to stand out in other areas. He's a quality defender at shortstop, where he can make all the plays and all the throws with outstanding body control and a strong arm, though he needs to improve his consistency. He has well above-average speed but isn't a prolific basestealer. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/03/2024	San Jose Giants activated SS Maui Ahuna from the full-season injured list.
	08/04/2024	San Jose Giants placed SS Maui Ahuna on the full-season injured list.
	08/04/2024	San Jose Giants placed SS Maui Ahuna on the full-season injured list.
	07/26/2024	San Jose Giants placed SS Maui Ahuna on the 7-day injured list.
	06/30/2024	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to San Jose Giants from ACL Giants.
	06/24/2024	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to ACL Giants from San Jose Giants.
	06/04/2024	San Jose Giants sent SS Maui Ahuna on a rehab assignment to ACL Giants.
	04/28/2024	San Jose Giants placed SS Maui Ahuna on the 7-day injured list.
	04/01/2024	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to San Jose Giants.
	03/16/2024	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to San Francisco Giants.
	03/07/2024	San Francisco Giants Prospects activated SS Maui Ahuna.
	08/15/2023	ACL Giants Orange transferred SS Maui Ahuna from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	08/15/2023	ACL Giants Orange transferred SS Maui Ahuna from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	08/11/2023	ACL Giants Orange placed SS Maui Ahuna on the 7-day injured list.
	07/30/2023	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to ACL Giants Orange.
	07/25/2023	San Francisco Giants signed SS Maui Ahuna.
	02/03/2023	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to Tennessee Volunteers.
	07/02/2022	USAB Stripes Team activated SS Maui Ahuna.
	07/01/2022	SS Maui Ahuna and assigned to College Workout.
	04/30/2022	Kansas Jayhawks activated SS Maui Ahuna.
	04/30/2022	SS Maui Ahuna assigned to Kansas Jayhawks.