The SF Giants have continued to chip away at their 2026 draft class, and one of the bigger wins came in the 12th round. Josiah Kemp, a right-handed bat with a commitment to the University of Oklahoma, agreed to a $400,000 signing bonus to start his pro career in San Francisco.
That number stands out for a player taken that late. Kemp was viewed as a difficult sign when the Giants selected him, and the bonus reflects just how much they had to do to pull him away from Oklahoma. He was considered one of the better prep players in the class, and the deal lines up more like something a fifth- or sixth-round pick would get.
There is a small wrinkle in how the money is reported. Some outlets may list Kemp’s bonus a little differently because of a $2,500 contingency bonus that can be layered on top of the agreed amount.
Baseball America shows Kemp at $397,500, with that contingency added separately. In practical terms, the Giants are using about $250,000 of their bonus pool on Kemp, since teams can hand out up to $150,000 after the 10th round without it counting against the pool.
The Giants also reached a deal with 13th-round pick Colin Fisher, who got a $300,000 signing bonus. Fisher had the option to return to school for another year, which gave him some leverage in those talks.
Kemp’s selection fit a pattern for San Francisco in this draft. The Giants leaned on bloodlines, and Kemp is the nephew of longtime outfielder and division rival Matt Kemp.
He joined a group that also includes Kaden Waechter, Peyton Bonds, Luke Nixon and Kemp as relatives of former big leaguers. Even 16th-round pick Dalton Wentz is the son of a former pro baseball player.
On the field, Kemp brings athleticism and a solid feel for contact, with some hope that more power comes as he matures.
The Giants still have unfinished business with the rest of the class. Waechter and Carson Bolemon remain unsigned, along with a few later picks. Teams have until July 27 to get their draft signings done.
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