Giants draft impact hitter Shaw

SAN FRANCISCO -- Searching for a slugger who can conquer AT&T Park's pitcher-friendly dimensions, the Giants took Boston College first baseman Chris Shaw with the 31st overall selection in the MLB Draft on Monday.

The Giants received the pick as compensation for losing third baseman Pablo Sandoval to Boston in free agency. The club hopes that Shaw, who was ranked 46th on MLB.com's Draft prospect list, can approach the impact as a hitter that Sandoval provided.

A right hamate bone injury and poor weather in the Northeast combined to limit Shaw to 144 at-bats as a junior this year. He batted .319 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs. The effects of the hamate bone ailment, as Sandoval proved with the Giants, aren't expected to linger.

The Draft continues Tuesday with Rounds 3-10. The MLB.com preview show begins at 9:30 a.m. PT, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 3-10 beginning at 10 a.m. PT.

The Giants also made College of Southern Nevada right-hander Phil Bickford their top pick in the Draft (18th overall) and took University of Miami left-hander Andrew Suarez in the second round (61st overall).

• 18th overall: Phil Bickford
• 61st overall: Andrew Suarez

Though Shaw played outfield for Boston College, Giants scouting director John Barr said the 6-foot-3, 248-pounder will begin his professional career as a first baseman. The last player the Giants drafted anywhere in the first round as a first baseman was Will Clark, who became a six-time All-Star, in 1985.

Video: Draft Report: Chris Shaw, College OF/1B

"He's a guy who we think has a legitimate chance of hitting in the middle of our order," Barr said of Shaw, 21, who led the Cape Cod League with eight home runs for Chatham last summer.

Shaw, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, was drafted out of Lexington (Mass.) High School by the Mets in the 26th round in 2012 but did not sign. He also was a defenseman in hockey during high school.

"Maybe that's why he has a short, quick stroke to the ball," Barr said.