The Giants have added another layer of infield depth to Triple-A Sacramento, signing power-hitting utility man Eddys Leonard to a minor league deal and assigning him to the River Cats, according to the team’s transaction log.
It’s the kind of move that matters most when the upper minors are thin, and Sacramento had been there not long ago. A few weeks back, the affiliate was down to a bare-bones group of position players, with just one or two guys available off the bench. The recent additions of Bo Davidson, Parks Harber, Adrián Sugastey, and now Leonard have given that roster some much-needed breathing room in the second half of the year.
Leonard’s path to this point has taken him through several organizations. He originally signed with the Dodgers for a $200,000 bonus during the 2017-2018 international signing period out of the Dominican Republic. After starting his pro career in Los Angeles’ system, he was traded to the Tigers in 2023 while on the waiver wire, and he has also spent time in the Braves and Brewers organizations.
The Brewers brought him in on a minor league deal this offseason, complete with a camp invite, but he didn’t crack the big league roster and was sent to Triple-A. Earlier this month, Leonard became a free agent after exercising his opt-out clause, per Ari Alexander of 7News Boston WHDH. In situations like that, the club is notified and gets a chance to add the player to its roster, but Milwaukee passed.
At the plate, Leonard has shown a little bit of everything over parts of eight minor league seasons. The right-handed hitter owns a .267/.350/.456 line, along with a 9.0 percent walk rate, a 21.9 percent strikeout rate, and a .189 ISO. His most recent Triple-A stretch with Milwaukee’s affiliate was especially productive: .287/.371/.502 with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, and 38 runs in 288 plate appearances, good for a 128 wRC+.
He doesn’t draw a ton of walks, but the power is real. Leonard has reached double-digit home run totals in each of the last six seasons.
Defensively, he brings plenty of flexibility. Shortstop is his primary spot, but he has logged time everywhere on the field except pitcher and catcher. Leonard made his Sacramento debut Friday night and went 0-for-3.
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