The San Francisco Giants are in the midst of trimming their roster, a task that needs to be completed by next Wednesday when they must have their squad down to 26 players. As of Wednesday, they were still working with 49 players in Major League camp, but they're making steady progress.
Following a couple of cuts on Tuesday, the Giants sent four more players to Minor League camp on Wednesday. Left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt and catcher Jesús Rodríguez were optioned, while third baseman Parks Harber and infielder Buddy Kennedy were reassigned.
Let's break down what this means. Whisenhunt and Rodríguez are on the 40-man roster, which is why they were "optioned" rather than "reassigned," like Harber and Kennedy, who are not on that roster.
Carson Whisenhunt was a long shot for the Opening Day roster. As one of the Giants' top pitching prospects, the team likely wants him to continue honing his skills as a starter.
Despite lacking the fastball velocity of some teammates, Whisenhunt showed promise this spring, striking out 14 batters over 9.1 innings. However, his control was inconsistent, leading to a 9.64 ERA and a 3.26 FIP, with eight hits and eight walks allowed.
Expect to see him back in the majors sometime this year as he continues to develop.
Jesús Rodríguez initially looked like the frontrunner for the backup catcher role until Daniel Susac was added to the roster. Rodríguez put up a strong spring performance, hitting 12-34 with a home run, four doubles, and a .964 OPS.
His defense, often questioned, received positive feedback from coaches, and he showcased his versatility by playing second base and left field. He even snagged a couple of bases.
Rodríguez is likely to contribute significantly this season, just not right away.
Among the non-roster invitees, Parks Harber stood out. Acquired in the Camilo Doval trade, Harber impressed with his power, posting a .996 OPS and a 154 wRC+ in the Cactus League.
Unfortunately, a hamstring injury will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. He'll likely start the year with AA Richmond, but given his rapid rise, a debut this season isn’t off the table.
Buddy Kennedy, a 27-year-old Minor League free agent, also had a stellar spring. He hit 9-26 with two homers, a triple, and a double, resulting in a 1.112 OPS and a 173 wRC+. Though he's had a tough time at the Major League level in previous stints, his current form makes him a valuable depth option at AAA Sacramento, ready to step up if needed.
The Giants are making strategic decisions as they fine-tune their roster, balancing immediate needs with long-term development. Keep an eye on these players as the season unfolds; their journeys could be pivotal for the team's success.