Daniel Susac is making waves with the SF Giants after being snagged from the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 draft. The young catcher knows he needs to impress to stick with the team, and he’s off to a promising start.
The Giants had their eyes on Susac even before the Rule 5 draft, trying to orchestrate a trade with the A’s. However, with few trades between the Giants and A’s over the last quarter-century, Susac's path to San Francisco was through the draft. Now, he must stay on the Giants' active roster for 2026, or he’ll head back to Oakland.
Patrick Bailey is set as the Giants' main catcher, but the backup spot is up for grabs. The Giants are looking to shield Bailey from left-handed pitching, so the competition is fierce among right-handed hitters.
Susac’s main rivals are veteran Eric Haase and Jesús Rodríguez. Haase is known for his power, having launched 22 homers with the Tigers in 2021. While his receiving skills are below average, his pop time and arm strength stand out.
Rodríguez, meanwhile, is being groomed for versatility, getting reps at second base. His bat shows promise, but the Giants want him to refine his catching skills further in Triple-A.
Susac’s offensive game lands somewhere between Haase and Rodríguez. He doesn’t boast Haase’s power or Rodríguez’s contact skills, but he did hit 18 homers in Triple-A last year, aided by the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Defensively, Susac shines. He’s a solid receiver with a strong arm, backed by extensive minor league experience.
As a Rule 5 pick, he’ll get plenty of opportunities this spring, and he’s already making the most of them. With three hits in seven at-bats and impressive exit velocities, he’s catching the coaching staff’s attention.
While spring training stats can be deceptive, they’re crucial for players like Susac who need to make the team. So far, he’s making a strong case to secure his spot with the Giants.