The Giants have designated outfielder/first baseman Tyler Austin for assignment, the team announced and Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area was among those to cover on Twitter. That move opens 40-man and active roster space for newly acquired second baseman Scooter Gennett.
In other roster moves that don’t implicate control rights, the Giants have added outfielder Steven Duggar to the active roster. Righty Dereck Rodriguez was optioned down to make way.
Austin, 27, hasn’t been able to take advantage of his opportunity in San Francisco, making him the latest position player to be sent packing from the MLB roster after receiving a shot. Through 147 plate appearances on the year, Austin carries a .185/.279/.400 batting line with eight home runs and 57 strikeouts.
Woods Rider
Looks like everyone is dropping their “dead weight” now.
Null
Makes sense with so many options at first base already. He crushes lefties, so there’s a pretty good chance he gets claimed. Needs to cut down on strikeouts though.
Senioreditor
Crushes is a bit of an exaggeration, I’d say hits them better with some power is a better description.
Buzz Saw
Yeah “crushes” made me smirk
sleepyfloyd
Well crushes them for a Giants hitter
Yeetus
You should do a story about that 23 year old random guy that pitched 96 mph in some contest and the A’s signed him later.
bradbyrne5
Really?? Nuke LaLooshe
Yeetus
No. Some guy named Nathan Peterson it’s in the news today.
snotrocket
Wasn’t that the guy Gruden says is going to be Carr’s backup?
Tiger_diesel92
The dude hit 96 on the gun and literally gotten signed
Sheep8
Heard that too, would love to read about that as well!
WAH1447
Yeah I heard I and it was one of those games where you see how hard you throw not an actual gun and on a mound
gmenfan
It’s called Google.
Johnny V
I hit 95 the other night on Wii Sports Baseball.. just sayin
JayRyder
Knew this. This was just a matter of time. . . I figured they liked this guy. And to find the right time to let him go.
He just didn’t do much. After a hot start. The strikeouts. And only really played against lefties. . . His pinch hitting was bad.
Big power. But more than enough time to show it off. Ala Mac W. It was time to move forward. . .
And they keep Panik. Before they figure out what they want to do with him. . .
WAH1447
Played against this guy in high school and he absolutely raked
Xavier Blaine
Makes no sense to keep Panik on the roster. I absolutely love the guy and for a couple years he was the most underrated player in the league but the wheels have fallen off pretty quickly for him.
Jean Matrac
Actually it does make sense to keep him on the roster. He still plays decent defense, which is important up the middle. Yeah I know Solano is there, but with Longo out, Bochy can still use everyone. And although Sandoval is decent defensively, I’d still like to see him replaced for defensive reasons late in the game. Panik may be gone when Longo comes back, and at the very least he a non-tender candidate. But for now it makes sense for him to be there.
Null
I agree. He’s had some big moments several times in his career and is one of the best in the league at not striking out, but he has lost the meager power that he once had.
I believe it stems from his concussion in August of 2017 against the Nationals. He was a capable second baseman offensively up to then (.278/.340/.401) and since has managed a slash line of .258/.321/.349. There’s still value in his glove, but that only gets you so far in today’s game.
Here’s to hoping he accepts an assignment to AAA in the coming weeks when they reinstate Dickerson from the IL.
ABStract
Good info!
I always thought the concussion did him in too
Coulda been a good piece for a long time
snotrocket
I think he also fractured his back. That can’t help him swing a bat.
jorge78
Hey Jeff, any chance on an “update” on the Peterson kid?
BigFred
“[insert team name] is checking in on Nathan Peterson.”
cgallant
Aka. Joe Kelley’s b*itch.
pinstripes17
Other way around…
bad bruce
Joe Panik hanging on… barely
upandcomerballplayer1087
It was about time to let him go. So sad cause I liked him a lot, just whiffed so many times tho. And we got some OF prospects during the trade deadline. They’ll make it up in no time, and let’s hope that when they do it’s not just for a cup of coffee
KnicksFanCavsFan
Yanks should try and sign him to a minor league deal. With Voit’s injury it wouldn’t hurt to have a little added insurance if EE/DJ/or Mike Ford can’t hold it down or get injured. He might be good for a few homers and maybe mix it up with a shabby Boston Freakin Red Sox pitcher.
rocky7
Agreed….with Voit possibly on the shelf for the next 6 weeks or so, Encarnacion isn’t going to be able to handle 1st all by himself, and with DJ having to move over to 2nd with the injury to DD, wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yankees sign him to a minor league deal for insurance at first!
top jimmy
I agree. His inside out swing and power to right played perfectly in Yankee Stadium. Bring him back as insurance for Voit. Maybe he can find his stroke again.
Donkatsu
Move him to the dodgers so he can play with his friend Joe Kelly.
The Dodgers have a way of turning trash players into MVP Material
22jclark
I liked Austin and was hoping he would’ve had a better audition. They gave him a real shot. I hope he can figure it out. There’s 20-30 HR’s in there if he could just be serviceable against righties and cut down a bit on the K’s. Wish him the best, hopefully he remains in their system.
azcrook
When Scooter falters…..and Panik is gone…..that will be Fahran’s first mistake
azcrook
Why all the noise about Panik….Crawford and Belt are just as bad if not worse..Belt is horrible in the clutch…..
upandcomerballplayer1087
They’re talking about panik not because of how good he is but whether they’re gonna keep him or not, cause we have scooter and salano.
And they’re not talking about b-craw because he’s our only player that SS is his main position, same goes for belt.
Writers don’t only write about good players
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
Joe Panik Trivia Dept.:
On Opening Day 2018, the Giants won 1-0 on Panik’s HR. The next day, they won 1-0 and again it was Panik who homered. This marked the first time in MLB history that a team won back-to-back 1-0 games on same player’s home run.
Panik was a good little player for a few years. Near impossible to strike out at times. Played good D at 2B and was a clubhouse positive. If the Giants send him packing, maybe a contending team will pick him up as a bench bat. On the occasions when all a manager wants is for his PH to make contact, Panik fits the bill.
driftcat28 2
Yanks can use Austin on a minors deal right about now. Could help when rosters expand