Luis González cleared waivers this afternoon, and the Giants have sent him outright to Triple-A Sacramento. Because he has less than three years of MLB service time and has not been outrighted previously in his career, he cannot refuse the assignment.
González has been in the Giants organization since August 2021, when he was claimed off release waivers from the White Sox. He spent the rest of the season on the injured list with shoulder issues, making his debut in the Giants system the following spring. He played 11 games at Triple-A, slashing .283/.389/.500 before earning the call to the big league level. The outfielder bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the majors for the rest of the year, ultimately playing 98 games for San Francisco. He looked like a capable bench player if not much else, posting a 95 wRC+, swiping ten bases, and playing below-average defense in the outfield corners.
Unfortunately, González missed the first half of the 2023 season recovering from back surgery, and he has struggled at the plate since his return. In 14 games with Triple-A Sacramento, he’s batting .231 with no home runs and a 67 wRC+. His 13.1% walk rate and 18% strikeout rate are impressive, but he has had no power to speak of. In his first two seasons at Triple-A, he hit 13 home runs across 60 games.
Last Monday, González was designated for assignment amid a flurry of roster moves. Anthony DeSclafani was moved to the 60-day IL, and with two newly open spots on the 40-man roster, the Giants selected the contracts of Johan Camargo and Wade Meckler from Triple-A.
While González can’t decline the outright assignment, this is his seventh season logging at least some minor league action. As a result, he’d be eligible for minor league free agency next offseason if the Giants don’t select him back onto the 40-man roster before then.
He’s gotta be better than Meckler or even Slater.
Slater, no. He’s been one of the better right-handed pinch hitters in baseball over the last few seasons.
Meckler, without a doubt. He looks like a wet paper bag out there.
Meckler was in college last year. Give the kid a chance. Slater is just in a bad slump. I think this kid is broken goods.
He’s just up too soon. With Haniger and Yaz out so much along with his hot streak at the same time it was worth a try.
Haniger back up soon, then Meckler can get his needed AAA experience.
Giants dodged a bullet.
San Francisco Giants are just a Mess
Farhan Zaidi spent 200 MILLION on this rinky dink roster.
I’m not sure they’ll finish above .500
coming from a Yankees fan LOL. enjoy Rodon!
Sigh
Sports discourse is so terrible
A commenter’s fandom has nothing to do with the quality of their comment.
However, in this case, 27champyankees is always trolling the Giants. It’s become routine.
Ha ha. Just terrible. Who do you think you are ?
Foppert1
Muted
I don’t usually intercede in skirmishes, but I think Foppert1 generally has valuable comments.
I’ll never know
Oh well
Yankees are in LAST PLACE.
Get back under your bridge.
Sigh
Sports discourse is so terrible
A commenter’s fandom has nothing to do with the quality of their comment.
So terrible, yet you are here participating in said discourse?
Yes
I hope that doesn’t confuse you or make you think you have some kind of “gotcha”.
If so, that would indicate that you are one of the reasons why spots discourse is so terrible.
Oh well, he’ll always have that hit off Rivera in Game 7 of the 2001 WS
Even has the Diamondbacks all-time homeruns record to go along with that clutch hit off Rivera to win a World Series championship for the very young Diamondbacks organization.
Holy Moly. He’s been playing a long time. From his time with the Cubs, Tigers, DBacks, Astros(twice) Dodgers and Marlins. 33 year career.
Soto Anyone. ? Might as well go after him. Like they went after Harper and Judge. Ohtani part two. See if they can get him This time.
Disappointed Davis and Conforto have really hit the skids. They both looked like 30/100 guys. Instead they are maybe 20/70 guys. And losing Haniger sucks.
Bringing up Harrison. The Giants need another Starter, might as well be Him. He’s the Man they’re betting on. And Luciano needs to play everyday. He’s getting reps in AAA and will probably play everyday in Sept. Matos Ramos who else needs playing time.
The Giants are still a good team. Record wise. But the offense needs better health first and foremost. And another high avg star. The bullpen has been good. And the starters need another innings eater. And the young guys need more reps.
I could see this team making a real move next season. And possibly making that Big trade we keep talking about that Farhan hasn’t done yet.
Keep building. Takes time. The identity is starting to turn around. And we need more players coming up thru the system. Youth is what it’s always been about. It’s what the Braves Did. Astros. Previous Giants World Series Teams. Those are the guys that win you Championships.