SF Giants claim infielder off waivers from Angels

The SF Giants added to their higher minor-league depth on Sunday, claiming probably the greatest hitters at Triple-A over the previous few years, infielder José Rojas, off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Rojas was instantly optioned to Triple-A. To make room on the 40-man roster for Rojas, the Giants moved first baseman Brandon Belt to the 60-day injured record. Belt is out for the season after present process knee surgical procedure earlier this week.

Rojas has appeared in 22 video games with the Angels this season, posting a horrendous .125/.140/.161 triple-slash in 57 plate appearances. Nevertheless, in additional constant enjoying time at Triple-A, Rojas has hit .275/.350/.571 with 18 dwelling runs in 62 video games. Rojas was extra productive in his first style of MLB motion final season, showing in 61 video games with the Angels and recording a .208/.277/.399 line.

Already 29, Rojas has spent nearly all of his time with the Angels Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake since 2018. Over that span, he has been some of the productive hitters within the Pacific Coast League, sustaining a .277/.344/.524 triple-slash with a stable 21.3% strikeout price.

Rojas is restricted defensively however has loads of versatility. He has performed at first, second, and third base on the infield and at each outfield corners in every of the previous two seasons. A below-average runner, Rojas is restricted within the outfield, however has graded out as an above-average defender at third, based on Outs Above Common.

If the SF Giants preserve Rojas on the 40-man roster, the Anaheim native has an choice remaining after this season, which might give San Francisco’s entrance workplace the flexibleness to bounce Rojas between the big-league roster and Triple-A subsequent yr. Nevertheless, given the fixed churn behind the Giants’ 40-man roster, followers should wait to see if he is part of the entrance workplace’s future plans.