The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that they have designated catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol for assignment. This move frees up a roster spot for the team to sign Justin Verlander, who was officially released earlier in the day.
Blake Sabol, who turned 27 on Monday, was a seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 and was selected by the Giants in the 2022 Rule 5 draft. He made the Giants’ 2023 Opening Day roster and performed admirably, splitting time between catcher and left field. Sabol hit.235/.301/.394 (91 wRC+) in 344 plate appearances, showing promise as a depth option.
However, Sabol’s performance in the minor leagues was less impressive. He was optioned to Triple-A in 2024 and struggled, posting an offensive line of.246/.340/.388 in Triple-A, which is good for a wRC+ of just 85. His lackluster performance seemed to make him an expendable depth option in the eyes of the Giants’ front office.
The Giants recently claimed catcher Sam Huff on waivers from the Texas Rangers, which may have made Sabol’s presence on the 40-man roster even more unnecessary. Huff is not a minor league option and cannot be sent to the minor leagues without claiming waivers, but he could provide the club with depth behind catchers Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.
Going forward, the Giants have a week to complete a trade involving Sabol or put him on waivers. As an optional receiver depth option, it wouldn’t be surprising to see clubs with receiver needs take the opportunity to take Sabol off waivers in hopes of helping him rediscover something closer to the offensive form he showed in 2023.
FAQ:
Q: Why did the Giants designate Blake Sabol for assignment?
A: The Giants designated Sabol for assignment to free up a roster spot for the team to sign Justin Verlander.
Q: What was Blake Sabol’s performance like in 2023?
A: Sabol hit.235/.301/.394 (91 wRC+) in 344 plate appearances, showing promise as a depth option.
Q: What was Sabol’s performance like in the minor leagues?
A: Sabol struggled in the minor leagues, posting an offensive line of.246/.340/.388 in Triple-A, which is good for a wRC+ of just 85.
Q: What does this mean for the Giants’ catching situation?
A: The Giants recently claimed catcher Sam Huff on waivers from the Texas Rangers, which may have made Sabol’s presence on the 40-man roster even more unnecessary. Huff could provide the club with depth behind catchers Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.
Conclusion:
The Giants’ decision to designate Blake Sabol for assignment is a sign that the team is looking to shake up its depth options. Sabol showed promise in 2023, but his performance in the minor leagues was less impressive. With the team recently claiming Sam Huff on waivers, it’s possible that Sabol’s role on the 40-man roster is no longer needed. As an optional receiver depth option, Sabol could still find a new home with a team looking to add some depth behind the plate.
