After trading for Shawon Dunston‘s son, Shawon Jr. on June 10th, the team signed Dylan Manwaring to a minor-league deal. He is, of course, the son of quality backstop and former Giant Kirt Manwaring.
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Before we get too deep into discussion about when Dylan Manwaring will be behind the plate for the big club, let’s first give his father his due.
Kirt was drafted 31st overall in the 1986 draft (2nd round pick, Matt Williams was drafted in the first round). His main attribute to the team was being consistently steady while catching sporadically behind Bob Brenly, Terry Kennedy and current Giants coach Steve Decker.
In 1992 his playing time increased, and he became the full-time catcher by the time the 1993 season began. A Gold Glove winner on that team (one of the best teams in franchise history), he was a steadying force behind the plate, helping Bill Swift and John Burkett win 21 and 22 games respectively. He also hit .275 that year, his best season at the plate.
For being a quality Giant, and now providing the team with another generation of players we thank you Kirt Manwaring.
Now on to his son Dylan, who was drafted in the 2013 draft in the ninth round by the Atlanta Braves.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dylan is also a catcher at the professional level. But he wasn’t always behind the plate as he was primarily a third baseman in high school, also playing some short and coming out of the bullpen when needed.
He was assigned to the short season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes after being signed by the Giants, and only has appeared in one game and has one plate appearance.
The catcher’s position is one that the Giants take great pride in, and if this young man can be coached up, this is the right organization to be in. Not only does he have great mentors at the big league level in Buster Posey and Trevor Brown, but he has countless former catchers in and around the franchise, including his dad.
He is only 21, and has very little experience. It may be that the Braves just didn’t see a path to the next levels of the organization and wanted to give him the chance to grow in an organization that could use his services in the future.
Just as the acquisition of Shawon Dunston Jr., bringing in quality players who understand the game just by being around it is such a plus. And bringing in extensions of the Giants family is always good to see.
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Welcome to the orange and black Dylan Manwaring.