SF Giants Sign OF Jason Krizan To Minor League Contract

The SF Giants added to their outfield depth by signing Jason Krizan to a minor-league pact. Krizan has played in the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Oakland Athletics organizations.

According to a report by Giants Prospects, the SF Giants have signed outfielder Jason Krizan to a minor-league contract. Krizan was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 8th round of the 2011 MLB Draft and spent the first seven years of his career in their organization.

In 2019, the New York Mets signed Krizan to a minor-league contract and he spent the majority of the season at Double-A before a strong stretch of play to close the year at Triple-A. He posted a solid .275/.358/.469 triple-slash with 46 extra-base hits and more walks (50) than strikeouts (45) between both levels.

After the 2019 season, the Oakland Athletics claimed Krizan off waivers. Of course, without a minor-league season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he never found a way onto Oakland’s big-league roster. Following the season, he once again became a minor-league free agent.

If he was an above-average defensive center fielder, he already would have made his big-league debut. However, limited to an outfield corner without premium power it’s been hard for him to breakthrough. He has played a bit on the infield at first base, second base, and third base, but again seems unable to handle shortstop.

Krizan’s propensity for contact, plate discipline, and approach has always been his primary tools and that obviously aligns well with the Giants’ front office’s recent trends. He fits the mold of players like Daniel Robertson, Joey Rickard, Michael Reed, and Mike Yastrzemski as older versatile prospects that have struggled to elevate the ball, but worked counts. Over his 1009 game minor-league career, Krizan has struck out just 436 times and walked 436 times.

While the SF Giants have built substantial outfield depth on the big-league roster and in their farm system, it never hurts to have more options. By signing Jason Krizan, the team added a versatile piece that could provide utility player depth from the left side of the plate.