SF Giants claim OF Skye Bolt off waivers

According to a team announcement, the SF Giants have claimed outfielder Skye Bolt off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. The Giants designated right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau for assignment to clear a space for Bolt on the 40-man roster. Goudeau immediately becomes available to all other MLB teams through waivers.

Bolt becomes the tenth outfielder on the organization’s 40-man roster. Likely headed to the alternate site before joining the Triple-A outfield mix, Bolt will likely share playing time with LaMonte Wade Jr, Jaylin Davis, and Steven Duggar.

The SF Giants claimed Skye Bolt off waivers, and DFA’d Ashton Goudeau.

Bolt is a switch-hitter drafted by the A’s in the fourth round of 2015. Known for his above-average speed, arm, approach, and power potential, Bolt has always been an intriguing prospect, even if it’s never all come together. Now 27, it’s hard to envision him putting it all together. With that said, he still has the tools to become a solid contributor.

In 2019, Bolt reached Triple-A for the first time, hitting .269/.350/.459 at the tremendously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Oakland promoted him to their MLB roster for a short stint, where he made his big-league debut, going 1-10 with a walk and three strikeouts in five games. Last season, Bolt spent the entire season at the team’s alternate site in Stockton.

The Giants claimed Goudeau off waivers this offseason. Goudeau has split eight minor-league seasons between the Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and Seattle Mariners. He has never flashed top-flight velocity, but he has generated elite backspin on his fastball alongside a potential plus curveball.

In 2019, at Double-A, Goudeau had a breakout campaign with the Rockies affiliate, striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings while posting a 2.07 ERA. Last season, he received his first big-league opportunity with the Rockies but surrendered seven earned runs in just 8.1 innings of work. Colorado designated him for assignment this offseason when the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him. However, he was DFA’d once again by Pittsburgh, claimed by the Baltimore Orioles, and DFA’d again before he was claimed by San Francisco.

The SF Giants have had plenty of success acquiring outfielders under Farhan Zaidi. Perhaps Skye Bolt is the next player to become a big-league contributor. On the flip side, Ashton Goudeau hopes to finally gain some stability, whether with another waiver claim or an outright assignment to the minor leagues.