Skip to main content
Around the Foghorn
FanSided

Cubs' experiment with forgotten SF Giants slugger Tyler Austin is on life support

This move did not pan out so far.
ByNick San Miguel
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Tyler Austin (19) stands in the dugout during the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Tyler Austin (19) stands in the dugout during the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last offseason, SF Giants fans might have been a bit surprised to see the name Tyler Austin resurface. The right-handed slugger hadn’t played in the big leagues since 2019 but the Chicago Cubs decided to sign him to a one-year, $1.25 million major league contract. Unfortunately, Austin had a knee injury prior to spring training and missed the entire season.

Now Chicago has outrighted him to Triple-A which means his return to the big leagues is still possible, but there is also the chance that he could elect free agency and sign with another team or potentially even go back overseas to play ball which is where he was from 2020 to 2025.

For those who have forgotten Austin, don’t feel bad. He played just 70 games for the Giants back in 2019 and showed off some power as he hit an unremarkable .185/.279/.400 with eight home runs and 20 runs batted in across 147 plate appearances.

He was a journeyman who played in the big leagues with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers in addition to the Giants. He simply never hit good enough to stick anywhere as his career slash line in the big leagues is .219/.292/.451 with 33 homers and 91 RBI.

That lack of success in the big leagues forced him to try him luck in Japan where he put up some good numbers. In 2024 he hit .312/.378/.594 with 26 homers and 74 runs batted in. He followed that up in 2025 by hitting .280/.363/.502 with 12 homers and 31 runs batted in.

Tyler Austin has options after Cubs outright him

Austin plays first base and the outfield but the Cubs were probably thinking he could be used as a potential designated hitter option especially against lefties. In his big league career he’s hit .253/.345/.539 with 18 homers and 48 runs batted in so he has shown promise as a platoon bat.

It will be interesting to see what he decides to do next. Chicago’s experiment isn’t completely over yet if he chooses to stay in their minor league system so clearly they think there might still be some promise with the 35-year-old, but he may choose to pursue another opportunity rather than trying to rake in the minors and earn a promotion to the big leagues.

It may be his last chance to play in MLB though so if he wants to give it another go it would be cool to see if he can return to the big leagues for the first time since 2019. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/SF Giants News