Former SF Giants outfield prospect lands with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association

Jairo Pomares has reportedly found a new home for 2026. According to Francys Romero of Beisbolfr.com, the former SF Giants outfield prospect has signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.

Former SF Giants outfield prospect lands with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association

Independent ball has become a popular alternative to playing for an affiliated organization in recent years. This is due in part to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that limits domestic headcount to 165 players during the season.

In the offseason, teams can hold up to 175 players on their domestic rosters. Around this time of year, teams will usually have to cut ties with a handful of minor leaguers to get in compliance. This is alos why teams are not nearly as active in minor league free agency as they were previously. They just do not have the space to make that many additions.

Pomares signed with the Giants out of Cuba during the 2018 - 2019 international signing period. He earned a sizable $975,000 signing bonus. Pomares was signed in the same cycle as Marco Luciano and Luis Matos.

Victor Bericoto was also signed during that cycle. He is now in camp with the Giants and putting together a strong case to make the club. While he will likely begin the season in Triple-A, he has made a favorable impression on the coaching staff.

The Giants had hoped that this signing class would help the club for years to come, but that has not exactly been the case. Luciano is no longer with the organization, whereas Matos and Bericoto are competing for roster spots.

Pomares had some bright moments in the Giants organization. Across six minor league seasons, he registered a .273/.327/.472 line with a 6.4 percent walk rate, 26.8 percent strikeout rate, and .199 ISO. His best season came in 2021, when he posted 1.007 OPS with 20 home runs and 59 RBI in 328 plate appearances split across two levels.

The 25-year-old outfielder spent the past two seasons in Double-A, where he registered a .670 OPS across 630 plate appearances for the Richmond Flying Squirrels. He struggled to a .620 OPS last season before being released in the summer.