SF Giants add former Cardinals right-handed reliever on a waiver claim

For the second time in less than a week, the SF Giants have added a new pitcher to the organization as well as the 40-man roster, This time, they have added right-handed reliever Angel Rondón, who has pitched briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals over the past two seasons.

SF Giants add former Cardinals right-handed reliever on a waiver claim

Rondón was on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier in the week. The Giants assigned the righty to Triple-A, per the team's transaction page.

Organizational depth took a hit in the first week of July as San Francisco released a pair of southpaw relievers in Matt Hall and Joe Palumbo. Neither bullpen arm had pitched extensively for the Sacramento River Cats, but Palumbo was briefly on the 40-man roster last fall.

The change of scenery will be a new experience for Rondón. St. Louis was the only organization that he has pitched for since signing out of the Dominican Republic for $25,000 in January of 2016.

The 24-year-old pitcher began his pro career as a starter, but he has transitioned to the bullpen in recent seasons. Rondón moved relatively quickly up the minor league ladder, reaching Double-A in his age-21 season in 2019.

If not for the canceled 2020 season, he might have reached the majors sooner than he did. Rondón remains unusually young for a pitcher who was placed on waivers and could still have some development left to realize.

In six minor league seasons, the righty has registered a 3.37 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and a 2.65 SO/W ratio. He was called up by the Cardinals in 2021 where he recorded two scoreless outings in his first taste on a big league mound.

Rondón continued that trend in 2022 as he registered a scoreless appearance in a five-inning effort. In total, he has not allowed an earned run across seven innings on two hits, four walks, and five strikeouts against major league hitters.

The young hurler relies on a three-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball that sits in the low 90's that he pairs with a slider and a changeup.

San Francisco has a new face in the organization in Rondón. Given how the front office leverages every spot on the 40-man roster, he could be a bullpen option for the Giants in the second half of 2022.