SF Giants bolster organizational depth with another pitcher addition

The SF Giants have been busy improving organizational depth as the season progresses as they have added three pitchers to the 40-man roster within the last 10 days. On Friday, they made another addition, signing right-handed pitcher Kyle Tyler to a minor league deal.

SF Giants bolster organizational depth with another pitcher addition

The Giants have not announced what affiliate he will be assigned to, but Triple-A seems likely given that the Tyler has major league experience.

Tyler was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 20th round of the 2018 draft out of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. The righty moved quickly up the minor league ladder, reaching Triple-A by 2021. Given that the 2020 minor league season was canceled, Tyler reached the highest minor league level in just his second full pro season.

Across four minor league seasons, he has posted a 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and a 2.78 SO/W ratio while working primarily out of the rotation. The 25-year-old pitcher has appeared briefly in the majors with both the Angels and the San Diego Padres.

In parts of two seasons, Tyler has allowed four earned runs on 10 hits, eight strikeouts, and seven walks across 16.1 innings. This includes four scoreless innings with the Padres earlier in 2022.

Tyler's command against major league hitters has been shaky, but he has demonstrated passable command in the minors. He is not necessarily a hard-thrower as his four-seam fastball sits comfortably in the low 90's that he pairs with a curveball and an occasional changeup.

The righty is an unusual pitcher for a minor league signing in that he is still considered a prospect while also being light on pro experience. That said, Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs noted that Tyler was considered a legitimate prospect in 2021 after experiencing a velocity increase in both his fastball and slider:

""Tyler gained about three ticks on his heater and slider in 2021, which helped him blossom from an org guy into a legitimate relief prospect. Then his velocity was back down in the 91-92 mph area at the start of 2022... His game basically boils down to tunneling those two offerings, as the other three pitches are mostly ornamental. He projects as an up-and-down spot starter or long reliever.""

Eric Longenhagen

Despite Tyler's experience as a starter, Logenhagen sees him more as a bullpen arm. With Sean Hjelle, Tristan Beck, Raynel Espinal, and Enmanuel De Jesus, the Sacramento River Cats might be okay in the rotation. They could use some help in the bullpen due to injuries and ineffectiveness.

San Francisco cut a couple of pitchers loose recently including Matt Hall and Joe Palumbo. Neither one pitched extensively in Triple-A, but it was apparent that the Giants needed to add a little extra depth.

Tyler checks off that box and offers a little more intrigue than a typical minor league signing. You never know when a team might need a spot starter. After all, Scott Kazmir pitched in the final week of the season for the Giants in 2021.