SF Giants claim 27-year-old catcher off of waivers from Seattle Mariners

Despite winning a franchise-record 107 games in 2021, the SF Giants continue to scour the waiver wire for much-needed depth. They continued that trend on Sunday as they claimed a 27-year-old catcher off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

SF Giants claim 27-year-old catcher off of waivers from Seattle Mariners

José Godoy is the newest addition to the Giants organization as he will, in theory, serve as the third catcher on the 40-man roster behind Joey Bart and Curt Casali. San Francisco had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is needed.

The St. Louis Cardinals originally signed Godoy during the 2011 - 2012 J2 international signing period for a bonus of $200,000.00. He moved deliberately up the minor league ladder, reaching Triple-A with the Cardinals organization in 2019. However, he became a free agent following that year and latched on with the Mariners on a minor league pact.

The left-handed bat was promoted to the Mariners' major league roster after a successful stint in Triple-A where he slashed .285/.330/.413 with seven home runs, 44 runs scored, and 56 RBI in 325 plate appearances.

In a brief sample with Seattle, Godoy recorded just six hits, including one extra-base hit, with three RBI in 40 plate appearances. Despite his struggles at the plate against major league pitching, the young backstop has generally been a positive contributor on offense in the minors.

In nine minor league seasons, seasons Godoy has recorded a .276/.357/.366 line with 22 home runs, 217 runs, and 252 RBI. This includes a 9.5 percent walk rate against a 13.6 percent strikeout rate.

Godoy posted strong walk rates in the lower minors as he took advantage of the wildness of less advanced pitching, but those rates have plummeted at the higher levels. For example, he has posted a 6.3 percent walk rate in 412 Triple-A plate appearances as more advanced pitchers attack the zone, especially considering his lack of overall power.

With that being said, the young backstop does a lot of things behind the plate that you like to see with a third catcher on the 40-man roster. This includes being a good receiver with a strong arm, so the Giants have a legitimate option on defense in case either Bart or Casali hit the injured list.

Furthermore, Godoy has two minor league options remaining, so he has the roster flexibility that a veteran catcher would not carry. Lastly, given that he bats from the left side, he is a natural complement to either Bart or Casali if he is called up.

Godoy checks off a few boxes that the Giants needed in a catcher. He may not be called up in 2022 if all goes according to plan, but he has experience in the upper minors with a brief stint in the majors as well, so he gives them much-needed depth in the upper levels.