SF Giants News: 1 more catcher added as a non-roster invitee

One more catcher reported to camp on Thursday. According to the team's transaction log, catching prospect Andy Thomas will join a handful of other backstops in camp.

SF Giants News: 1 more catcher added as a non-roster invitee

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle adds that Thomas is now in camp because another catching prospect, Brett Auerbach, is dealing with "some physical issues." Hopefully, Auerbach is able to return to the field soon, but this could also be a nice opportunity for Thomas.

The Giants acquired the 24-year-old prospect in one of the several hundred trades between them and the Seattle Mariners in 2022. If you can recall exactly which trade it was, then you deserve a hearty pat on the back.

That said, it was the trade that sent both Curt Casali and Matt Boyd to the Mariners in exchange for Thomas and bullpen prospect Michael Stryffeler. Thomas was originally a fifth-round pick by the Mariners in 2021 out of Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

The left-handed bat performed well in his first full season as a pro, slashing .238/.373/.381 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, and 41 runs in 367 High-A plate appearances split between the Giants and Mariners organizations. This includes a strong 15.8 percent walk rate against a 24.8 percent strikeout rate. You expect to see a college bat typically hit well in the lower minors, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upper levels.

Jake Mailhot of Fangraphs had a brief blurb about Thomas following the trade:

""With High-A Everett this year, he’s posted a .264/.400/.444 slash line (145 wRC+) and shown both a solid approach at the plate and decent power.""

Jake Mailhot

The Giants sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he recorded six hits in 43 plate appearances with 10 walks against eight strikeouts. He has great at-bat quality and is of the more disciplined hitters in the system, but he will need to impact the ball with more regularity.

Thomas joins a competition at catcher that includes Patrick Bailey, Brett Cumberland, Ricardo Genovés, Roberto Pérez, Austin Wynns, Blake Sabol, and Joey Bart. Thomas has the least experience in the group, but it should be a valuable learning opportunity as well.