SF Giants place former top outfield prospect on waivers in flurry of moves

Lewis Brinson's time with the SF Giants appears to be over. The former top outfield prospect was designated for assignment on Wednesday in a flurry of roster moves.

SF Giants place former top outfield prospect on waivers in flurry of moves

Brinson was traded to the Giants from the Houston Astros at the end of last month and his contract was immediately selected. He made a solid first impression as he swatted three home runs in one series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, he recorded just one hit with 10 strikeouts in 21 at-bats following that series. In total, he registered a .683 OPS in 39 plate appearances with San Francisco.

Pitcher Jharel Cotton and corner infielder Jason Vosler were recalled, whereas pitching prospect Sean Hjelle was optioned back to Triple-A. Hjelle had a rough outing last weekend as he yielded six earned runs in one inning against the Dodgers but he followed that up with a four-inning effort in which he allowed just two runs at Coors Field.

On the year, the 6-foot-11 pitcher has posted an 8.44 ERA in six appearances. The results in Triple-A have not been much better as he has tallied a 4.97 ERA in 22 starts with the Sacramento River Cats. It has been a tough season for the former second round pick but he did accrue some major league experience.

The Giants just added Cotton on a waiver claim a couple of days ago. Both manager Gabe Kapler and team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi have prior experience with Cotton from their days with the Dodgers.

The right-handed hurler generated a 2.83 ERA in 25 appearances for the Minnesota Twins earlier this season. Oddly enough, he had been designated for assignment four times this year and cleared waivers three times while electing to remain with Minnesota.

Cotton will be joined by Jason Vosler. The left-handed bat has been with the Giants on multiple occasions this year and he has slashed .288/.351/.530 (145 OPS+) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 10 runs in 74 plate appearances.

Vosler has spent most of his career at first base and third base but the Giants have been experimenting with him in left field recently. He started in left field and laced a triple in Wednesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.