SF Giants promote uniquely versatile glove to active roster

The SF Giants added yet another new face to the active roster on Saturday. Infielder/catcher Ford Proctor was recalled from Sacramento, whereas Luis González
was placed on the injured list with a lower back strain, thereby ending his season.

SF Giants promote uniquely versatile glove to active roster

González was one of the better stories for the Giants earlier this season as he was scooped up on a waiver claim last year from the Chicago White Sox. San Francisco non-tendered him and then re-signed him to a minor league pact.

The left-handed bat made a lot of noise in spring training as he consistently put together some of the better at-bats on the roster. González was added to the active roster at the end of April and went on a tear that earned him Rookie of the Month honors for May.

However, the 27-year-old faded as the season progressed and it is possible that the back ailment has been bothering him for a while now. On the year, he slashed .254/.323/.360 (95 wRC+) with four home runs, 36 RBI, and 31 runs in 350 plate appearances. This includes a solid 8.6 percent walk rate against a 21.4 percent strikeout rate.

Some of his struggles at the plate could have been a product of a roster imbalance. Between González, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski, and Joc Pederson, the Giants had a surplus of left-handed-hitting outfielders.

Pederson and Wade Jr. have proven to be strict platoon hitters in the majors. That could be true for González as well as he struggled to the tune of a .536 OPS in 107 plate appearances against lefties this year. However, it felt like González was used more against lefties than either Pederson or Wade Jr.

On the other hand, Ford Proctor will get a chance to show what he can do. The Giants acquired the left-handed bat in exchange for minor league reliever Jeremy Walker from the Tampa Bay Rays right before the trade deadline.

Proctor performed well for the Sacramento River Cats following the trade as he registered a .267/.390/.448 line (108 wRC+) with six home runs, 14 RBI, and 19 runs scored in 142 plate appearances. This included a 16.9 percent walk rate against a 26.8 percent strikeout rate. The walk rate is great, but the strikeout rate is concerning for a player who does not have with a ton of power.

The 25-year-old prospect can play anywhere in the field. He was drafted as a middle infielder but started seeing time behind the plate in the Australian Baseball League when the minor league season was cancelled in 2020.

He learned the position on the fly, which is really an impressive accomplishment for a minor leaguer who is trying to make a name for himself. His playing time at catcher has continued to increase and he could even see time at catcher with the Giants. Being able to play the infield and catcher is not something that many players can say they do.

Proctor recorded three hitless at-bats in his debut during the Giants' 5-2 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks.