SF Giants release speedy outfielder who had brief stint with the club in 2024

The SF Giants announced a wave of promotions in the minors earlier this week. However, this usually leads to corresponding roster moves. The Giants trimmed outfield depth in the upper minors after releasing Ryan Mckenna, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants release speedy outfielder who had brief stint with the club in 2024

McKenna had been playing with the Sacramento River Cats. However, they ran out of room with the movement of Wade Meckler back up to Triple-A. Meckler has missed much of the 2024 season with a wrist injury but it is an encouraging sign to see him back in Triple-A.

The left-handed bat made a meteoric rise through the minors last season, culminating in a promotion to the major league team. He struggled during his stint with the Giants but he has hit at every minor league stop so far.

Meckler is joined by Luis Matos, Hunter Bishop, and Grant McCray as the outfield options in Triple-A. The Giants hope that Matos can make his way back to the majors this season and McCray could be an option as well if the club wants to strengthen the defense in center field.

On the other hand, Mckenna was the odd man out. The speedy outfielder was originally a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2015. He debuted with the club in 2021, but struggled to the tune of a .559 OPS with two home runs and 14 RBI in 197 plate appearances.

Over the next few seasons, it was more of the same as Mckenna struggled at the plate. That said, he did generally play above-average defense at all three outfield positions. The right-handed hit two home runs in 14 at-bats with Baltimore earlier this year before being placed on waivers and claimed by San Francisco.

McKenna did not have any options remaining, so he appeared briefly with the Giants, collecting six hitless at-bats before he was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.

The 27-year-old split time with Richmond and Sacramento following the move. During his time with the River Cats, he tallied a .656 OPS with two home runs and eight RBI in 79 plate appearances. McKenna is now free to sign with any team.