SF Giants reunite with power-hitting prospect

The SF Giants brought back a familiar face in Connor Cannon this week according to the team's transaction page. He was signed to a minor league deal but this did not include a camp invite.

SF Giants reunite with power-hitting prospect

Cannon is likely not a household name with many Giants fans, but he does share a minor footnote in the 2021 season. San Francisco originally drafted the power-hitting first baseman in the 17th round of the 2019 draft out of The University of California - Riverside (UCR).

As a college bat, Cannon flashed impressive power as he blasted 18 homers in his final collegiate season. However, this came with concerns over his ability to make contact as he struck out in 25.5 percent of plate appearances with UCR.

As a pro, he continued to show off a potent bat while blasting 13 home runs across two affiliates in his draft year. That turned out to be his only stint with the Giants organization due in part to the canceled minor league season in 2020.

The Giants began the 2021 season with a surplus of left-handed relievers, so they swung a rare April trade to acquire New York Yankees outfielder Mike Tauchman in exchange for veteran bullpen arm Wandy Peralta. This included a player to be named later. That turned out to be an important move as Tauchman made one of the biggest catches of that season.

Eventually, Cannon was announced as the player to be named later. He had trouble staying on the field due in part to the lingering effects of knee and shoulder surgeries he underwent in college, so he missed the entire 2021 season. There was a two-year gap in between pro games for the first baseball prospect.

He returned to the field last year, slashing .165/.299/.307 with five home runs, 11 RBI, and 14 runs in 154 plate appearances across two affiliates. The Yankees organization decided to cut ties with Cannon, releasing him at the end of the 2022 season after two injury-riddled years.

He returns to the organization that drafted him just a few years ago. According to a source, he will try his hand at pitching. The 24-year-old tallied 8.2 innings on the mound in college and will be attempting to jumpstart his pro career in a different role.