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SF Giants add right-handed pitcher from American Association after velocity spike

Another new name
ByJeff Young
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Jun 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Francisco Giants hat and glove on the ledge of the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Jun 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Francisco Giants hat and glove on the ledge of the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While a lot of players elected free agency over the past week, the SF Giants quietly made an addition. According to the team's transaction log, they have purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Spencer Bauer from the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association.

Independent ball has become a popular channel for players to continue their careers, whether that is directly out of college or after their time in affiliated ball comes to an end. For Bauer, it represents the former, so this will be his first stint in affiliated ball.

Baseball has consolidated the minor leagues in recent years, reducing the stateside headcount to 175 players during the offseason and 165 players during the season. That has opened the door for a lot of players to pursue independent ball.

Newest SF Giants minor leaguer saw a notable velocity bump after training at Tread Athletics

In recent years, the Giants have had success scouting these leagues. Spencer Bivens is one of the most notable players they have signed out of independent ball. Even though Bivens has moved on to the Kansas City Royals, he has an even 4.00 ERA in parts of three major league seasons. That is a scouting win.

Dayson Croes is another player the Giants scouted out of independent ball in 2025. He had a meteoric rise through the system that year, but he had a more modest campaign in 2026.

Spencer Bauer had a long college career, including four years at Elon University and his final two seasons at the University of Central Florida. His final college year came in 2025, but he posted a 7.71 ERA in just 11.2 innings. The 2025 draft came and went, but his name was not called.

The right-handed pitcher joined the American Association to continue his playing career. Interestingly, while he did so, he trained at Tread Athletics, which is a performance-improvement program similar to Driveline Baseball.

While training at Tread Athletics, Bauer experienced a notable velocity bump. His fastball went from 92 MPH in college to as high as 98 MPH during his time with Sioux Falls. That paid dividends, as he posted a 3.31 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 16 walks in 35.1 frames in 2026.

On the mound, Bauer throws from a three-quarters arm slot. He pairs his upper 90's with a low-to-mid 80s breaking ball. Bauer uses the four-seam fastball up in the zone, and it gets a lot of armside run. He leans on the breaking ball, which gets plenty of two-plane movement, lower in the zone to change the sightlines on opposing hitters.

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