SF Giants bolster pitching depth after adding a pair of hurlers on minor league deals

The SF Giants recently added pitching depth in the upper minors. Minor league hurlers Juan Mercedes and Joel Peguero have joined the organization on minor league deals according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants bolster pitching depth after adding a pair of hurlers on minor league deals

It is unknown at this point if they will be extended spring training invites. The Giants have already handed out a couple of camp invites this offseason after they added veteran catcher Logan Porter and versatile infielder Sergio Alcántara.

On the other hand, Mercedes and Peguero quickly found new homes after becoming free agents earlier this month. This was Mercedes' first foray into free agency. He joined the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2017 and had spent his entire pro career with the organization. Some things might be different now with Buster Posey at the helm, but the Giants' affinity for players from the Mariners organization continues.

Mercedes quickly made a name for himself as a pro as he tallied a 2.42 ERA in 13 appearances during the Dominican Summer League in 2018. He was recognized as the team's best pitcher by the organization and even received a promotion to the Arizona League to finish out the season. That type of promotion just does not happen often.

Overall, he has recorded a 4.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 8.8 K.9, and a 4.17 SO/W rate across seven seasons with the Mariners organzation. This includes a 2.87 ERA in 27 starts for the club's Double-A affiliate this season. On the mound, he throws a four-seam fastball, curveball, and a slider. The righty pitcher does rely on his slider quite a bit.

This was Joel Peguero's third trip through free agency. He originally signed with the Tampa Bay Rays out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. He has played with the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Detroit Tigers organizations since then.

The 27-year-old pitcher has pitched to a 4.69 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, and a 2.11 SO/W rate in eight pro seasons. This includes a solid 2024 campaign in which he posted a 3.14 ERA in 43 outings for the Tigers' Double-A affiliate. Peguero flashes a high 90's fastball with a quality slider but struggles to consistently throw strikes.