SF Giants retain depth in the upper minors after utility bat clears waivers

Eddys Leonard was designated for assignment by the SF Giants earlier this week to make room for Andrew Knizner. The utility bat's status was resolved, as he was sent outright to the Sacramento River Cats, per the team's transaction log.

The Giants ran out of catching depth after Jesús Rodríguez and Daniel Susac landed on the injured list. Last week, Susac sustained a left knee patella fracture, so his season is likely over. Rodríguez is recovering from an elbow ailment, but he should return before the end of the year.

For one night, the Giants called up Zach Morgan from Triple-A. He was a seventh-round pick by the organization in 2022 out of Fresno State University. Morgan has experience behind the plate, but he has worked primarily as a multi-positional catcher as a pro. He was optioned back to Triple-A after the Giants brought in Knizner, who had recently exercised an opt-out from the Boston Red Sox.

Retaining Eddys Leonard will give the SF Giants an experienced option in the upper minors

On the other hand, Leonard will return to Triple-A. He joined the Giants on a minor league deal at the end of July. With the trade deadline coming and the injury to Casey Schmitt, they needed more infield depth in the minors.

Of course, the Giants moved Luis Arráez to the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a fire sale. Leonard was called up for his major league debut. The Giants also called up a handful of other players from the 40-man roster.

With the Giants, the right-handed bat got into a few games, collecting two hits in eight at-bats. His hit came after more than 3,000 plate appearances in the minors, so that represented a special moment for his friends and family.

Leonard had been designated for assignment previously, but he was traded to the Detroit Tigers while on the waiver wire. The latest transaction represents the first time he has cleared waivers, so he was not eligible to reject a minor league assignment.

The right-handed bat only appeared in eight games for the River Cats before he was called up. His overall production was a statistical oddity. He registered four hits, all home runs, in 28 at-bats. Sacramento has run thin on infield depth, as they recently called up Dario Reynoso and Jose Ramos from the lower levels. Leonard gives them a more experienced option.

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