The San Francisco Giants have been hesitant to use the waiver wire this year, but on their Thursday off-day they utilized the tool for the third time this season. San Francisco announced that they had claimed infielder Shay Whitcomb off of waivers after he had been designated for assignment by the Houston Astros. Whitcomb has subsequently been optioned to AAA Sacramento. To make space for him on the 40-man roster, the Giants moved Trevor McDonald, who is out for the year with Tommy John surgery, to the 60-Day Injured List.
Whitcomb, a 27-year old right-hander, was the Astros’ 5th-round pick in 2020. He was drafted with a reputation for having a good speed and power combo, but a questionable hit tool that, unfortunately, has never materialized. In 102 plate appearances in the Majors, the UC San Diego alum has hit just .167/.216/.292, with a 28.4% strikeout rate. Unfortunately, he’s also been trending in the wrong direction: his debut season in 2024 was far and away his best, while over the last two seasons he’s combined to hit just 7-56 with three home runs, no doubles, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.
He’s also regressed a bit in the Minors. Whitcomb posted a 134 wRC+ in AAA in 2024 before his call-up, and a 122 wRC+ at the level a year ago. This season, he’s hit a hair below league average, with a 97 wRC+. He has stolen 23 bases, which is encouraging, though he’s yet to attempt a steal in 57 MLB games.
Most importantly, Whitcomb can play anywhere on the diamond. In AAA this season, he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher. The bulk of his reps have come at shortstop, third base, and catcher, so it’s not hard to see him having a role in San Francisco this year, given that Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt are out for the year, Willie Adames is dealing with a back injury, and Heliot Ramos has been traded.
For now, though, he’ll stay in the Pacific Coast League and get acclimated with Sacramento. I’d expect him to be in San Francisco at some point in the next few weeks, though.