The San Francisco Giants optioned shortstop Marco Luciano and catcher Blake Sabol to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Many folks expected Luciano to open the year as San Fran's starting shortstop, but instead he'll open the year in the minors after missing some time with an injury in spring training. Veteran Nick Ahmed will open the 2024 season as the Giants' starter at the 6. The 22-year-old Luciano should still be considered the team's best long-term option at shortstop, but it remains to be seen when they'll deem him ready to return to the majors. Sabol, 26, is currently the Giants' No. 3 catcher behind Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart, so he'll bide his time on the farm until the team needs another catcher at the big-league level.
San Francisco Giants catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol (groin) will return to Cactus League action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels and will play left field off the bench. Sabol hasn't played in a spring training game since March 5 due to a right-adductor strain, but he's back in action now as he tries to make the club's Opening Day roster. Given how much time he's missed this spring, it's likely that the 26-year-old backstop will open the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento. Sabol has the versatility to both catch and play the outfield, but his bat hasn't shown enough to give him much chance to crack the Giants' lineup regularly with Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart also at catcher. In his rookie season in 2023, Sabol hit .235/.301/.394 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 110 appearances.
San Francisco Giants catcher Blake Sabol, last year's primary backup catcher, will be moved around this spring to add some more versatility since there are two catchers now ahead of him on the depth chart in Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy. "I think first base might be -- I haven't told him this yet -- but first base might be another spot," manager Bob Melvin said. "I think with LaMonte Wade Jr. as the only left-handed hitting first baseman, (Sabol) has played some outfield and is a versatile guy. We might move him around a little bit more." The 26-year-old also saw some time in left field in 2023. Sabol has minor-league options remaining, so don't rule out the Giants sending the former Rule 5 pick down to the minors at some point as well. He won't have much fantasy value outside of NL-only leagues in more of a bench role in 2024.
San Francisco Giants catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol is not in the lineup for a second consecutive game on Sunday against Jesus Luzardo and the Miami Marlins. The rookie has impressed, hitting .277 with a .801 OPS through 31 games. But with a lefty on the mound again, Sabol's .176 average off of southpaws means he'll take a seat. Patrick Bailey is behind the plate instead and batting seventh. The 23-year-old has one hit across three at-bats in 2023, but he doesn't project as much of a hitter in the big leagues. Fantasy managers can find a better option at catcher on the waiver wire.
Blake Sabol Made "Fantastic Impression" This Spring
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Monday that catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol has made a "fantastic impression" with the team this spring, per SF Chronicle's John Shea. The 25-year-old is expected to be one of three catchers on the team's roster, the other two being Joey Bart and Roberto Perez. Sabol does not have any big-league experience to this point, but he has hit .348 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases this spring and can also play outfield. The Giants tend to mix and match their lineups and currently have a number of outfield injuries, which could provide Sabol with routine playing time early on. This could make him worth keeping an eye on in deeper two-catcher leagues.
Marco Luciano
• SS
•
Giants
|
