© Jerome Miron | 2020 Feb 20
The Giants subtracted four players from their spring training roster on Tuesday, but also made an addition.
Mariners outfielder Jose Siri was claimed off waivers by the club after catcher Aramis Garcia was placed on the 60-day injured list. Siri, 24, is a native of the Dominican Republic and has spent the previous seven seasons in the Cincinnati Reds’ farm system, making his Triple-A debut last year.
He struggled mightily at the plate in 112 Triple-A at-bats, with a slash line of .186/.252/.245, but was acquired for his defensive potential and baserunning, as well as his relationship with Giants hitting coach Donnie Ecker, who worked with Siri last season.
“Donnie Ecker has some history with him and feels like there’s some really good tools to work with,” Giants VP of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi said. “He’s a guy who’s a terrific defensive centerfielder, really runs the bases well, really good athlete. Offensively has had a couple of good years at the lower levels and again that’s where having a hitting coach who’s had a history with a player and feels like there’s some upside with the bat, it all adds up to a potentially intriguing project.”
Siri was much better at the plate in Double-A ball last season, posting a slash line of (.251/.313/.388) with 11 home runs in 101 games.
Siri was added to the Giants’ 40-man roster.