The Giants have successfully sold themselves for a second time.
Ty Weber, a senior righty starter from the University of Illinois, announced he’s signing with San Francisco on Monday, the second day that teams can recruit undrafted free agents away from college commitments.
“Proud to announce that I have accepted a free agent deal with the San Francisco Giants,” Weber said on Instagram. “Thank you to all of my friends and family for the support throughout my career. Thank you @illinibaseball for the best four years of college. Excited to get to work!”
Weber, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound Wisconsin native, improved each season with the Illini, from struggling through his freshman season with a 5.51 ERA to a 3.84 ERA his sophomore year and 3.28 mark last year. Before this season was cut short, the 22-year-old allowed three earned runs in four starts and 20 2/3 innings (1.31 ERA).
Weber reportedly has a high-80s fastball, curveball, slider and changeup, a makeup that has generated plenty of balls put into play. In his NCAA career, he struck out 167 in 260 2/3 innings.
Because the NCAA allowed an extra year of eligibilty, Weber could have returned to Champaigne, but the Giants lured him with a maximum offer of $20,000. He joins Carter Williams, an outfielder from NC Central, as the first to join the Giants after being passed over in the five-round draft.
Farhan Zaidi had spoken of the importance of already-formed relationships that could help push players to San Francisco. It’s possible Mark Allen, who is Illinois’ pitching coach and was the Giants’ pitching coordinator a year prior, came in handy.
