Just because there’s a lockout doesn’t mean Farhan Zaidi and the Giants front office can’t make minor league free agent moves.
According to Baseball America, the Giants recently signed former Mets pitcher Corey Oswalt to a minor league deal. Oswalt, a former seventh round pick, has spent each of his 10 professional seasons in the Mets’ system.
Oswalt, 28, recorded a 3.48 ERA in 10.1 innings at the major league level last season with New York. The right-handed hurler was outrighted and elected free agency after the season.
In his MLB career, Oswalt has posted a 5.89 ERA in 94.2 innings — most of which came during his rookie season in 2018.
When Oswalt became a free agent, one Twitter user created a thread to detail his ability, writing “I wouldn’t be shocked if a progressive team sees the building blocks of an effective pitcher and takes a chance on him.” Sounds familiar.
Oswalt pitched mostly as a starter in the minor leagues, but the Mets used him more as a hybrid option. The Giants have been known to deploy their bullpen in a flexible manner. Their starting rotation currently features Logan Webb, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and Alex Cobb; the fifth spot could be a combination of multi-inning arms such as Oswalt and other pitchers already in SF’s system.
The Giants also recently re-signed left-handed pitcher Joe Palumbo and outfielder Luis Gonzalez to minor league contracts, per Baseball America. SF initially claimed both of them off waivers during the 2021 season.
The full list of the Giants’ minor league signees at this point, per Baseball America, is Palumbo, Gonzalez, Oswalt, RHP Bryan Brickhouse, RHP Sam Delaplane, RHP Gray Fenter, RHP Mauricio Llovera, LHP Enmanuel De Jesus, C Jhonny Pereda, 2B Alex Blandino, IF Arquimedes Gamboa and OF Jason Krizan. SF has released right-handed pitcher Ronnie Williams.
