A highly regarded prospect will join the Giants as the team seeks to replace the injured Jerar Encarnacion.
Rookie Drew Gilbert, part of the Tyler Rogers trade, was called up Friday to the major league team from Triple-A Sacramento. Encarnacion was placed on the 10-day injured list, while outfielder Daniel Johnson was designated for assignment so that Gilbert could be added to the 40-man roster.
Listed at 5-foot-9 – but self-professed to stand a half-inch shorter – the Tennessee product brings SEC speed to the outfield.
The 24-year-old is ranked by MLB.com as the No. 13 prospect in the Giants farm system.
“I feel like I can play all three positions in the outfield, wherever they want me to play,” said Gilbert, who debuted in right field, batting ninth. “Obviously, there’s going to be some getting used to different parks and whatnot, but I feel like I can compete at a pretty high level.”
His lefthanded swing, one that’s helped him go 7 for 14 with two doubles in five games in Triple-A, is not too shabby either.
“I’m more of a line drive guy with some power,” Gilbert said. “Obviously I’m not one of the big boppers, but I can get some balls out there.”
Having grown up a fan of the Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau-led hometown Twins, he said a large number of friends and family made the trek from his home state to the Bay Area for his debut. They have seen Gilbert have a long and winding journey to the majors after graduating from Stillwater High, located in the suburbs outside St. Paul.
Despite being a highly-regarded commodity since being picked with the No. 28 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, he has now been a part of two high-profile trades.
The first includes his current teammate Justin Verlander, who was traded for Gilbert by the Mets in 2023. The two met for the first time on Friday afternoon.
“It’s kind of a crazy world, isn’t it,” Gilbert said, calling his new teammate “a legend.”
His promotion comes after one of the Giants’ hottest bats hit the 10-day injured list. Encarnacion injured his right hamstring after hitting his second home run – a 442-foot blast – in as many days in the series finale at Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
An MRI revealed a Grade 2 strain, according to the club.
His injury was a cruel blow for a player who appeared to be hitting his stride, and was the latest in a string of injuries sustained by the 27-year-old right fielder. After being poised to make the Opening Day roster, he fractured his left hand on the eve of the season’s start.
Encarnacion then made his season debut on June 2, but then injured his left oblique and landed on the injured list on June 17.
“It’s tough, and it’s one of those (injuries) where you really feel for the guy,” manager Bob Melvin said. “This is his best opportunity he’d ever had to come to the big leagues and have a spot.”
Though Gilbert got the start on Friday, Melvin said he is not expected to be the everyday starter for a team that began a nine-game homestand.
“With Grant (McCray) here too, it’s going to be a little bit of a jigsaw puzzle, especially with the amount of lefties we have in the outfield,” Melvin said.
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Other roster and injury notes
With Gilbert’s promotion, Johnson, a Vallejo native, was designated for assignment. The outfielder hit .172 in 14 games for the Giants, and had played in Sacramento since July 5.
Pitcher Erik Miller, who has been dealing with a left elbow sprain, threw one inning in Sacramento. Melvin said he “could be on his way back fairly soon, maybe even this homestand.”
Righthanded pitcher Landen Roupp threw a bullpen session at Oracle. Roupp has dealt with right elbow inflammation.
