The San Francisco Giants made a noteworthy move in acquiring catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations on Tuesday. The Mets had designated Hummel for assignment, prompting the Giants to expedite the process by bypassing waivers and securing a deal for the 29-year-old player.
Hummel, who has seen action in the major leagues over the past two seasons, spent a significant part of the last season with the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate. His performance included a .262/.409/.435 slash line with 27 doubles, eight triples, six home runs, and 26 stolen bases (32 caught stealing). While he made appearances in 10 big-league games with the Mariners, his offensive output was limited, managing just two hits in 26 plate appearances.
The Portland, Oregon native and University of Portland alum showcased promise as a prospect in the aftermath of the canceled 2020 minor-league season. His 2021-22 performance, spanning the Triple-A affiliates of the Brewers and Diamondbacks, displayed a robust .310/.429/.540 triple-slash with 29 doubles, seven triples, and 18 home runs in 522 plate appearances. Despite this, his stint as the Diamondbacks’ catcher in 2022 resulted in a less impressive .176/.274/.304 line in 201 plate appearances.
Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Hummel gradually ascended through the minor-league ranks. Though not considered a top prospect, his versatility as a potential bench piece was evident, with the Brewers guiding him toward the corner outfield.
Defensively, Hummel has faced scrutiny, graded as a below-average corner outfielder and catcher. Despite this, his Triple-A production raises optimism, and the Giants see potential in him fulfilling a valuable bench role.
As a switch hitter without significant platoon splits, Hummel’s minor-league option provides flexibility for the Giants. He could find a place on the 40-man roster and potentially start the season at Triple-A, serving as catching depth for Blake Sabol and the injury-prone Tom Murphy or contributing in the outfield.
This move by the Giants aligns with their strategy under the leadership of president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, known for actively managing the edges of the 40-man roster. The acquisition of Hummel might also signal potential moves, possibly involving outfielder Austin Slater, given the emerging outfield talent within the organization, including Luis Matos, Heliot Ramos, TJ Hopkins, and now, Cooper Hummel.