SF Giants activate 2B Thairo Estrada, option 2B/CF Brett Wisely to Triple-A
The SF Giants activated second baseman Thairo Estrada from the injured list on Tuesday, optioning versatile left-handed hitter Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) to Triple-A Sacraemnto. Estrada has been out since May 27th with a left wrist sprain. Wisely appeared to be dealing with some discomfort after diving for a groundball in Sunday's 8-3 loss to the Orioles, but appears to have avoided an injury that would send him to the injured list.
SF Giants LF Thairo Estrada celebrates after hitting a HR against the Tigers. (2023)
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
When he was placed on the injured list, Estrada ranked second in MLB among qualified second basemen in fWAR (1.9), trailing only Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien. This season, Estrada is hitting .301/.345/.466 with 12 doubles, a triple, and six home runs. He also leads the Giants with 13 stolen bases. Over his MLB career, Estrada has a .265/.322/.418 line with 41 doubles, three triples, and 31 home runs in 1000 plate appearances.
Estrada was once a top prospect with the New York Yankees but appeared to plateau as a depth infield piece. The Giants capitalized on the Bronx Bombers' skepticism and acquired Estrada in a minor trade for cash considerations early in the 2021 season. He quickly proved to be a valuable platoon infielder. Last season, Estrada emerged as manager Gabe Kapler's primary second baseman. However, so far this season, Estrada has looked like an emerging star.
The Giants acquired Wisely in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason for outfielder Tristan Peters. Wisely has hit .195/.230/.317 with four doubles, two home runs, four walks, and 24 strikeouts in 88 plate appearances with the Giants this season, his first major-league action. However, at Triple-A, Wisely has recorded a .304/.467/.500 triple-slash in 63 plate appearances with nine doubles and nearly as many walks (13) as strikeouts (14).
While the Giants were in the middle of a hot streak toward the end of May when Estrada landed on the injured list, the team has gone 3-5 since. Thairo Estrada has arguably been the SF Giants best position player so far this season and will be back in the lineup on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
