SF Giants claim former Mariners reliever off waivers from Athletics
The SF Giants have claimed right-handed relief pitcher Devin Sweet off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, per a team press release. Sweet made his big-league debut earlier this season with the Seattle Mariners and posted a 10.38 ERA in seven MLB games between stints with the A's and Mariners. Despite some impressive minor-league numbers, the A's decided to designate the 27-year-old for assignment.
Seattle Mariners reliever Devin Sweet makes his MLB debut against the Twins. (2023)
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Sweet was signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Mariners out of North Carolina Central back in 2018. In his first full pro season (2019), Sweet was excellent between Single-A and High-A, recording a 2.76 ERA with 152 strikeouts and just 27 walks in 127.1 innings pitched (34 games). However, he was unable to replicate that success in more prolonged outings since reaching the upper minors.
After struggling to post an ERA south of 5.00 in the hitter-friendly Texas League from 2021-22, Sweet finally took a step forward in 2023. Sweet made 27 appearances with the Mariners Double-A affiliate, racking up 47 strikeouts against eight walks with a 1.54 ERA in 35 innings pitched before he was promoted to Triple-A. Sweet posted a 2.57 ERA in seven Triple-A appearances with the Mariners and received his first-career big-league call up. However, he allowed a pair of runs in two appearances.
The A's claimed Sweet off waivers when he was designated for assignment at the end of August. Sweet made five appearances with the A's and two at Triple-A, he was relatively ineffective at both levels. Granted, there are some obvious small-sample size caveats.
The 5'11'' Sweet has a uniquely deep arsenal for a reliever, utilizing a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup. He is also a rare reliever who pitches out of a traditional windup. None of his offerings were especially effective in his short big-league stints, but he has also been comfortable throwing all three of his pitches in any count.
The SF Giants presumably would like to see if he can take another step forward working with their pitching coaches next season. Of course, he would have to remain in the organization, which may be unlikely given Farhan Zaidi's usual roster churn at the back of the 40-man roster. Still, if Devin Sweet remains with the team, he will likely spend 2024 looking for another MLB opportunity at Triple-A Sacramento.
