SF Giants recall prospects 3B Casey Schmitt and RHP Sean Hjelle from Triple-A
The SF Giants recalled infielder Casey Schmitt and right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle (Giants #28 Prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. In corresponding moves, the Giants placed righty Ross Stripling on the 15-day injured list with a mid-back strain (retroactive to August 17th) and placed right-handed reliever Ryan Walker on the paternity list. Walker has been one of the Giants' most consistent rookies this season, posting a 2.23 ERA across 41.1 innings pitched (32 games).
SF Giants INF Casey Schmitt slides safely home against the Phillies on May 16, 2023.
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Schmitt was a consensus top-five prospect in the organization before he made his big-league debut earlier this year. The 2020 second-round pick out of San Diego State got off to a scorching hot start in the majors but fell into an ugly slump at the plate over the course of the summer. Despite Schmitt's impressive power potential, opposing pitchers consistently took advantage of his aggressive approach. In 218 MLB plate appearances this season, Schmitt hit .205/.258/.290 with 11 doubles, two home runs, 10 walks, and 51 strikeouts before he was optioned earlier this month.
Schmitt has been more productive in the minors, hitting .313/.352/.441 in 193 plate appearances at Triple-A with 12 doubles, a triple, and three home runs. While Schmitt has been solid offensively, he has been far from exceptional in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. According to wRC+, which attempts to adjust for park environments, Schmitt has been 10% less productive than the average hitter in the league. With that said, Schmitt has hit for more power since his demotion, poting a .533 slugging percentage in 10 games since he was optioned.
Calling up Schmitt is a quiet signal that the Giants have given up on David Villar, who was expected to be a key contributor this season. While Schmitt has been solid at Triple-A, Villar has been a more productive overall hitter, including over the past 11 games, when he has managed a .370/.431/.544 line. Without a clear opening in the lineup for Schmitt to play, this is normally an opportunity the Giants front office has prioritized reps for fringier players, like Villar. The fact that he is not even receiving this opportunity suggests further solidifies the fact that he is a strong candidate to be DFA'd or traded before the end of the year.
Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reported that veteran Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is dealing with some left forearm tightness, so it seems like Schmitt is primarily called up to be another option at shortstop. Granted, recent acquisition Johan Camargo is receiving the start at shortstop on Saturday.
Unlike Schmitt, Hjelle has oscillated between Triple-A and the majors for the past two seasons. The Giants 2018 second-round pick, Hjelle last appeared in a big-league game in late June. Hjelle struggled mightily early in the season with the Giants and still has a 7.79 ERA on the season, but more advanced numbers suggest he suffered from some bad luck (5.52 xERA, 4.03 FIP, 4.23 xFIP). At Triple-A, though, Hjelle has not been much better. In 17 starts (72.2 innings pitched), he has a 6.32 ERA. He will presumably fill in for Walker until he returns from the paternity list.
SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler mentioned Stripling was dealing with some back stiffness earlier this week, but it is a bit surprising to see him land on the injured list. Stripling has arguably been the Giants' second-best starting pitcher since the All-Star break, and his absence will make it even harder for the staff to cover innings. Of course, that will only fuel speculation that top pitching prospect Kyle Harrison's (Giants Top 4 Prospect) MLB debut is right around the corner.
