SF Giants release former Mets, Twins reliever off Triple-A roster

The SF Giants have released right-handed pitcher Trevor Hildenberger from the organization, according to a source who spoke with Giants Baseball Insider. Hildenberger has previously appeared in parts of four big-league seasons with the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins but struggled mightily to start the season at Triple-A. Across 5.2 innings of work, Hildenberger surrendered 10 earned runs on 10 hits and nine walks while only recording four punchouts.

The #SFGiants    have released RHP Trevor Hildenberger off their Triple-A roster, per source. Hildenberger has previously appeared in four MLB seasons with the Twins and Mets, but struggled mightily in five appearances at Triple-A this year (5.2 IP, 10 H, 10 ER, 9 BB, 4 K).
— Marc Delucchi (@maddelucchi) April 21, 2023

In other minor-league moves, the Giants assigned right-handed pitcher Landen Roupp (Giants #10 prospect) to Double-A Richmond. He had been rehabbing an injury in the team's complex in Arizona. Roupp was a breakout prospect in the Giants system last year. The Giants also promoted left-handed reliever Chris Wright to Triple-A Sacramento. Wright had not allowed a run in two appearances at Richmond this season, striking out seven across 3.2 innings of work.

Hildenberger was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Twins out of Cal. A funky side-armer, Hildenberger relied on deception and a sinker/slider combo to quickly ascend through Minnesota's minor-league ranks. From 2014-2017, Hildenberger never recorded an ERA north of 2.48 at any of his stops in the minors.

The Mountain View, California native debuted with the Twins in 2017, and quickly solidified himself as one of their top setup options. He posted a 3.21 ERA in 37 appearances (42 innings pitched) with 44 strikeouts and just six walks.

Hildenberger, however, struggled to build off his rookie campaign. While he led the Twins pitching staff with 73 appearances in 2018, his strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate all regressed and led him to finish the season with a 5.42 ERA.

Despite starting 2019 with 11 consecutive scoreless outings, Hildenberger was hit hard in May and was soon optioned back to Triple-A. After finishing the season with a 10.47 ERA in 22 big-league appearances, he was non-tendered by the Twins and became a free agent.

Hildenberger briefly returned to the majors in 2021 with the Mets, allowing four runs in 2.1 innings of work, before he was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Giants.

The righty would eventually be designated for assignment by San Francisco, but cleared waivers and was kept in the system by an outright assignment and a minor-league contract. Injuries limited him to just six appearances in 2022, but the Giants were hopeful he could return to form this season. However, the organization has decided to move on after his slow start.

Hildenberger may be a familiar name to fans who have followed minor league players' efforts to unionize. For the first time in league history, minor leaguers succesfully formed a union and negotiated a CBA with owners prior to this season. Hildenberger was consistently one of the most visible player advocates during the unionization charge.

Proud to be part of a generation of players who knew we deserved better, organized, and significantly improved our working conditions through solidarity and collective action pic.twitter.com/rTQt9Gz2zD
— Trevor Hildenberger (@t_hildy) April 1, 2023