SF Giants sign former Twins top-10 prospect to minor-league contract
In an effort to improve their pitching depth at the higher levels of the minor leagues, the SF Giants have signed right-handed pitcher Blayne Enlow to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Enlow has spent his entire professional career in the Minnesota Twins' organization, where he was ranked among the team's top-30 prospects by Baseball America every year of his career. He is still only 24-years old.
Enlow, 24, was a third-round selection for the Twins in 2017 out of St. Amant High School in Louisiana. From 2018-2021, Enlow ranked among BA's top-10 prospects in the organization. However, the right-hander has since struggled with health and ineffectiveness, prompting a slow rise through Minnesota’s system.
After Enlow missed the majority of the 2021 season to undergo Tommy John Surgery, the Twins extended him a spot on their 40-man roster. In January, the organization designated Enlow for assignment and later outrighted him back to Double-A when he went unclaimed.
In 26 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023, Enlow completed 99.1 innings with 109 strikeouts and 32 walks while pitching to a 5.35 earned run average. However, he was quite impressive at the Double-A Texas League, which is generally considered very hitter-friendly. Enlow recorded a 3.17 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 13 walks in 54 innings pitched (11 appearances) prior to his promotion to Triple-A. Over his entire career, Enlow has a 4.00 ERA across 398 minor league innings pitched with 382 strikeouts and 146 walks.
Given the preponderance of starting pitching depth already in the Giants upper minors, it's not out of the question that the team could be looking to convert him to a bullpen role. Either way, Blaine Enlow will be gearing up for big-league camp with the SF Giants this offseason. When he arrives, he will be looking to earn a spot on the team's Opening Day roster.
