Recently released SF Giants outfielder signs with Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a minor-league contract with outfielder Stephen Piscotty and assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, per a press release by the minor-league affiliate. Piscotty spent spring training with the SF Giants, competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, the Pleasanton, California native was released after falling short of the Giants Opening Day roster.

Piscotty was the 36th overall pick back in the 2012 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Stanford. Despite playing both ways in college, Piscotty became a full-time outfielder in the professional ranks, and reached the majors by July of 2015.

Piscotty was incredibly productive as a rookie, hitting .305/.359/.494, and finished sixth in the Rookie of the Year voting. After hitting 22 home runs in his first full MLB campaign, he inked a six-year, $33.5 million contract with the Cardinals.

St. Louis traded Piscotty to the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2018 season. While he hit 27 home runs and posted an .821 OPS in his first season with the A's, injuries derailed his production over the next few seasons. Piscotty struggled mightily in 139 plate appearances last season, hitting .190/.252/.341 with 48 strikeouts and nine walks. Given his struggles, the A's released Piscotty last August.

It's worth wondering if the Giants wish they had given Piscotty an opportunity early this season. A right-handed hitter, Piscotty has always been more productive against left-handed pitching. With outfielders Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger both on the injured list, San Francisco has been searching for productivity against lefties.

Now Piscotty will join a White Sox team that is lacking right-handed options in the outfield. Luis Robert is the only one of Chicago's five outfielders on the big-league roster that bats right-handed. Piscotty will head to Triple-A and try to prove he can help the White Sox at the plate.