The Giants bats came alive as they took on the Rockies at home, scoring nine runs on 12 hits to top Colorado 9-2.
SAN FRANCISCO -- For the third time in about two weeks, the Giants acquired an infielder who was previously with the Seattle Mariners. But this time, it came with a price.
Before Wednesday's game, the Giants sent hard-throwing right-hander Prelander Berroa to Seattle in exchange for Donovan Walton, a left-handed hitting infielder who was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants had previously acquired Kevin Padlo and Mike Ford -- who was DFA'd to clear a roster spot for Walton -- when they were in a bind, but this move may be more about what's coming at some point.
Walton has not had much success in the big leagues, but he's a versatile player who has high-quality plate appearances and -- perhaps most importantly -- he has an option remaining. The Giants may at some point need to make a move with one of their big leaguers, as Tommy La Stella is on the way back from Achilles surgery and both Thairo Estrada and Mauricio Dubon are out of options and too good to clear waivers. It's also possible this is insurance in case La Stella, the only left-handed option the Giants have at second base, does not return to form.
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Walton, 27, has 37 scattered appearances over the last four years for the Mariners. He has a .196/.260/.315 slash line in the Majors with two homers in 92 at-bats. In six minor league seasons, he has posted a .375 on-base percentage with 38 homers and a good strikeout-to-walk percentage. Walton has primarily been a middle infielder in the minors and most of his big league experience has come at shortstop and second base. The profile is one the Giants have had a lot of success with the last three years.
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The inclusion of Berroa was a bit of a surprise, as the Giants have generally been able to add depth without giving away prospects with high upside. The right-hander is just 22 years old and popped up on the radar last year when he struck out 135 in 98 2/3 innings for Low-A San Jose. Through four appearances at High-A, Berroa had allowed just one run in 13 1/3 innings and struck out 16.
Berroa is likely ticketed for a bullpen at some point, but he's the type of arm teams don't like to lose. The Giants are now down to just one of the three players they acquired in the Sam Dyson trade with the Minnesota Twins in 2019. Pitcher Kai-Wei Teng is still in their system, but outfielder Jaylin Davis was DFA'd earlier this season.
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