The Giants have claimed infielder Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Mariners, according to announcements from both teams. Seattle designated Kennedy for assignment last week. The Giants also announced that they’ve transferred left-hander Matt Gage to the 60-day injured list, clearing a 40-man roster spot for Kennedy.
It’s a reunion between San Francisco and Kennedy. The 27-year-old had been in the Giants organization since inking a minor league deal in December. They selected Kennedy’s contract on June 1st, though he only took eight plate appearances before being designated for assignment. He was then dealt to Seattle in exchange for cash considerations, and similarly, he only had 11 plate appearances with his new club. All told, Kennedy is batting just .059/.158/.118 in the majors this year.
The poor output in a limited sample is in line with how Kennedy’s career has gone. Since debuting for the Diamondbacks in 2022, he has batted .167/.260/.259 in 200 plate appearances while grading out 52% worse than league average by wRC+. He’s mostly played second and third base in that time, though his defensive grades are unremarkable. In contrast, Kennedy has been quite productive at Triple-A this year. In 218 plate appearances there, he’s batting .321/.424/.543 with a 152 wRC+ and matching 12.4% strikeout and walk rates.
The end product is something we’ve seen before: a Quad-A depth hitter who hasn’t translated minor league production into big league success. Kennedy should fill that depth role again with the Giants, and he might get a few call-ups as the season goes on. Luis Arraez is likely to be traded before the 5pm Central deadline tomorrow. Matt Chapman has been on the IL for a month with an abdominal strain, and he doesn’t appear to be nearing a return. He’s headed for another MRI tomorrow, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Casey Schmitt, who’s split time between the infield and outfield, is likely done for the year due to meniscus surgery.
The Giants have Osleivis Basabe and Nate Furman on hand as backup infielders. Both are young and have little major league experience, and Furman is still awaiting his first plate appearance. Kennedy could be an alternative to those two, though he’d have to show more on offense if he wants to stick around through the end of the season. As a player who has been outrighted before, Kennedy has the right to elect free agency if the Giants designate him for assignment and he clears waivers.
Gage went on the 15-day IL on July 4th for a left elbow strain. He also missed two weeks earlier in the season for right knee inflammation, working a 5.60 ERA in 27 1/3 innings around those injuries. Per the team’s official injury report, Gage received a platelet-rich plasma injection last month and should be re-evaluated soon. He is eligible to return in the first week of September.
Photo courtesy of Pablo Robles, Imagn Images
