© Stan Szeto | 2018 Aug 31
The Giants announced eight cuts to their spring training roster on Monday morning:
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants optioned infielder Abiatal Avelino, right-handed pitcher Sam Coonrod, infielder Ryder Jones, outfielder Chris Shaw and infielder Breyvic Valera following yesterday’s game. The Giants also reassigned right-handed pitchers Shaun Anderson, Enderson Franco and Keyvius Sampson post-game yesterday.
The Giants now have 45 players in camp plus one on the 60-day injured list (Johnny Cueto).
Avelino, 24, was acquired in the Andrew McCutchen trade to the Yankees last season. He made his major league debut with the Giants last year, notching three hits in 11 late-season plate appearances. Coonrod, 26, was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants in 2014. He threw just 11.2 rehab innings last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and has yet to pitch above the Double-A level. Jones, 24, is a former second-round pick who has complied 172 plate appearances with the big-league club over the past two seasons. He’s struggled with a slash line of .184/.250/.316 in the majors, but had a solid season at Triple-A Sacramento in 2018. Valera, 27, was purchased by the Giants in January. He’s played sparingly with the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Orioles over the past two seasons.
Anderson, 24, was acquired from the Red Sox in the Eduardo Nunez trade in 2017, and is considered one of the better pitching prospects in the organization. Anderson posted a 3.69 ERA while splitting time between Triple and Double-A last season. Franco, 26, was signed by the Giants to a minor-league contract this offseason. He posted a 3.85 ERA in 29 appearances (21 starts) in the Braves’ system last year. Sampson, 28, made 31 appearances (14 starts) with the Reds in 2015 and 2016 combined, and posted a 5.60 ERA.