Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — The Giants do appreciate prospects with high ceilings — Skye-high.
San Francisco claimed center fielder Skye Bolt from Oakland and designated righty Ashton Goudeau for assignment before opening a series in San Diego on Monday.
Bolt had been designated for assignment by the A’s after a solid minor league career and brief major league one all while being one of the great names in baseball.
The switch-hitter has a reputation for good outfield defense, and the Giants are lacking in true center fielders; behind Mauricio Dubon are corner outfielders and Steven Duggar, who’s at the alternate site.
The 27-year-old Bolt, a fourth-round pick in 2015, had 11 big-league plate appearances in 2019. His best minor league season was the year prior, when he knocked 19 homers and stole 19 bases in 124 games split between High- and Double-A. He draws walks — his .335 career minor league OBP is nearly 90 points higher than his average (.249).
It’s a curious move considering the Giants have Duggar, LaMonte Wade and Jaylin Davis, who all figure to get significant time at Triple-A. Davis is out 4-6 weeks with knee tendinitis. Top prospect Heliot Ramos is expected to open the season at Double-A.
The Giants have said they would seek a shortstop, and while Bolt is a good athlete, he has never played the infield in the minors.
Of course, don’t get too attached to Bolt, who could be DFA’d again soon as the Giants try to keep him in the system while passing him through waivers. They are trying to do exactly that with Goudea, a 28-year-old righty who was picked up from Baltimore in mid-March.