Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Overnight, 72 became 55.
Seventeen Giants players were reassigned out of major league camp Friday, narrowing the field of the likeliest to make the Opening Day roster. The biggest surprises were a pitcher who had begun to establish himself last season in Jandel Gustave, and a hitter who has sought to establish himself since being a first-round pick in 2015 in Chris Shaw.
Gustave, the hard-throwing righty who posted a 2.96 ERA in 23 games last season, had not impressed early in camp, getting knocked around in three Cactus League appearances. Shaw, the first baseman and left-fielder, has played 38 games in the majors the past two seasons and emerged as a minor league standout, but that success has yet to translate. He was 2-for-12 in his time in major league camp.
Other names you might recognize include Sam Selman, who hadn’t given up a run in 3 2/3 innings, but as an option-able lefty on a team with southpaws Tony Watson, Jarlin Garcia and Jerry Blevins higher in the pecking order, his path to Opening Day is blocked; Conner Menez, who appeared in eight games with the Giants last year, but had struggled thus far; Tyler Cyr, a lifetime minor leaguer with good stuff; Kean Wong, a flexible infield pickup; and shortstop Abiatal Avelino, who has had cups of coffee in the majors the last two seasons.
Sean Hjelle, the fascinating and sky-scraping pitching prospect, also is among the cuts, but he performed well in camp.
The full list before the Giants play the Brewers:
Optioned to Triple-A Sacramento:
— RHP Melvin Adon
— IF Abiatal Avelino
— RHP Jandel Gustave
— LHP Conner Menez
— LHP Sam Selman
— IF Chris Shaw
— IF Kean Wong
Reassigned to minor league camp:
— RHP Tyler Cyr
— C Ricardo Genoves
— RHP Sean Hjelle
— RHP Jake Jewell
— RHP Luis Madero
— RHP Trey McNutt
— LHP Sam Moll
— RHP Raffi Vizcaino
— OF Jamie Westbrook
— RHP Sam Wolff