The Marlins have released second baseman Johnny Giavotella from their Triple-A club, the infielder himself revealed yesterday (Twitter link). The 30-year-old Giavotella will now explore opportunities in free agency as he looks to latch on with another organization.
Giavotella opened the 2018 season on the minor league disabled list with a hip issue — he had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip last August — but was activated mid-April and appeared in 10 games before being cut loose. He hit .214/.389/.250 with a stolen base in that brief sample of work with the Marlins’ New Orleans affiliate. Miami activated shortstop JT Riddle from the 10-day DL yesterday and optioned him to Triple-A, adding an important name to the mix for middle infield playing time in New Orleans and likely cutting into some of Giavotella’s opportunity.
Giavotella received just 10 big league plate appearances in 2017, all coming with the Orioles, but he enjoyed a highly productive season with Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting .306/.368/.441 with five homers, 22 doubles, four triples and four steals in 379 plate appearances. He was also a regular in the Angels’ big league lineup not long ago, totaling 869 PAs and hitting a combined .267/.305/.375 with the Halos from 2015-16.
In all, while Giavotella has struggled to get on base in the Majors (career .294 OBP in 1344 PAs), he’s a lifetime .312/.381/.446 hitter in parts of seven Triple-A campaigns — a track record that should provide him ample opportunity to latch on with a club in need of some depth second base.
Better than Jace Pederson?
I’ll take him over Culberson. Get him AA.
Loved him when he was with the halos but bottom line is that he’s a AAAA player
Agreed. Giovatella’s biggest hindrance is that he only plays 2B so it’s hard to justify using him as a bench player in the majors. There are plenty of others who can get on base at least as often and are more versatile in the field.
I assumed Riddle would replace Rivera on the Marlins. Probably next week.
Just wait…the DBacks will pick him up. They love to sign underperforming 30-something infielders so that they can keep the guys in their farm system DOWN on the farm. Makes perfect sense! Watch and wait….
Go get him Coppy!
Test
Johnny Gio is free-O!
Hey Johnny, head for Texas! It seems there is a “land field” in Arlington, Texas that is smelling up the joint! Maybe you can add a little cologne by latching on to the local ball club that still thinks it is a major league franchise.
he would be a decent bench option if he could play more than one position. Bat doesn’t warrant using a roster spot on it
Bring him to mets to be our catcher!!
Pretty bad when you get released by the Marlins.