The Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, released Stephen Piscotty on Wednesday, per the transaction log on MiLB.com. The 32-year-old outfielder is now a free agent.
Piscotty agreed to a minor league contract with the Giants in February, receiving an invitation to spring training. Despite a strong showing in the Cactus League (.810 OPS in ten games), he was reassigned to Triple-A Sacramento toward the end of the spring. He requested his release before Opening Day, a request the organization granted. The veteran signed another minor league deal with the White Sox a few weeks later and was assigned to Triple-A Charlotte. Unfortunately, he didn’t exactly light up the International League, batting .232 with a .720 OPS in 51 games before his release.
The journeyman began his career with the Cardinals, who selected him in the first round of the 2012 draft using one of the compensation picks they received for losing Albert Pujols. Piscotty made his big league debut in 2015, slashing .305/.359/.494 in 63 games and even earning a down-ballot Rookie of the Year vote. He was promising enough in his first two seasons to earn a six-year, $33.75 million extension that would keep him under contract until 2022 (with a club option for 2023). However, he struggled at the plate in his third season, and the Cardinals would trade him to the Athletics the following winter.
Piscotty bounced back in his first season with the A’s, hitting a career-high 27 home runs to go along with an .821 OPS. However, his bounceback was shortlived; his 2019 season was plagued by injuries, and his offensive numbers plummeted again. His struggles only intensified in 2020 and 2021; his strikeout rate soared, his power disappeared, and injuries continued to take their toll on his body. In 117 games from 2020-21, he posted a 28.1% strikeout rate, a 6.1% walk rate, and a .133 isolated power, good for a .632 OPS. The 2022 campaign was more of the same, and the Athletics eventually released Piscotty in August. He has not played a game in the majors since.
The Reds took a shot at Piscotty that summer, signing him to a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Louisville. He spent the rest of the year with the Louisville Bats, electing free agency after the season.
Now a free agent once again, Piscotty is available for clubs that might need outfield depth at Triple-A. He’s no longer the hitter he was during his peak from 2015-18, but still just 32 years old, a team might be interested in taking him on as a fixer-upper project.
His home run at Fenway his first at-bat after his mom passed away will forever be an amazing moment for Piscotty and the A’s.
I remember when we traded him to Oakland wasn’t a fan of the trade, but when I found out the details about the trade the only problem I had with it was he wasn’t on my team, all kidding aside glad things worked out like they did so he could spend what time he had with his mom.
No one tell Farhan Zaidi, this is just the type of player he covets.
And with Pollock banged up it could happen any second…
Pollock didn’t work could be a giant soon. Farhan hates ramos.
I doubt Zaidi hates him, but it does seem like promotions of prospects got slow-played during his time as Dodger GM.
Ramos is back up now.
Pollock was just hopeful stop gap for Haniger’s return. Just hope Ramos can get it going and make Matos compete too. Pollock is a DFA as soon as Haniger returns.
Dude had a couple seasons anyone would be proud of, he’s not worth it now, but how many of us are?
Seems like a good guy, had a tough family situation. Was great initially for A’s but injuries and hitting , plus taking on a significant contract for the usually cheap A’s
Smart guy, too. Earned his Bachelor’s in atmospheric and energy engineering at Stanford
No problem with him as a person, but how bad do you have to be to get cut by the White Sox?
Maybe he showed up for too many meeting. They figured he was a kiss up.
It’s funny because this organization is a clown show.
Well, that can best be summed up as a “garbage in, garbage out” situation. CWS always seems puzzled that these reclamation projects don’t magically turn to gold under their tutelage.
Seems like they are dumping anyone that says there are clubhouse problems. Probably spoke out
If the most unlikable team in sports release you, It’s time for Plan B
He’s made $34 million, not including his signing bonus and minor league money, from baseball. Pretty, pretty good.
8 seasons in the majors plus a couple more in the minors. Pretty respectable run for a ball player.
Watch the dodgers pick him up and they do there magic and goes on a tear, by no means I’m saying this will happen but it wouldn’t surprise me it’s also what makes lad so good is there ability to find players on life support and revive them
Blue Jays like their Cardinal castoffs.
CWS released him in case a MLB team needs depth or temp replacement down the stretch.