The Giants signed outfielder Cal Mitchell to a minor league deal. He was assigned to Double-A Richmond, where he’s making his organizational debut tonight. Mitchell was released from a minor league contract with the White Sox over the weekend.
A second-round pick by the Pirates in 2017, Mitchell reached the majors five years later. He hit .226/.286/.349 with five homers over 69 games as a rookie. Mitchell spent most of the following season on optional assignment to Triple-A before being designated for assignment that September. He cleared waivers and elected minor league free agency during the 2023-24 offseason. The San Diego native signed a minor league deal with his hometown club.
Mitchell spent all of last season with the Friars’ top farm team in El Paso. He had a good year, batting .277/.359/.512 with 22 home runs and 26 doubles across 469 plate appearances. Mitchell walked at a strong 11.7% clip against a serviceable 20.3% strikeout percentage. The Padres nevertheless didn’t bring him up.
The 26-year-old signed with the White Sox early last offseason. He struck out 11 times in 28 Spring Training plate appearances. The whiffs remained an issue in the minors. Mitchell fanned 14 times without drawing a walk over 10 Triple-A games. He hit .111 in 27 plate appearances, leading to his release. Mitchell now drops back a minor league level but gets a change of scenery to try to find his groove offensively.
