Giants outfielder Hunter Bishop has become the first member of the team to test positive for COVID-19, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Bishop is exhibiting “mild symptoms” and “was not in contact with any of our players and staff subsequent to when he believes he was infected,” president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi announced.
The plan was for Bishop to be part of the Giants’ initial player pool, but they left him off as a result of this positive test. Bishop will be back under consideration if he returns to full strength, per Pavlovic, though it will be at least a couple weeks before he can join the team in camp. Manager Gabe Kapler said Bishop will “do nothing for the next 14 days.” He’ll also have to test negative for the virus twice before he’s eligible to participate.
The 22-year-old Bishop, whom the Giants drafted 10th overall in 2019, registered strong production during his first season in the organization. In 146 plate appearances divided between the rookie and Low-A levels, Bishop slashed .229/.438/.429 with five home runs, and though he did strike out 39 times, he also drew 38 walks. MLB.com ranks Bishop as the game’s 71st overall prospect, while FanGraphs credits him for his “rare physical tools.”
