Thursday BP: Giants sign Zack Littell to a Minor League deal

Hello and happy Thursday.

On Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants made another mildly interesting Minor League signing. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants added right-handed pitcher Zack Littell to a Minor League contract with a Major League camp invite.

Littell, 25, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners, but has played his three MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins. In those three years (2018-2020), he’s appeared in 43 games, and sports a 4.52 ERA, a 5.52 FIP, and a 5.00 xFIP, with 49 strikeouts to 23 walks in 63.2 innings.

Those aren’t very good numbers, but he’s still quite young, and has had some strong Minor League seasons. In 2018 he pitched 106 AAA innings and had a 3.57 ERA and a 3.34 FIP, while striking out 8.3 batters per nine innings.

Old, random MCC article for you to read

Giants Shut Out Dodgers Again, Move One Game Back, and, Oh, Man, You Should Type That a Few Times Because It Feels Awesome (June 26, 2012 — Grant Brisbee)

Giants links

• Roger Munter looks at under the radar prospect Mac Marshall (There R Giants)
• Grant Brisbee on the Giants intriguing Minor League signees (The Athletic, subscription required)
• John Shea on how the Giants and A’s will honor Black History Month (SF Chronicle)
• Steve Gilbert looks at the NL West catchers (MLB)

How many days until Opening Day?

There are 56 days until Opening Day. That is so many and so few, all at once.

Have a great Thursday, friends.