Giants sign 3 pitchers to MiLB deals

The San Francisco Giants signed three pitchers, right-handers Jon Duplantier, Mauricio Llovera, and Gray Fenter to minor league deals on Dec. 3.

Duplantier, the No. 73 prospect on MLB Pipeline in 2018 and 2019, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft out of Rice University.

In 2017, Duplantier was MLB Pipeline’s Pitcher of the Year, a Baseball America Minor League All-Star, a Mid-Season All-Star, a Futures Game Selection, a MiLB.com Player of the Month, a MiLB.com Organization All-Star, and a MiLB.com Staff Choice for Best Starting Pitcher.

The 27-year-old is 19-6 with a 2.58 ERA, 300 strikeouts, 1.17 WHIP, and .212 opposing batting average in 262.0 MiLB innings (all in the Arizona organization).

In 19 games (seven starts) with the Diamondbacks, Duplantier is 1-4 with a 6.70 ERA, one save, 46 strikeouts, 1.69 WHIP, and .294 opposing batting average across 49.2 MLB innings.

The former Reno hurler has pitched three games at Sutter Health Park, two in 2019 and one in 2021, posting a 4.70 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, and six strikeouts in 7.2 innings against the River Cats.

The 25-year-old Llovera is the second pitcher signed with MLB experience. He transitioned from the rotation to the bullpen in 2021 with Philadelphia and is 1-0 in seven MLB appearances, with a 12.91 ERA and eight strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

In 32 Triple-A games with Lehigh Valley, Llovera is 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA, 48 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP, .212 opposing batting average, and five saves in 52.0 innings. He was named the GCL Player of the Month in Aug. of 2016.

Fenter, 25, has yet to reach Triple-A, but is 22-13 with a 3.78 ERA, 352 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP, and .215 opposing batting average in 307.1 MiLB innings for the Baltimore organization.

In 21 games for Double-A Bowie this season, Fenter was 6-4 with a 5.47 ERA, 86 strikeouts, 1.54 WHIP, and a .243 opposing batting average in 77.1 innings.