River Cats and Giants Offseason Update (11/28-12/4) 

The Winter Meetings are officially underway. In addition to Major League free-agent signings, the San Francisco Giants could improve their depth in the upper Minors.

The Giants added one right-handed pitcher via waivers last week, while three former River Cats signed with new organizations.

40-Man roster additions

San Francisco’s lone newcomer last week was the waiver claim of righty Miguel Yajure.

The 24-year-old former Yankees and Pirates prospect pitched 79.0 innings last season between Pittsburgh and Triple-A Indianapolis.

He went 4-4 with a 6.09 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and a 1.50 WHIP in 54.2 Triple-A innings, and 1-1 with an 8.88 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and a 1.93 WHIP in 24.1 MLB innings in 2022.

Yajure has been used predominantly as a starter in his career, with 83 starts in 107 professional games.

After making his MLB debut on Aug. 31, 2020 with the Yankees, Yajure was packaged with three other prospects to Pittsburgh for righty Jameson Taillon on Jan. 24, 2021.

Former River Cats signing elsewhere

Righty Trevor Gott, a member of the River Cats’ bullpen in 2021, signed an MLB contract with Seattle on Nov. 30.

Gott will forever hold a place in franchise lore. On Sept. 3, 2021, four River Cats combined to no-hit the Salt Lake Bees, with Gott recording the final three outs in a perfect ninth inning.

He converted three saves while posting a 4.10 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and a 1.27 WHIP in 41.2 frames for Sacramento that season. The 30-year-old was 3-4 with a 4.14 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and a 1.03 WHIP in 45.2 innings for Milwaukee in 2022.

Righty Shelby Miller signed a Major League contract with the reigning NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 1.

The 32-year-old was a key arm in the River Cats’ bullpen this season, finishing second on the team with eight saves. The 2015 NL All-Star had a 3.62 ERA, 44 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP in 32.1 innings with Sacramento before ending the season in San Francisco. The 10-year MLB veteran struck out 14 of 30 batters faced with the Giants.

Catcher Michael Papierski signed an MiLB deal with Detroit last week. He joined the River Cats on May 14 of this past season after spending the first five years of his professional career in the Houston organization. The 2017 ninth round pick out of LSU was acquired by San Francisco in exchange for a fan favorite in Sacramento, infielder Mauricio Dubón.

Papierski hit .208 with five runs, two doubles, two homers, and 13 RBIs in 14 games for the River Cats. He made his MLB debut with San Francisco on May 21, scoring a run and working a walk in nine games before the Reds claimed him on June 25.