SF Giants acquire versatile outfielder from Phillies in minor trade

The SF Giants traded cash considerations to the Philadelphia Phillies for versatile right-handed bat Dalton Guthrie on Thursday.

The SF Giants acquired versatile position player Dalton Guthrie in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. To create a spot on the 40-man roster for Guthrie, the Giants moved outfielder Mitch Haniger to the 60-day injured list. Following the trade, the Giants optioned Guthrie to Triple-A Sacramento. He had been designated for assignment by the Phillies earlier in the week.

Phillies outfielder Dalton Guthrie slides into home against the Tigers. (2023) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Guthrie was drafted by the Phillies in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Florida. He struggled early in his professional career but began stringing together positive performances following the canceled 2020 season. He made his big-league debut with the Phillies last year and has appeared in 37 games with them over the past two seasons.

At 27, Guthrie is on the older side for a prospect. However, he has posted a career .296/.359/.467 triple-slash with 46 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, and 26 stolen bases in 151 Triple-A games. While that line is far from exceptional, it is noticably above-average in the International League, a far more pitcher-friendly league than the Pacific Coast League-where the Giants Triple-A affiliate plays.

Guthrie has only received 56 big-league plate appearances over the past two years. He had a .976 OPS in his 2022 small-sample, but struggled mightily this season, combining for a .244/.393/.333 line. More advanced numbers, like xwOBA (.322), viewed him as a roughly league-average offensive contributor during his time in the majors.

Offensively, Guthrie is limited by below-average power potential, but has been able to manage solid extra-base hit numbers in the upper minors with an advanced approach and solid hit tool. Still, the bulk of his value comes from his abilities on the defensive end.

Guthrie is at least an average defensive outfielder at all three spots and was drafted and developed as a middle infielder. So, with that extensive experience, he is also viable on the dirt at second base, third base, and possibly shortstop.

Whether the SF Giants envision Guthrie as a future big-league contributor or not, he gives them some versatile right-handed hitting depth in the upper minors. It continues a longstanding trend under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi of targeting older, versatile depth pieces when the team has an open spot on the 40-man roster. Now, Dalton Guthrie will look to earn another MLB opportunity with the Sacramento River Cats.