SF Giants call up #3 prospect Casey Schmitt, DFA DH Darin Ruf

The SF Giants have called up infielder prospect Casey Schmitt on Tuesday, designating slugger Darin Ruf for assignment in a corresponding move.

The SF Giants have added Casey Schmitt (Giants #3 prospect) to the 40-man roster and recalled the 24-year-old infielder from Triple-A Sacramento. In a pair of corresponding moves, the Giants designated corner bat Darin Ruf for assignment and optioned outfielder Cal Stevenson. Schmitt's promotion was first reported by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

SF Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt tags a runner during spring training. (2023) / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Schmitt will become the first member of the Giants 2020 MLB Draft class to reach the majors. A two-way star at San Diego State, the Giants drafted Schmitt in the second round with plans to let him focus on his work as a position player. An excellent defensive third baseman with power potential, Schmitt immediately drew some comparisons to Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, who had been drafted by Giants scouting director Michael Holmes during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics.

Schmitt's promotion seemed inevitable after a standout spring training, but it's hard not to be a little surprised by the Giants aggressiveness. Schmitt has hit .313/.352/.410 in 145 plate appearances this season at Triple-A, but in the context of the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, that is a well below-average line (17% worse than the average hitter, per wRC+). With that said, Schmitt has been on a tear recently, posting a .375/.483/.583 line in his past six games with two doubles, a homer, two steals, and as many walks as strikeouts (4).

The Giants are likely more confident in Schmitt's offensive readiness than his Triple-A numbers may indicate because of his exceptional performance at MLB spring training. In 34 plate appearances, Schmitt hit .441/.441/.794 with two doubles, two triples, and two home runs. He was arguably the Giants most productive hitter during the preseason.

Schmitt, of course, is coming off a breakout 2022 campaign when he hit .293/.365/.489 with 25 doubles and 21 home runs in 125 games between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. The right-handed bat began consistently tapping into his power in games for the first time in his career and posted an improved OPS with each subsequent promotion.

Schmitt also showed off surprising versatility, sliding over to shortstop for a prolonged period of time and holding his own. While he has the potential to be the best defensive third baseman in MLB, he also looked like a viable shortstop. With J.D. Davis and LaMonte Wade Jr. entrenched at the hot corner and first base, he will likely see time at shortstop and second base, a position he has played three times in his career (all in the past week at Triple-A).

SF Giants outfielder Darin Ruf holds a bat while waiting in the on-deck circle. (2022) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While Schmitt is beginning his MLB career, it's worth wondering if Ruf has played his final big-league game. Ruf had a late-career breakout with the Giants from 2020-2021 after a stint in the KBO, but he regressed last season before he was traded to the New York Mets at the trade deadline.

Ruf's performance collapsed in New York, and he was ultimately designated for assignment and released early this season. He returned to the Giants on a minor-league deal and had some exciting highlights, but still performed in line with his mediocre 2022. He was hitting .200/.333/.250 on a rehab assignment at Triple-A.

A below-average defender at first base and left field, Ruf needs to hit to stick on a MLB roster. He's set to turn 37 in July with a .650 OPS over the past two seasons and will almost assuredly clear waivers. He could remain in the Giants organization if he accepts an outright assignment, but he may also force his release to return to free agency.

The Giants acquired Stevenson in a minor trade with the A's in late April. An approach-oriented hitter with limited power and the ability to play all three outfield positions, Stevenson went 0-for-9 with three walks and two strikeouts in six games with the big-league club.

The SF Giants shook up their roster on Tuesday morning, promoting one of the top prospects in their organization while parting ways with an old friend. Indeed the Casey Schmitt era may be beginning in San Francisco as the organization likely prepares to part ways with Darin Ruf.