SF Giants recall RHP Cole Waites from Triple-A, option RHP Sean Hjelle

The SF Giants recalled the team's #26 prospect Cole Waites from Triple-A, optioning righty Sean Hjelle in a corresponding move.

Marc Delucchi | May 2, 2023

SF Giants recall RHP Cole Waites from Triple-A, option RHP Sean Hjelle /

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San Francisco Giants

The SF Giants recalled right-handed pitcher Cole Waites (Giants #26 prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. To create a space on the active roster, the Giants optioned righty Sean Hjelle (Giants #28 prospect). Hjelle has had some flashes in the pen with San Francisco early this season, but had his worst outing in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Astros, surrendering five runs on three hits and three walks in one inning pitched.

SF Giants relief pitcher Cole Waites throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (2022) — SF Giants relief pitcher Cole Waites throws a pitch against the Dodgers. (2022) / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Waites became the first player drafted by the Giants under Farhan Zaidi to play for the Giants last season. Waites was drafted in the 18th round of the 2019 draft out of West Alabama and quickly moved through the organization's minor-league ranks. In seven appearances with the Giants last season, he recorded a 3.18 ERA with four strikeouts and four walks in 5.2 innings pitched.

Waites has a strong two-pitch arsenal, a mid-90s fastball and high-80s slider that both have excellent characteristics. However, he has struggled with control throughout his career, which makes his promotion a bit surprising.

Waites was expected to compete for a spot on the Giants Opening Day roster this season, but a strained oblique early in spring training prevented him from making a strong push. He's struggled mightily back at Triple-A this season, walking 12 in 9.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts and a 9.31 ERA. Granted, he has only walked one in his past four appearances.

Hjelle, the Giants 2018 second-round pick, was a standout prospect during spring training, recording a 1.59 ERA across 17 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts and 3 walks. While he was omitted from the Opening Day roster, he was quickly called up from the minors. He has had flashes of effectiveness with his mid-90s sinker and breaking ball, but inconsistent command has prevented him from taking the next step.

The SF Giants bullpen has been one of the worst in MLB by most metrics through the first month of the season. The team is shaking things up and hopes that young Cole Waites can help stabilize the group for manager Gabe Kapler.

Published May 2, 2023

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).