Report: Yankees sign former SF Giants, White Sox outfielder Luis González

The New York Yankees have agreed to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to MLB spring training with former SF Giants outfielder Luis González.

Marc Delucchi | Dec 21, 2023

Report: Yankees sign former SF Giants, White Sox outfielder Luis González /

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The New York Yankees have agreed to a minor-league contract with former SF Giants outfielder Luis González, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Per Rosenthal, the deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, which will give González an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Yankees Opening Day roster. González had been in the Giants organization since 2021, but was released in September.

SF Giants right fielder Luis Gonzalez (51) hits a single against the Atlanta. (2022) — SF Giants right fielder Luis Gonzalez hits a single against the Atlanta. (2022) / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Back surgery limited González to just 31 games in 2023, all in the minor leagues. After some impressive Triple-A production in 2022, González took a step back at the plate, hitting just .248/.350/.352 in 132 plate appearances between Triple-A and the Arizona Complex League. With a lessened workload as the Giants eased him into games, he only appeared in the field in 22 games. None in center field.

González was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of New Mexico, and steadily climbed the minor-league ladder. He made his big-league debut with Chicago during the 2020 season but appeared in just 13 MLB games from 2020-2021 because of a combination of the shortened 2020 season, organizational depth, and injuries.

The Giants claimed the Arizona native off waivers during the 2021 season when the White Sox had designated him for assignment while he recovered from shoulder surgery. San Francisco stashed him on the 60-day injured list with hopes he could help the team down the line. It paid off in 2022.

González cracked the Giants big-league roster early in the season and hit .347/.384/.485 in 112 plate appearances through May, earning him Rookie of the Month honors. However, his performance faded as the year went on. Giants manager Gabe Kapler said González's production dipped because he playing through a lower back strain that forced him to finish the year on the injured list. Nevertheless, he finished last season with a .254/.323/.360 line, adding 17 doubles, four home runs, and 10 stolen bases in 98 games. Then, before he could make an impact in 2023, González was sidelined by back surgery.

González is a well-rounded defensive outfielder who has flashed the ability to handle all three spots, although his range can be tested in center. He has also posted a .755 OPS against right-handed pitchers in the majors. The Yankees currently have a right-handed heavy outfield mix, opening up a lane for Luis González to potentially crack the Opening Day roster with an impressive spring training performance.

Published Dec 21, 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).