SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have a historical past of plucking struggling outfielders from the minor leagues and turning them into bonafide huge leaguers. They helped deliver Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade Jr. from minor league obscurity to main contributors on a 100-win group final season.
Lewis Brinson doesn’t precisely match the mould. A former No. 1 prospect with the Miami Marlins in 2018, Brinson’s title comes with excessive expectations and, due to his huge league struggles, some disappointment. However the Giants’ purpose for Brinson is identical: assist flip him into the bonafide huge leaguer he might be.
The Giants acquired Brinson, 28, from the Houston Astros on Thursday and added him to the expanded 28-man roster. He was available and at his new locker, although not within the lineup for Friday’s sport towards the Philadelphia Phillies. He got here with a purpose to not “attempt to impress anyone,” and a contemporary perspective.
“Be extra ready. I believe I used to be relying extra on my athleticism,” Brinson stated. “However up right here you must do your homework. And I’ve gotten higher at doing homework. As soon as I graduated highschool I believed homework was over, however I bought to the massive leagues and realized I've to do extra.”
As a prospect, Brinson was touted as a speedy and athletic outfielder. However he struggled on the plate. He was traded to his hometown Miami Marlins within the blockbuster deal that despatched Christian Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers and by no means hit above .226 in 4 seasons with the Marlins.
“I believe I put an excessive amount of strain on myself,” he stated. “I believed I used to be going to go on the market and bang straight away. It didn’t occur. I used to be upset. Everybody else was upset. I used to be fearful about what everybody else was fearful about. Now, I may care much less. I’m going to go on the market and play my sport and it’s going to be enjoyable.”
Non-tendered this offseason, the Houston Astros signed him to a minor league deal. He batted .299/.356/.574 with 22 dwelling runs with their triple-A affiliate Sugar Land Area Cowboys this 12 months. His new perspective is giving him new alternative.
Requested what he'll deliver to the Giants, Brinson stated he's “enjoyable, man. I wish to have a superb time.”
“Clearly on the sector I deliver pace, energy,” he stated. “That sport has developed from once I first go to the league so I’m going to assist this group win as a lot as I can.”