ICYMI: 6'11 Giant Called Up To Giants, Catcher Heads To IL

As the biggest — and we mean BIGGEST — spring standout for the San Francisco Giants, 6'11" prospect Sean Hjelle made an impression. And when a roster opening camp up on Sunday, he was immediately on the minds of Giants' brass. 

The long & lanky right-hander posted a 1.59 ERA, along with a 1.06 WHIP and 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings during spring training, and although he didn't make the Opening Day roster, he was up in The Show on Sunday, with catcher Joey Bart heading to the injured list with a mild back strain. 

Unfortunately, Hjelle had a bit of a rocky outing in his first 2023 appearance, as he surrendered two earned runs on three walks, with three strikeouts, in two innings of work in relief of starter Ross Stripling. The Giants lost 6-0 to the New York Yankees. 

Sean Hjelle had trouble finding his spots for pretty much his entire outing pic.twitter.com/VnST0VoItr

— Alec Crouthamel (@aleccr12) April 2, 2023

Hjelle also pitched in 25 innings for the Giants last season in his big league debut, posting a 5.76 ERA with 10.1 K/9.  

With Bart on the IL, the Giants are going with Roberto Perez and Blake Sabol for now behind the plate. Sabol is a Rule 5 pick (the Giants traded for him after the Reds selected him from the Pittsburgh Pirates), and has caught in all four of San Francisco's games to date. He has just one hit in 10 at-bats. He'll need to stick on the roster all season or be offered back to the Pirates.

Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports