Former Houston Astros infielder Shay Whitcomb is headed to San Francisco.
The Giants claimed Whitcomb off waivers Thursday, three days after the Astros designated him for assignment to make room for outfielder Nelson Velázquez on the 40-man roster.
Whitcomb, a fifth-round pick by Houston in the 2020 MLB Draft, appeared in 57 games for the Astros over parts of three seasons. He hit .167/.216/.292 in 102 major-league plate appearances.
His opportunities in Houston were limited and often brief. Whitcomb appeared in 17 games across four separate call-ups this season while spending most of the year at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he posted a .758 OPS with nine home runs in 73 games.
Despite those brief stints, Whitcomb became a fan favorite, with his power potential and ability to play multiple positions making him an easy player to root for.
The 27-year-old infielder showed considerably more power during his climb through the Astros’ farm system. In 2023, Whitcomb hit 35 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, tying for the most in the minor leagues that season.
Because the Giants claimed Whitcomb on waivers, the Astros will not receive a player in return.
