SF Giants cut ties with former Houston Astros minor league infielder
The SF Giants trimmed its organizational depth recently. Former Houston Astros minor league infielder Michael Wielansky was released by the Giants organization, per the team’s transaction log.
SF Giants cut ties with former Houston Astros minor league infielder
Not every move by the organization is designed to impact the 40-man roster. Some moves are meant to give certain affiliates extra coverage at positions where they might be running thin. The Giants added Wielansky on a minor league pact midway through the 2023 season and assigned him to the Eugene Emeralds.
The minor league infielder was selected in the 18th round of the 2018 draft by the Astros out of the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. The College of Wooster is considered one of the better Division III programs in the country, so while it is tough to get noticed with a Division III school, doing so for one of the better programs certainly helps. Wielansky had a strong college career where he posted a .398 batting average across three seasons before forgoing his senior year in favor of joining the Astros organization. This included a $75,000 signing bonus.
Similar to many prospects drafted in the years leading up to the canceled 2020 season, Wielansky’s development was stalled in part to the lost development time from that as well as injuries. The right-handed bat only appeared in 122 games with the Astros organization before he was released after the 2021 season. This included a 43-game stint during his draft year in the lower minors.
For parts of the last two seasons, Wielansky has been playing in the Atlantic League, which is non-affiliated ball. The righty bat recorded a .320/400/.660 line with eight home runs and 21 RBI in 115 plate appearances with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2023 before he was signed by the Giants.
Unfortunately, this was a very brief stint. Wielansky was placed on the injured list after recording just three hits in 25 at-bats for the Emeralds. He attempted a rehab assignment, but the season finished before he was able to return to Eugene. The versatile middle infielder is now a free agent after being released.
