San Francisco claimed Jewell off of waivers from an LA team for the second season in a row.
Farhan Zaidi and Scott Harris have earned the benefit of the doubt. The San Francisco Giants aren’t going to hit on every roster move they make, but it’s safe to say that when they add a player, it’s because their talent evaluators have identified something interesting.
They’ve turned middle Minor Leaguers into quality Major Leaguers before, and the farm system has enough depth that there’s no need to add players just keep seats warm. Players are added because there’s something worth exploring.
And when there’s something worth exploring, it doesn’t usually go away. Which is why the Giants have claimed Jake Jewell. Again. Off of waivers from Los Angeles. Again.
Admittedly it’s from a different LA team this time, but whatever.
On Tuesday the Giants claimed Jewell, a right-handed pitcher, off of waivers after the Los Angeles Dodgers jettisoned him, just a few days after they claimed him off of waivers when the Chicago Cubs designated him for assignment. Jewell was immediately optioned to AAA Sacramento.
Giants Roster Move: RHP Jake Jewell claimed off waivers from Los Angeles-NL and optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
— Amy Gutierrez (@amygmultimedia) September 7, 2021
Jewell first came to the Giants in a move that exemplified their churning ways. He was claimed off of waivers from the Los Angeles Angels in January 2020, then DFA’d a week later when someone else was claimed. Jewell was outrighted to AAA, and spent the season at the organization’s Alternate Training Site, though he was never added back to the 40-man roster.
At season’s end, Jewell elected free agency and signed with the Cubs.
It didn’t go well in Chicago this year, as he appeared in 10 games and had a 9.90 ERA, 9.17 FIP, and 2.300 WHIP, with 10 strikeouts to 5 walks in 10 innings. In 31 career games over three seasons (2018, 2019, and 2021), Jewell has a 7.75 ERA, 7.32 FIP, and 1.617 WHIP, with 34 strikeouts to 14 walks in 38.1 innings.
Because Jewell was added to the organization this late in the season, he will not be eligible to join the postseason roster.