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The SF Giants are adding a minor league infielder from the American Association. According to a league announcement, Dayson Croes’ contract is being transferred to the Giants. This would translate to a minor league deal for Croes.

SF Giants are adding minor league infielder from the American Association

The transaction has been reflected on the Giants’ transaction page. Croes has been assigned to the Arizona Complex League (ACL) Giants. Their season begins on Saturday.

The Giants have had some success in scouting independent ball for major league players. Spencer Bivens was pitching for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League before joining the Giants organization in 2022.

It is not quite the same market, but they also signed Bo Davidson and Trent Harris as undrafted free agents in 2023. Both would have likely latched on with an independent ball team if they had not found a home with a major league organization. If the Giants can find one or two major leaguers this way, then it is well worth the scouting effort.

Dayson Croes was born in Noord, Aruba. There are only a handful of recent major leaguers out of Aruba, including Xander Bogaerts and Chadwick Tromp. Oddly enough, former big league pitcher Sydney Ponson was also born in Noord, Aruba.

Croes attended Quincy University for three seasons. During that time, he registered a .388/.453/.616 line with a 9.6 percent walk rate, 6.3 percent strikeout rate, and .228 ISO. When his collegiate career came to an end after the 2022 season, his name was not called during that year’s draft nor was he signed afterwards as an undrafteed free agent.

Instead, he joined the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. Over the past two seasons, he has posted an .842 OPS with eight home runs and 118 RBI in 856 plate appearances.

The left-handed bat hits for both contact and line drives, especially to the pull side. There is not a lot of lift in his swing currently, so the power upside might be limited. He does have a knack for putting the ball in play to keep the line moving.

In the field, Croes has split time at second base and third base with the Goldeneyes. This will be his first stint in affiliated ball.