Giants call up Luis Matos as Haniger goes to I.L.

Jun 14, 2023, 8:21 AM | Updated: 8:25 am

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Luis Matos #6 of the Scottsdale Scorpions bats during the game between...

(Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

The youth movement continues for the San Francisco Giants.

Following the disheartening news that outfielder Mitch Haniger suffered a right forearm fracture, it was reported by multiple outlets that the club has called up highly-anticipated seventh-ranked outfield prospect Luis Matos.

Haniger will be placed on the injured list, while infielder J.D. Davis’ status is uncertain after the 30-year-old departed Tuesday night’s game with a sprained ankle.

As San Francisco looks to weather the latest flurry of injuries, Matos appears to be on his way to making his Major League Baseball debut on the heels of a red-hot stretch of play with AAA Sacramento.

Over his past 13 games with the River Cats, Matos held a .467 batting average while mashing seven home runs–one taking place just before the 21-year-old was pulled from Tuesday’s game in Texas– driving in 18 runs, and stealing four bases.

Matos is in Wednesday’s lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals, batting second and playing center field.

Luis Matos cannot be stopped!

The @SFGiants' No. 7 prospect delivers his sixth homer in six games for the @RiverCats: pic.twitter.com/0C3QZdTs2f

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 14, 2023

“Matos has been swinging the bat really well,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said on Tuesday when asked about Matos.

“It’s an exciting moment for the organization. Obviously, it comes on the heels of something that was really disappointing in the Haniger injury, but certainly, we’re excited to see what Matos can bring to the table when he’s ultimately making his debut for us.”

Over 31 appearances with AAA Sacramento this season, Matos posted a .398 batting average while hitting seven home runs, driving in 18 runs, stealing six bases, and posting an astounding 1.120 on-base plus slugging percentage thanks to his strong eye (seven walks vs. eight strikeouts).

Matos has played all three outfield positions this season but has primarily been used as a center fielder at AA and AAA (31 games).

Now, the time has come to see how Matos will fare at the MLB level along with recent call-ups Casey Schmitt, Patrick Bailey, and Blake Sabol.

Luis Matos has been pulled mid-game. He’s heading to St. Louis to join the team #sfgiants pic.twitter.com/rbHZdjUkfp

— NothingLikeIt (@NothingLikeItSF) June 14, 2023