In December 2022, when the SF Giants traded Him, both Farhan Zaidi and Gabe Kapler were intrigued by the potential of him staying at catcher. Now that both Zaidi and Kapler are no longer with the team, what impact does this have on Sabol’s future as a catcher in 2025?
Could a power-hitting, multi-positional catcher be the odd man out in 2025?
In 2023, the Giants took a chance on Him, who was still subject to Rule 5 restrictions. Although he had limited experience as a catcher, the team believed his athleticism and potential power could make up for his lack of familiarity with the position.
In his rookie year, Sabol posted a .235/.301/.394 slash line (94 wRC+) with 13 home runs, 44 RBI, and 36 runs in 344 plate appearances. His bat showed enough promise to suggest he might hit 20 home runs with consistent playing time.
Catching offered one path to more playing time, but He struggled with key defensive skills like pitch framing and throwing out runners. The Giants addressed their need for a veteran catcher by signing Tom Murphy to a two-year deal, pushing Sabol further down the depth chart. Still, his experience in left field kept his options open.
When Murphy missed most of the season with a knee injury, it seemed Sabol would get more opportunities. However, the team looked elsewhere, relying on minor leaguers Jakson Reetz and Andrew Knapp, as well as veteran Curt Casali, instead of giving Sabol regular time behind the plate.
Sabol began playing first base to increase his versatility, but both first base and left field are positions that require strong offensive production. While his left-handed power showed flashes, his bat was a better fit at catcher.
He saw limited action with the Giants in 2024, recording 10 hits in 38 at-bats. In Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats, he posted a .728 OPS, hitting 11 home runs and driving in 54 runs over 403 plate appearances—numbers that didn’t demand a major league call-up.
Heading into the 2025 offseason, Sabol finds himself in an uncertain position. Two key figures who brought him to San Francisco are no longer with the team. The Giants already have coverage at his primary positions, with Murphy under contract to back up Patrick Bailey and more established players like LaMonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores ahead of him at first base. Meanwhile, Heliot Ramos is locked in as the team’s left fielder.
If Sabol hopes to carve out a role next season, he will need to show improvement at the plate and in his ability to catch. However, it’s possible the Giants’ new leadership may decide to part ways with him this offseason.
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