Done Deal: Giants Officially Bring Top Catching Prospect To San Francisco

On Monday, September 22, 2025, San Francisco Giants insiders revealed that catcher Jesus Rodriguez has been assigned a locker at Oracle Park and will join the team’s taxi squad for now.

Rodriguez explained that his focus in San Francisco is to meet teammates, observe, and learn, but he has not been placed on the active roster. A promotion would require the Giants to send another player down to Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants acquired Rodriguez from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline in the deal that sent closer Camilo Doval to New York.

In the minors this season, Rodriguez is batting .307 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs. Ranked as the Giants’ No. 16 prospect, the organization believes he has the potential to develop into a top-tier MLB hitter. He has posted a .294 average or better in each of his six seasons in the Yankees’ farm system.

Defensively, however, Rodriguez remains a work in progress. Similar to recent call-up Bryce Eldridge, his minor league assignments have largely emphasized improving his fielding. The Giants ultimately hope he can grow into a full-time catcher.

What Does This Mean For Other Giants Catchers? 

Jesus Rodriguez is viewed as the likely successor to Giants backup catcher Andrew Knizner—just not immediately.

Knizner, who signed a one-year deal with San Francisco, hasn’t done much to secure a future with the team. He’s hitting .219 with one homer and three RBI in 73 at-bats, numbers that don’t inspire confidence.

Still, with only six games left in the regular season and the Giants all but out of contention, there’s little incentive to cut ties with Knizner before the schedule wraps up. If the club were to activate Rodriguez, it would almost certainly come at the expense of outfielder Grant McCray, who has been used strictly as a pinch runner and late-game defender during the playoff push. Once the Giants are officially eliminated, they may prefer to give Rodriguez some big-league exposure rather than keeping McCray on the roster.

Looking ahead to 2026, Rodriguez could compete for the backup role and potentially cut into Patrick Bailey’s opportunities at the plate. While Bailey has raised his numbers late in the season, he’s still batting just .219 overall. His defense, however, remains elite—arguably the best in the majors—which should ensure his role as the primary catcher moving forward. Even so, Rodriguez could take a large share of at-bats against lefties and serve as a frequent pinch-hit option in Bailey’s place.

Other Trade Acquisitions Getting A Look

The Giants appear eager to get extended looks at several of the prospects they picked up at the 2025 trade deadline.

Outfielder Drew Gilbert, who came over from the Mets in the Tyler Rogers deal, is already in the majors and has recently been getting regular starts in center field—even though Jung Hoo Lee usually handles the position.

The team also announced that third baseman Parks Harber, acquired in the Camilo Doval trade, will head to the Arizona Fall League with the Sacramento River Cats. That assignment gives him about six extra weeks of playing time and an early jump on 2026.

Meanwhile, if his health allows, right-hander Blade Tidwell—another part of the Rogers trade—could even make a big-league start before the season wraps up.

All told, the Giants seem very enthusiastic about their deadline additions.

Giants fans, which of these new prospects do you think has the brightest future?