San Francisco Giants taking chance on Jon Duplantier

There was a time when Jon Duplantier was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks righty was a consensus top 100 prospect for two consecutive years and had been named to the 2017 Futures Game. However, due to injuries over the past two years, Duplantier has been unable to live up to his potential, being released by the Diamondbacks.

He has found a new home. The San Francisco Giants have signed him to a minor league contract, giving Duplantier another chance to fulfill his promise.

Jon Duplantier gets another chance with San Francisco Giants

Duplantier had displayed that potential during his first stint in the majors. He had produced a respectable 4.42 ERA, albeit with a bloated 1.555 WHiP, in his 36.2 innings in 2019, striking out 34 batters. However, he issued 18 walks, as his command simply was not there, contributing to that high WHiP.

Those command issues caught up to Duplantier in his second stint in the majors last year. He allowed 19 runs on 19 hits, including five homers, and eight walks in his 13 innings, striking out 12 batters. The Diamondbacks outrighted him from their 40 man roster before signing him to a minor league deal a few days later, but he was unable to make a return to the majors.

Now he will get a chance in San Francisco. The Giants have had success finding talented pitchers who have underperformed, turning them into the types of players they were expected to be. It is possible that they will be able to work their magic with Duplantier as well.

If so, the Giants will have a long term piece for their pitching staff. He still has six years of team control left, allowing San Francisco to find the right role for the former top prospect. With his stuff and command issues, he could end up being a bullpen arm, something that the Giants need.

The San Francisco Giants have signed Jon Duplantier to a minor league deal. The former top prospect is getting a second chance to prove himself.