On Friday August 8, 2025, the San Francisco Giants announced they are calling up outfielder Drew Gilbert to the big leagues.
Gilbert is set to immediately make his MLB debut, playing right field and batting ninth for the Giants in their series opener versus the Washington Nationals on August 8, 2025.
The Giants’ No. 13 prospect, Gilbert was acquired right before the MLB trade deadline in a deal that sent RHP Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets. The Giants also acquired their new No. 12 prospect, RHP Blade Tidwell, and relief pitcher Jose Butto in the deal.
Gilbert’s promotion comes amidst an injury to Giants right fielder Jerar Encarnacion. The Giants placed Encarnacion on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain in a corresponding move.
In the wake of the Giants deal to send Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals, they are letting different players stake their claim to be the new everyday right fielder. This is Glbert’s first shot to impress the coaching staff.
All About Drew Gilbert
Baseball fans may know Drew Gilbert from his heroics as a college baseball player at the University of Tennessee. He hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Volunteers a 9-8 win versus Wright State in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Baseball Tournament.
In his final collegiate season in 2022, Gilbert started in center field for Tennessee. At the plate, he hit .362 with 11 home runs and 70 RBI.
That superstar stat line inspired the Houston Astros to draft him in the first round, 28th overall in the 2022 MLB draft.
He was dealt along with Ryan Clifford to the Mets in exchange for Justin Verlander, now his teammate on the Giants. A fun coincidence.
In his 4 season minor league career (282 games), he has hit .262 with 44 home runs and 153 RBI.
He earns his call-up to the Giants after playing just 5 games in AAA Sacramento. They were an excellent 5 games: he went 7-for-14 with 6 walks, 1 double, 2 triples, 2 runs batted in, and one big highlight walk-off hit.
Giants fans are looking forward to seeing his speed, aggressive baserunning, outfield defense and clutch hitting on display.
Daniel Johnson Designated for Assignment
To make room on the 40-man roster for Gilbert, the Giants designated OF Daniel Johnson for assignment.
Johnson, 30, had some good moments in a Giants uniform. Those included some great outfield defensive plays and a big home run versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But he couldn’t consistently produce, hitting only .172 in 14 games with San Francisco. The Giants were already struggling to produce consistent offense as it is. They couldn’t afford to give him a roster spot for an extended period of time amidst his struggles.
Johnson’s DFA makes sense; there’s not really anything that he can do that Gilbert can’t. Still, some Giants fans are sad to see the Vallejo native go. He brought some excitement to San Francisco immediately after his call-up. Those fans hope he clears waivers so the Giants can retain him in their minor league system.
Giants fans, are you excited to see Drew Gilbert make his MLB debut? Do you think he can become the everyday right fielder for San Francisco?
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