Perhaps the biggest surprise when the Giants gathered at Oracle Park in early July was that Chris Shaw wasn't part of the 60-man player pool. Halfway through the season, Shaw appears to be joining the mix.
The 26-year-old posted an Instagram story from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento with the caption "been too long." Shaw will join the older minor leaguers and top prospects who are working out daily at the alternate site, which had 26 active players as of Sunday.
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Shaw was a surprise omission from summer camp and one of the few 40-man roster players who was not brought to San Francisco. The Giants never really gave a detailed explanation, and it's a bit surprising to see Shaw back if only because Jandel Gustave and Kean Wong -- two others on the 40-man who did not attend summer camp -- have since been taken off the roster. But there's perhaps an easy explanation, besides player development.
Only players who are part of 60-man pools can be traded before next week's deadline. The Giants and others are expected to add minor leaguers to their pools to more easily facilitate moves.
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Shaw, a first-round pick in 2015, has shown tremendous power in the minors but has not been able to translate that to the big leagues in two limited stints. He can play outfield and first, although the bigger need right now may be a right-handed bat with Austin Slater on the Injured List and Hunter Pence no longer with the organization. Manager Gabe Kapler said recently acquired infielder Daniel Robertson is taking fly balls in left.