Giants acquire two prospects for Ryan Walker

The 2026 version of Walker didn’t seem much like someone worth rostering all winter, but the Brewers obviously think they can get him turned around. Walker was a revelation for the Giants in 2024, posting a 1.91 ERA with a 99/18 K/BB in 80 innings. Since then, he finished with a 4.11 ERA in 61 innings in 2025 and a 7.16 ERA in 33 innings last season. His strikeout rate went from 32 percent in 2024 to 23 percent in 2025 to 15 percent in 2026. He shouldn’t be due more than $1.5 million next year and he’ll be under control through 2029, so a return to form would benefit the Brewers for more than just one season.

One more spot on the 40-man freed up for the Giants. Holub finished with a 2.10 ERA and a 66/21 K/BB in 55 2/3 innings for the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate last season. The 28-year-old has never pitched in the majors, but with his mid-90s cutter and a mid-80s slider, he might be decent as a team’s eighth reliever if needed. Perry was the Brewers’ 11th-round pick in the 2026 draft. The Western Kentucky product has yet to debut professionally.

That’s a funny way to describe a 32-year-old with 11 career holds, but Blackburn was very effective in posting a 1.59 ERA in 85 innings last season. He’d seem to be in line for a two-year deal this winter.

Seminaris spent the 2026 season in the Phillies’ organization where he posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 162/30 K/BB ratio over 138 1/3 innings of work in 26 starts. He’ll add extra rotation depth for the A’s and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him finally break through and make his MLB debut at some point during the 2027 season.

The White Sox scouted both Itoh and his teammate Kaima Taira in August and September and they’re expected to be in the bidding for both of their services. Itoh, 29, posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 159/34 K/BB ratio over 172 2/3 innings over 26 starts for the Nippon Ham Fighters during the 2026 campaign.

The 19-year-old Brito had the three hardest-hit balls of the game against Licey, coming in at 107, 105 and 104 mph. A very exciting talent in the Rockies system, Brito hit .305/.361/.455 with 10 homers and 41 steals between Low- and High-A last season. He’s a couple of years away, but he could become a regular either in center field or at second base, depending on how the Rockies want to play it.

Obviously fully healed from the fractured wrist that ended his season in mid-August, Reyes is 17-for-34 with a homer and six doubles in nine games. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut for the Phillies in April, going 6-for-38 with a homer in 12 games before returning to Triple-A. He ended up batting .287/.318/.511 with 21 homers in 85 games for Lehigh Valley. A free-swinger with limited defensive value, he’s a fringy prospect, but he has power and doesn’t strike out overly much.

Chaparro has consistently been one of Venezuelan Winter League’s best bats, and he’s back for a fifth year with Zulia despite breaking through with a .263/.360/.525 line in 83 games for the Nationals last season. He should be pretty close to a lock to keep his spot next season, though the Nationals’ offseason moves will determine whether he’s a platoon guy against lefties or if he’s given a chance to be an everyday first baseman.

Serna made his major league debut at the end of last season, going 6-for-28 with three doubles in 17 appearances for the Marlins over the final month. He hasn’t been nearly as productive in the Miami system as he was before arriving from the Yankees in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, but he still could have a future in the majors as a utilityman. First, he should be in line for at least another half-season in Triple-A.

Kranick, 29, spent the 2026 season in the Nationals’ organization where he registered a 9.33 ERA, 2,18 WHIP and an 11/13 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings at the MLB level. He’ll get a chance to compete for a spot in the Phillies’ bullpen with a strong showing in Grapefruit League play.