According to a report from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the San Francisco Giants added another pitcher to the bullpen mix in 25-year old right hander James Sherfy, formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He has reportedly signed a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp.

Having last pitched in 2019, Sherfy split time in the majors and the minors.  He had a 5.89 ERA in 17 relief appearances in the majors with the Diamondbacks, and a 3.82 ERA in 38 appearances in the minors, mostly in Triple-A, where he had 12 saves.  Sherfy has a career 2.98 ERA in the bigs across parts of three seasons, and a career 3.59 ERA in seven minor league seasons.

Through mid-2019, Sherfy had a 0.98 ERA over his first 36.2 MLB innings, but struggled in late 2019 after an injury.

Sherfy was a 10th round pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Oregon by the Diamondbacks.  Sherfy did not pitch in 2020, and had been dealing with an elbow injury while at the Diamondbacks alternate training site.  He had the support of some passionate fans who felt he deserved more chances, prompting a #FreeSherfy movement.

The right-hander has a mid-90’s fastball, and two breaking pitches that have been graded as plus in his curve and slider, plus an average changeup. He has sometimes has struggled with control.  He spent much of his time in the Diamondbacks farm system ranked in the mid-10s by Baseball America, topping out as their #13 prospect for the 2017 season, but he was last ranked at #29 before the 2019 season.

Sherfy will join a crowded mix among right-handers for the Giants competing for bullpen spots  John Brebbia, Reyes Moronta, Shaun Anderson, Trevor Gott, and Tyler Rogers are all leading candidates for those roles that Sherfy will compete with.