Reds call up former Giants prospect from Blake Sabol trade

Wong shifted to the bullpen this season and racked up 23 strikeouts against just three walks in 15 innings pitched at Double-A before he was promoted to the highest level of the minors. He has struggled mightily since reaching Triple-A, though, with a 10.13 ERA and more walks (16) than strikeouts in 18.2 innings. However, the Reds' pitching staff has been depleted by injuries and heavy bullpen usage, leading them to call upon Wong.

The Giants drafted Wong in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Grand Canyon University. He becomes the sixth member of San Francisco's 2018 class to reach the majors. Wong had primarily showcased a low-90s fastball and promising breaking ball as a starting pitcher in college but flashed high-90s velocity in the Cape Cod League, leading many scouts to speculate he had a long-term future in the bullpen.

Wong recorded a 3.90 ERA in 113 innings pitched with 101 strikeouts and 35 walks between Single and High-A in his first full professional season. However, his development would be stalled by a pair of tough breaks. After the pandemic cost Wong the 2020 minor-league season, he missed the entire 2021 campaign after undergoing UCL surgery.

Finally back on the field last year, Wong returned to High-A and posted a 4.52 ERA with 108 strikeouts and 44 walks in 97.2 innings pitched (25 games). His fastball sat around 92-94 mph, but he continued to only consistently trust his breaking ball among his secondary offerings. Wong was actually eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, like Sabol, but was unselected and subsequently traded.

Despite Wong reaching the majors, the Giants' front office has little reason to regret their offseason trade. Sabol has hit .256/.325/.415 with seven doubles and seven home runs as a versatile left-handed bat capable of playing catcher or left field.

The SF Giants and Cincinnati Reds have been the two hottest teams in MLB over the past few weeks. As the Reds try to stay hot with a depleted pitching staff, they made a series of roster moves to welcome Jake Wong to the majors.