© Ed Szczepanski | 2018 Jun 20
After seven years with the Giants organization, infielder Kelby Tomlinson signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks two weeks ago, after hitting free agency in early November.
Tomlinson, who was drafted by the Giants in 2011, took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to thank the organization that gave him his first big league opportunity.
“I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to the entire Giants organization for their investment into me and
my family the past 7 years,” Tomlinson wrote. “This is a first class organization that believed in me enough to draft me and give me a chance to see my dream become a reality in the big leagues.”
I want to say a big “thank you” to the entire @SFGiants organization for their investment into me and my family the past 7 years. This is a first class organization that believed in me enough to draft me and give me a chance to see my dream become a reality in the big leagues.
— Kelby Tomlinson (@kelby_tomlinson) December 5, 2018
As I close this chapter of my career with the Giants, I’m excited for the next step with the @Dbacks . I’m thankful for the opportunity I have to play for an organization I’ve really admired for a long time.
— Kelby Tomlinson (@kelby_tomlinson) December 5, 2018
Tomlinson, 28, appeared in 273 games for the Giants over the last four years. One of the few Giants players in recent history to wear glasses on the field, Tomlinson quickly became a fan favorite after his call up in 2015. Tomlinson showed impressive production during his rookie season, posting a slash line of .303/.358/.404 in 193 plate appearances. Unfortunately, those numbers went down in every subsequent season with the Giants, submarining last season when Tomlinson managed just a .529 OPS in 152 plate appearances.
Tomlinson lost his spot on the Giants 40-man roster on October 22 and elected to hit free agency. Tomlinson’s deal with the Diamondbacks includes an invitation to spring training, where he will look to make the club as a backup utility infielder.