Gianfranco Wawoe promoted to AAA

Curaçaoan infielder Gianfranco Wawoe has been promoted to AAA by the Seattle Mariners. Last night the 23-year old second baseman debuted with the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League game vs the Fresno Grizzlies.

The promotion is rather remarkable. Earlier this month, shortstop Shawn O’Malley was placed on the 7-Day disabled list, shortly after the Rainiers added shortstop Joey Wong to their roster. The infield of the Rainiers was already loaded but with the addition of Wawoe, the infield is even loaded more with two third basemen, one shortstop, two second basemen and one first bagger.

Earlier this season, Gianfranco was promoted to AA Arkansas Travelers, where he struggled at the plate with a batting average of .241. Since being sent back to the Modesto Nuts (A-Advanced, California League), his batting average slipped down slowly as it stands at .268 right now.

In 14 games with Arkansas, Gianfranco committed three errors, in 32 with Modesto 4.
Next to second base, Gianfranco played at other positions as well. He played 15 games at third base, 8 in left field and 5 in right field.

In his debut with the Rainiers last night, he did not collect a hit in three at bats and struck out once.

His offensive A-Advanced numbers before the All-Star break were rather good as he hit above .300 for a long time. Those numbers earned him an invitation to the California League All-Star Game. After the All-Star Game, his numbers went South slowly.

Gianfranco had stints at AA before (2015 with the Jackson Generals and earlier this year with the Arkansas Travelers) but he never made it to AAA before.