Twins deal Austin to Giants for minor league outfielder

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have acquired outfielder Malique Ziegler from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for first baseman Tyler Austin.

Ziegler, 22, opened the 2019 season with the Single-A San Jose Giants (played in two games) after appearing in a combined 59 games last year between the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets and Arizona Rookie League Giants Black. He hit a combined .237 (50-for-211) with 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 18 RBI. Originally drafted in 2016 by the Giants (22nd round) out of North Iowa Area Community College, Ziegler has appeared in 143 career minor league games, hitting .245 (131-for-535) with nine home runs, 47 RBI and a .339 on-base percentage.

Austin, who was designated for release or assignment on Saturday, appeared in just two games for the Twins this season.