Giardina begins his first season with the Ducks and seventh in professional baseball. The catcher spent the first six seasons of his pro career in the Braves organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Gwinnett from 2017-19. He appeared in 25 games during the 2019 season, compiling a .260 batting average and a .353 on-base percentage. The 28-year-old split the 2018 season with Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi, playing in 51 games, and spent his 2017 campaign at three different levels, posting a .264 batting average and .348 on-base percentage.

Defensively, the Florida native has accrued a .986 career fielding percentage in 122 games behind the plate. He was selected by the Braves in 2014 from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. While at Lynn, the switch-hitter batted .325 with 10 home runs, 63 RBIs, 23 doubles and a .439 on-base percentage over 89 games. He was also honored as the 2014 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Sal is the brother of left-handed pitcher Carmine Giardina, who appeared in 14 games with the Ducks during the 2015 season.