Sunday, March 17, 2024

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/17/2024: Rockies 5 Giants 3

 Logan Webb ramping up to 5.1 IP and Keaton Winn making his first in-game appearance of the spring were the biggest stories of a fairly uneventful game.  Key Lines:

Logan Webb RHP- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 9.00.  Again, all we are looking from from Webb in the spring is ramping up workload and staying healthy.   The K/BB sure looks good, though!

Keaton Winn RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  First appearance of the spring after experiencing R elbow soreness before games started.  3 K's in 1.2 IP looks good to me. Don't rush it!

Wilmer Flores 1B had 2 hits including a double.  6 other players had one hit each with Tom Murphy C and Thairo Estrada 2B recording doubles.

Kyle Harrison LHP gets the start tomorrow evening against the Reds and Frankie Montas RHP.  

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/16/2024: Giants 6 Guardians 0; Giants 11 White Sox 7

 The Giants may have found some patches for their pitching holes in a split-squad twin bill following an off day and a rainout.  

Game 1 Daulton Jefferies pitched 4 scoreless innings and 4 relievers completed the shutout.  Key Lines:

Mike Yastrzemski RF-  2 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .200.  YtY got off to a slow start to the spring with sore shoulder.  Still plenty of time to get his timing down for Opening Day.

Jimmy Glowenke PR/3B- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= 1.000.  Is Jimmy G a sleeper in the system?  He's had 2 PA's this spring with a double and HR.  He OPS'd .798 at 2 levels last year including a stint in AA Richmond.  Round 2C signability pick in the shortened 2020 draft which is looking like one of the great Giants drafts of all time.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 3, HR(1), HBP.  BA= .308.  Easy oppo-field power.  Hope we see more of that through the season.

Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .281.  Thairo looking like he's ready to start the season tomorrow.

Nick Ahmed SS- 2 for 3, 3B.  BA= .529.  Well, we all know he's not going to hit .529 on the season. Will he hit over .200?

Daulton Jefferies RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.64.  Don't forget Jefferies was once a fairly highly regarded prospect before injuries derailed his career.  If he can stay healthy, I think he can be more than a decent backend SP.

Landon Roupp RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 3/0.  ERA= 3.60.  The Legend of the Curveball keeps growing.  We talk about the Giants needing a lefty reliever.  They also need at least 1 an probably 2 more relievers.  Roupp looking like a legit option for one of those roster spots as a multi-inning dude.

The Rogers Bros and Amir Garrett pitched a scoreless frame apiece.  

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Game 2 Spencer Howard pitched 4 perfect innings and David Villar had a huge day at the plate in a high-scoring win.  Key Lines:

Austin Slater CF- 1 for 2, BB, SB(1).  BA= .111.  Slater also got a late start due to elbow soreness.  He also has time to get his timing down by Opening Day.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 2 for 4, SB(3).  BA= .233.  Consensus seems to be that Fitz is winning the utility MI role.

David Villar DH- 4 for 5, HR(3).  BA= .353.  What does the future hold for David Villar?

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .143.  Schmitt has not had much success at the plate this spring but is clearly drawing more walks.

Joey Bart C- 1 for 3, HBP.  BA= .417.  What does the future hold for Joey Bart?

Ismael Munguia LF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .522.  Strong batting skills but limited power.  Similar profile to Jung Hoo Lee and Wade Meckler.  

Chase Pinder RF- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .438.  Brother of ChadPinder was brought in to provide OF depth.  Responded with a strong spring.  Is there room on the roster?  Minor league record shows strong on-base skills with limited power.

Spencer Howard RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 3/5.  ERA= 1.86.  Very similar bio as Daulton Jefferies.  Once highly regarded pitching prospect got derailed by injuries.  Could these two solve the Giants backend rotation holes, at least temporarily?

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 4/0.  ERA= 2.35.  Sanchez hurt himself with a throwing error.  He has emerged as a serious option for second LH reliever.

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Keaton Winn RHP finally makes his spring training debut tomorrow facing the Rockies and Cal Quantrill RHP in Scottsdale.

Spring Training Update: More Rainouts and a Looming Roster Crunch

The Giants had a day off Thursday then had Friday's game against the A's rained out.  Sadly, the Spring Breakout game featuring prospects scheduled later in the day was also rained out.  We've had several intense discussions about the Giants pitching situation and whether they need to acquire another veteran starting pitcher.  One big problem which I have not seen discussed that much is a looming roster crunch for both starting and relief pitching.  This is a nice break in game action to drill down on that.  

Here is a list of pitchers currently on the 40 man roster divided into categories:

Healthy SP's  In Camp: 

Logan Webb RHP
Jordan Hicks RHP
Kyle Harrison LHP

Injured SP's In Camp(questionable for Opening Day Active Roster):

Alex Cobb RHP- recovering from hip surgery, ahead of schedule but has not pitched in a game yet.
Sean Hjelle RHP- Elbow sprain, will definitely miss Opening Day.
Keaton Winn RHP- Elbow pain.  Throwing but has not appeared in a game since being shut down.  

Injured SP's on 60-Day IL:

Tristan Beck RHP
Robbie Ray LHP

Healthy SP's Already Optioned to Minor League Camp:

Trevor McDonald RHP

Injured SP's Already Optioned to Minor League Camp:

Kai-Wei Teng RHP(oblique)

Healthy RP's In Camp:

Camilo Doval RHP
Luke Jackson RHP
Tyler Rogers RHP
Taylor Rogers LHP
Ryan Walker RHP

Injured RP's In Camp:

Ethan Small LHP(oblique- out several weeks)

Injured RP's on 60-day IL:

Austin Warren RHP

RP's Already Optioned to Minor League Camp:

Erik Miller LHP
Randy Rodriquez RHP

That's it.  The Giants currently have 3 healthy SP's and 5 healthy RPs, 8 total, on the 40-man roster and in camp.  To my eye, none of the other pitchers on the 40-man roster look ready to start the season either due to injury or to inexperience.  This is already a daunting problem because it means they have at least 4 and possibly 5 pitching roster spots to fill that will require dropping players off the 40 man roster to make room.
 
Here is a list of non-roster invitees to spring training.  I am not sure who is still in MLB camp and who is healthy but will divide into SP's and RP's: 

SP Non-roster Invitees:  

Hayden Birdsong RHP- Reassigned?
Mason Black RHP
Blayne Enlow RHP
Spencer Howard RHP
Daulton Jefferies RHP
Tommy Romero RHP
Landen Roupp RHP- Reasssigned?
Carson Seymour RHP- Reassigned?
Carson Whisenhunt LHP- Injured?
Reggie Crawford LHP- Reassigned

Black, Howard, Jefferies and Roupp have had some encouraging appearances but again, room would have to be cleared on the 40-man roster for them to make the Opening Day Active Roster. My frontrunners are Black and Jefferies, although Blayne Enlow pitched very well against the first line Dodgers lineup last week.

RP Non-roster Invitees:

Nick Avila RHP
Jose Cruz RHP
Amir Garrett LHP
Juan Sanchez LHP
Cody Stashak RHP
Thomas Szapucki LHP- Could be swingman.

Garrett was clearly brought in with the intent for him to make the team but Juan Sanchez has been the most effective pitchers of this group so far.

So, these are the options barring additional free agent signings or significant trades.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/13/2024: Reds 19 Giants 11

It was a rough day for pitchers in Scottsdale Stadium as the hitters padded their stat lines in a losing effort by the Giants.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 1 for 1, BB.  BA= .348.  Lee came out early due to leg tightness.  Bob Melvin said it was purely precautionary.  Let's hope so because so far Lee is exactly what the Giants thought they were getting when they signed him as a free agent. 

Luis Matos PH/CF/LF- 2 for 3, 2 2B, HBP.   BA= .290.  Matos bat cooled off a bit from his hot start but picked up in his last two games.  8 of his 9 hits have gone for extra bases.

Wilmer Flores 1B- 2 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .409.  Best Giants hitter the last two seasons.

David Villar 1B- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .276.  I still say Villar is going to have an Adam Duvall type of career for someone.  Probably not the Giants.

Thairo Estrada 2B- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .250.  First HR of the spring for Thairo.

Mason Black RHP- 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 6.97.  A bit of a stumble for Black but turns out this was one of the better lines by any pitcher on the day.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.50.  Is Sanchez the frontrunner for second LHRP?

The Giants are off tomorrow then face the A's in Friday with Jordan Hicks RHP toeing the rubber against Paul Blackburn RHP and don't forget the Giants vs A's Spring Breakout game Friday evening.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/12/2024: Dodgers 6 Giants 4

The Giants did not get their first hit in the game until the 6'th inning and did not score until the 9'th inning in a game that was not nearly as close as the final score looks.   Key Lines:

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .250.   I truly hope Chapman hits 25 HR's and wins a Gold Glove at 3B this season.

Otto Lopez PH- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= .278.  A couple of errors by Dodgers 3B prospect Jake Gelof opened the door for a late rally capped off by Lopez' bases-loaded double to drive in 3.  Lopez is looking like the frontrunner for a utility role, particularly if Marco Luciano starts the season in Sacramento.

Blayne Enlow RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 5/2.  ERA= 3.86.  Impressive appearance facing the Dodgers likely starting lineup, at least 1-4.  Enlow got the start because it was Kyle Harrison's turn and the Giants did not want him facing the Dodgers this close to when they play them in April so Harrison started a minor league game.

Shohei Ohtani DH- 3 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .579.  **** the Dodgers!  Have fun paying him $68 M in 2044.

Mason Black RHP starts tomorrow's game against the Reds in Scottsdale with Frankie Montas RHP going for the Reds.

Patrick Bailey C left the game early after taking a foul tip off his right hand.  X-rays reportedly showed no fracture.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/11/2024: Giants 12 Royals 9

The Giants brought their hitting shoes to Surprise, AZ to win a slugfest.  Key Lines:

Tyler Fitzgerald CF- 2 for 4, 2B, 3B, SF.  BA= .200.  Fitz has struggled to make contact with a 40% K rate but 3 of his 5 hits have gone for extra bases and his walk rate is almost 20%.  Just 32 PA's though.  

Luis Matos RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .250.  6 of Matos' 7 hits have gone for extra bases.  He's only walked once but also only struck out 3 times in 30 PA's.  

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .133.  Schmitt seems to have improved his approach at the plate but it hasn't translated into results.  He hit one out today.  Again, SSS.  

David Villar 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(1), BB.  BA= .292.  Villar is quietly having a fine spring.  Hard to see where he fits in the organization right now.  I think he does have an option.

Joey Bart DH- 3 for 4. BA= .474.  Bart is getting lots of PA's.  Are Giants showcasing him?  Patrick Bailey was the DH for Alex Cobb's live BP session today and reportedly hit one off the batting eye.  Most likely they are showcasing him for a trade but I still think there is a non-zero chance he's on the Opening Day active roster.  I guess you can call me a Joey Bart die-hard.  

Wade Meckler LF- 3 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .440.  Meck is stating his case at the plate but has struggled in the field making his 3'rd error of the spring today.  Another guy who doesn't seem to quite fit in, especially since he has a similar profile as Jung Hoo Lee who is not going anywhere for several years.

Otto Lopez 2B- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .235.  I tend to believe Lopez is the frontrunner for a backup MI roster spot.  He did make his second error of the spring today.

Logan Webb RHP- 3.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO- 3/4.  ERA= 10.03.  Not a typical Logan Webb line in any way but I am sure he's just building his pitch count with strict instructions to not hurt himself.

Daulton Jefferies RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.57.  I'm thinking Jefferies is the frontrunner for the 5'th starter slot to start the season.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.69.  Feel good story of the spring.  Is it enough to make the Opening Day roster?

Giants play the Dodgers tomorrow afternoon in Glendale, AZ with Blaine Enlow RHP toeing the rubber in the first inning facing Tyler Glasnow RHP

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J. D. Davis was officially released today after he cleared waivers and the fallout just keeps descending with his agent accusing the Giants of not negotiating a contract in good faith pre-arbitration and FZ punching back to the press.  It sure looks like the Giants intentionally set him up to file for arbitration and win so they would have this out in case they signed Chapman.  Not sure they could have scripted it out like that but I wouldn't be shocked if they did.  There seems to be some vague language in the CBA regarding under what circumstances the team can dump a player-winning arbitration salary.  I feel a grievance coming on from both J. D. and the MLBPA.  On one level the FZ and the Giants showed some savvy maneuvering here but on another level it adds one more example to a growing list of needlessly callous treatment of players.  Not a good look!

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Spring Training Game Wraps 3/10/2024(Split Squad): Giants 5 White Sox 4; Mariners 8 Giants 3

Home Game:  The Giants won a see-saw game on a walk-off single by Tom Murphy.  Key Lines: 

Michael Conforto LF- 3 for 3.  BA= .400.  Maybe with Soler and Chapman in the lineup, Conforto won't feel as much pressure to hit for power?  Now, if he can just stay healthy.

Tom Murphy PH/DH- 1 for 1.  BA= .385.  Murph has always hit.  Can he stay healthy?

Joey Bart C- 2 for 3, SF.  BA= .400.  If I am not mistaken, Bart has hit in spring training before and as we all know, spring stats don't mean a thang.  Are the Giants showcasing him for a potential trade?  Patrick Bailey went 0 for 3 in the away game.  Is there a non-zero chance Bart starts the season on the active roster with Bailey optioned to Sacramento?  

Spencer Howard RHP- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 4.1.  ERA= 3.18.  Too many walks but he kept the ball on the ground and worked out of trouble.  BTW, all 3 walks came in the first inning.

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Away GameTommy Romero RHP gave up 6 runs in 1.2 IP and the Giants could not come back.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 1 for 3.  BA= .368.  So far Lee is just what the Giants thought they were getting.

Luis Matos RF- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .240.  Matos' bat had cooled off after a hot start. Will this get it going again?  He definitely is flexing his extra-base power.

David Villar DH- 1 for 2, 2B.  BA= .238.  Villar is a forgotten man but I think he has an option.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 2, BB, SB(1). BA= .091.  3 walks in 2 games.  Is Schmitt improving on his plate discipline?  

Carson Seymour RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K.  ERA= 7.20.  Can Seymour turn the Darin Ruf trade into more than a wash?

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 1.80.  Sanchez is quietly having a tremendous spring.  I read somewhere his FB is up to 96 MPH.

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Logan Webb RHP makes his 4'th start of the spring tomorrow afternoon against the Royals and somebody named Angel Zerpa LHP in Surprise, AZ.