AAA Albuquerque Isotopes burned the Sacramento River Cats 4-1:
Mike Gerber RF- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(26). BA= .317.
Aramis Garcia C- 2 for 4. BA= .272.
Kyle Barraclough RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 31.50.
Mike Gerber deserves some kind of an award for perseverance as he has raked all season for the River Cats. He didn't look good in a MLB trial, but it was a miniscule sample size. Does he ever get another shot? It will take awhile for Kyle Barraclough to whittle that ERA down.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels escaped the Erie Seawolves 7-3(10 innings):
Johneshwy Fargas RF- 1 for 3, BB, Sac. BA= .251.
Heliot Ramos DH- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .205.
Joey Bart C- 2 for 5, HR(2). BA= .206.
Jacob Heyward PH- 1 for 1, HR(10). BA= .219.
Ryan Halstead RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.52.
Sam Wolff RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.83.
Jacob Heyward hit a walkoff grand slam HR in the bottom of the 10'th inning. Hopefully this game gives Heliot Ramos and Joey Bart some traction, but IMO, the point of these late callups is not really what they do this season but what they will hopefully do next season.
*********************************************************************************
A+ San Jose Giants were idle.
*********************************************************************************
A Augusta Greenjackets were idle.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Everett Aquasox topped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 9-7:
Hunter Bishop CF- 2 for 3, BB, HBP. BA= .224.
Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 5, 2B. BA= .194.
Harrison Freed DH- 2 for 3, HR(5), BB. BA= .240.
Kwan Adkins LF- 1 for 4, HR(3). BA= .279.
Hunter Bishop is 5 for 12 over his last 3 games.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Angels blasted the Giants Black 12-7:
Grant McCray CF- 3 for 4, HR(1), BB, 2 SB(14). ERA= .273.
Dilan Rosario SS- 1 for 4, BB, SB(6). BA= .222.
Richgelon Juliana LF- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .218.
George Bell RF- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .250.
Cesar Gonzalez C- 2 for 4. BA= .214.
Grant McCray has 4 multihit games in a row and 5 of 6.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Orange crushed the Cubs 1 9-4:
Abdiel Layer 3B- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B. BA= .287.
Rodolfo Bone C- 1 for 5, HR(1). BA= .253.
Nick Morreale RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.83.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Mariners edged out the Giants 3-2:
Jose Peralta 2B- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(6). BA= .281.
Carlos Cuevas CF- 1 for 3, HR(3), BB. BA= .157.
Jesus Liscano 1B- 1 for 3, 3B, BB. BA= .190.
Marvin Brown RHP- 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.74.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Monday, August 19, 2019
Down on the Farm: 8/18/2019
Sacramento River Cats pounded the Reno Aces 8-1:
Mauricio Dubon SS- 4 for 6, HR(18). BA= .298.
Chris Shaw 1B- 1 for 4, HR(17). BB. BA= .292.
Justin Haley RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 8.31.
Easily Mauricio Dubon's best game since joining the Giants organization. He is hitting .342 over his last 10 games. Better results for Justin Haley than his first start for the Cats.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels silenced the Harrisburg Senators 7-1:
Jalen Miller 2B- 3 for 4, SB(26). BA= .213.
Zach Houchins 1B- 1 for 4, HR(9). BA= .246.
Alfred Gutierrez RHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 4.07.
Raffi Vizcaino RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.77.
Sam Moll LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.97.
*********************************************************************************
A+ San Jose Giants blanked the Inland Empire 66'er's 4-0:
Sandro Fabian RF- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .3-6.
Aaron Phillips RHP- 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 4.28.
Aaron Phillips allowed just one baserunner on a single in the 6'th inning, a soft liner to CF.
*********************************************************************************
A Augusta Greenjackets edged out the Greensboro Grasshoppers 3-2:
Simon Whiteman 2B- 2 for 5. BA= .280.
Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .217.
Ricardo Genoves C- 2 for 4. BA= .342.
Keaton Winn RHP- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, GO/AO= 9/3. ERA= 3.18.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes buried the Everett Aquasox 13-4:
Can't bring up the boxscore this morning but I know Hunter Bishop had 2 hits including his second HR in as many days. I think Marco Luciano had 2 hits and Alexander Canario had a big game too.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Reds outlasted the Giants Black 9-6(10 innings):
Grant McCray CF- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .261.
Dilan Rosario SS- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .221.
Grant McCray is hitting .395 over his last 10 game and .307 in 20 games in the second half of the AZL season.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL D'Backs beat the Giants Orange 8-4:
Najee Gaskins LF- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .351.
Abdiel Layer 3B- 2 for 5, HR(5). BA= .282.
Angel Guzman C- 0 for 0, 4 BB. BA= .061.
Luis Moreno RHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.38.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants were idle.
Mauricio Dubon SS- 4 for 6, HR(18). BA= .298.
Chris Shaw 1B- 1 for 4, HR(17). BB. BA= .292.
Justin Haley RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 8.31.
Easily Mauricio Dubon's best game since joining the Giants organization. He is hitting .342 over his last 10 games. Better results for Justin Haley than his first start for the Cats.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels silenced the Harrisburg Senators 7-1:
Jalen Miller 2B- 3 for 4, SB(26). BA= .213.
Zach Houchins 1B- 1 for 4, HR(9). BA= .246.
Alfred Gutierrez RHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K's. ERA= 4.07.
Raffi Vizcaino RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.77.
Sam Moll LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 2.97.
*********************************************************************************
A+ San Jose Giants blanked the Inland Empire 66'er's 4-0:
Sandro Fabian RF- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .3-6.
Aaron Phillips RHP- 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 4.28.
Aaron Phillips allowed just one baserunner on a single in the 6'th inning, a soft liner to CF.
*********************************************************************************
A Augusta Greenjackets edged out the Greensboro Grasshoppers 3-2:
Simon Whiteman 2B- 2 for 5. BA= .280.
Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .217.
Ricardo Genoves C- 2 for 4. BA= .342.
Keaton Winn RHP- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, GO/AO= 9/3. ERA= 3.18.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes buried the Everett Aquasox 13-4:
Can't bring up the boxscore this morning but I know Hunter Bishop had 2 hits including his second HR in as many days. I think Marco Luciano had 2 hits and Alexander Canario had a big game too.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Reds outlasted the Giants Black 9-6(10 innings):
Grant McCray CF- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .261.
Dilan Rosario SS- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .221.
Grant McCray is hitting .395 over his last 10 game and .307 in 20 games in the second half of the AZL season.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL D'Backs beat the Giants Orange 8-4:
Najee Gaskins LF- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .351.
Abdiel Layer 3B- 2 for 5, HR(5). BA= .282.
Angel Guzman C- 0 for 0, 4 BB. BA= .061.
Luis Moreno RHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.38.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants were idle.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Game Wrap 8/18/2019: D'Backs 6 Giants 1
This game turned on 1 missed defensive play in the first inning. From then on, the Giants were never in contention. Key Lines:
Madison Bumgarner LHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.72. So, Bummy got two quick outs in the first inning, but the a double/Error put a runner at 3B and a walk put runners at first and third. Adam Jones came up and hit a sinking liner to CF that Pillar tried to make one of his patented diving catches on. He came up an inch short and the ball skidded past him to the warning track for a 2-run triple. Jones then scored on another single. Not blaming Pillar or wanting him to become less aggressive, but he makes that catch and Bummy gets out of the first inning unscathed and it's a completely different ballgame the rest of the way. As you can see from the line, he was dominant.
*********************************************************************************
The Loss dropped the Giants to 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card Playoff spot. Guess who the next series is against.
*********************************************************************************
The Giants have a travel day tomorrow and then start a 3-gamer against the team currently in control of the second Wild Card spot. Tyler Beede will take the mound on Tuesday facing Cole Hamels.
*********************************************************************************
Churn Baby, Churn: Travis Bergen was DFA'd which means after all this he will likely be going back to the Blue Jays. Abiatal Avelino got the call up.
Madison Bumgarner LHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 9 K's. ERA= 3.72. So, Bummy got two quick outs in the first inning, but the a double/Error put a runner at 3B and a walk put runners at first and third. Adam Jones came up and hit a sinking liner to CF that Pillar tried to make one of his patented diving catches on. He came up an inch short and the ball skidded past him to the warning track for a 2-run triple. Jones then scored on another single. Not blaming Pillar or wanting him to become less aggressive, but he makes that catch and Bummy gets out of the first inning unscathed and it's a completely different ballgame the rest of the way. As you can see from the line, he was dominant.
*********************************************************************************
The Loss dropped the Giants to 3.5 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card Playoff spot. Guess who the next series is against.
*********************************************************************************
The Giants have a travel day tomorrow and then start a 3-gamer against the team currently in control of the second Wild Card spot. Tyler Beede will take the mound on Tuesday facing Cole Hamels.
*********************************************************************************
Churn Baby, Churn: Travis Bergen was DFA'd which means after all this he will likely be going back to the Blue Jays. Abiatal Avelino got the call up.
Down on the Farm: 8/17/2019
AAA Reno Aces came from behind to outslug the Sacramento River Cats 13-10:
Mike Gerber RF- 4 for 6, 2B, HR(25). BA= .316.
Jaylin Davis LF- 3 for 4, 2 HR(8), BB, HBP. BA= .404.
Aramis Garcia C- 4 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .272.
Conner Menez LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 4.65.
Dan Winkler RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.35.
Someone cool off Jaylin Davis or he is going to spontaneously combust! Second 4-hit night in a row for Aramis Garcia.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels outlasted the Harrisburg Senators 1-0(10 innings):
Caleb Baragar LHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.45.
Caleb Simpson RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.31.
Garrett Williams LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.66.
Not sure how many innings this game was supposed to last, but the other game of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled.
*********************************************************************************
A+ Inland Empire 66'er's defeated the San Jose Giants 7-3:
David Villar 3B- 2 for 4. BA= .272.
Manuel Geraldo SS- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .239.
Tristan Beck RHP- 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.32.
Tristan Beck has a lot of work to do, but he has the tools to develop into a frontline SP. Nice return for Mark Melancon and his contract.
*********************************************************************************
A Greensboro Grasshoppers swarmed over the Augusta Greenjackets 7-0:
Trent Toplikar RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 13/0. ERA= 3.38.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes buried the Everett Aquasox 8-0:
Kwan Adkins DH- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .279.
Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 5. BA= .136.
Alexander Canario CF- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .279.
Matt Martorano C- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .284.
Armani Smith RF- 2 for 5. BA= .280.
Travis Perry RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.15.
Jorge Labrador RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.14.
Clay Helvey RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.80.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Orange beat the Cubs 2 6-3:
Luis Toribio 3B- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .327.
Javeyon Williams LF- 1 for 4, BB, SB(17). BA= .269.
Abdiel Layer 2B- 1 for 4, BB, 3 SB(8). BA= .286.
Rodolfo Bone C- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .256.
Patrick Hilson CF- 2 for 4, SB(13). BA= .233.
Jesus Gomez LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.78.
Julio Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.69.
Logan Harasta RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 3.24.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black blanked the Athletics Green 2-0:
Grant McCray CF- 3 for 4, 2B, SB(12). BA= .256.
Garrett Frechette 1B- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= 314.
Tyler Wyatt DH- 0 for 1, 2 BB, HBP, SB(5). BA= .225.
Trevor McDonald RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Freddery Paulino RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.44.
Francis Pena RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 5.09.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants topped the Pirates2 5-3:
Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(20). BA= .362.
Victor Bericoto DH- 2 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .351.
Jason Bonilla RHP- 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.48.
Mike Gerber RF- 4 for 6, 2B, HR(25). BA= .316.
Jaylin Davis LF- 3 for 4, 2 HR(8), BB, HBP. BA= .404.
Aramis Garcia C- 4 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .272.
Conner Menez LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 4.65.
Dan Winkler RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 1.35.
Someone cool off Jaylin Davis or he is going to spontaneously combust! Second 4-hit night in a row for Aramis Garcia.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels outlasted the Harrisburg Senators 1-0(10 innings):
Caleb Baragar LHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 3.45.
Caleb Simpson RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.31.
Garrett Williams LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.66.
Not sure how many innings this game was supposed to last, but the other game of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled.
*********************************************************************************
A+ Inland Empire 66'er's defeated the San Jose Giants 7-3:
David Villar 3B- 2 for 4. BA= .272.
Manuel Geraldo SS- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .239.
Tristan Beck RHP- 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 4.32.
Tristan Beck has a lot of work to do, but he has the tools to develop into a frontline SP. Nice return for Mark Melancon and his contract.
*********************************************************************************
A Greensboro Grasshoppers swarmed over the Augusta Greenjackets 7-0:
Trent Toplikar RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 13/0. ERA= 3.38.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes buried the Everett Aquasox 8-0:
Kwan Adkins DH- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .279.
Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 5. BA= .136.
Alexander Canario CF- 2 for 4, HBP. BA= .279.
Matt Martorano C- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .284.
Armani Smith RF- 2 for 5. BA= .280.
Travis Perry RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.15.
Jorge Labrador RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 5.14.
Clay Helvey RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.80.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Orange beat the Cubs 2 6-3:
Luis Toribio 3B- 1 for 3, 3B, HBP. BA= .327.
Javeyon Williams LF- 1 for 4, BB, SB(17). BA= .269.
Abdiel Layer 2B- 1 for 4, BB, 3 SB(8). BA= .286.
Rodolfo Bone C- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .256.
Patrick Hilson CF- 2 for 4, SB(13). BA= .233.
Jesus Gomez LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.78.
Julio Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.69.
Logan Harasta RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 3.24.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black blanked the Athletics Green 2-0:
Grant McCray CF- 3 for 4, 2B, SB(12). BA= .256.
Garrett Frechette 1B- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= 314.
Tyler Wyatt DH- 0 for 1, 2 BB, HBP, SB(5). BA= .225.
Trevor McDonald RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Freddery Paulino RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.44.
Francis Pena RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 5.09.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants topped the Pirates2 5-3:
Luis Matos CF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(20). BA= .362.
Victor Bericoto DH- 2 for 3, 2 BB. BA= .351.
Jason Bonilla RHP- 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 3.48.
Game Wrap 8/17/2019: Giants 11 D'Backs 6
Logan Webb shook off a shaky first inning and dominated for the next four while Brandon Belt supplied the power in an 18-hit attack with a grand slam HR in the 2'nd inning to make things easier for the kid. Key Lines:
Mike Yastrzemski RF/LF- 3 for 6. BA= .278. YtY traded 3 HR's for 3 singles. He and Steven Vogt combined to go 5 for 12 from the top two spots in the lineup, yet neither player figured in the scoring.
Kevin Pillar CF- 5 for 5, 2B. BA= .263. Pillar has the first 5-hit game of his career and pushes his BA above .260. The BA of .263 includes 1 for 16 as a Blue Jay. He is hitting .271 in a Giants uniform.
Brandon Belt 1B- 2 for 5, HR(14). BA= .232. Belt has been making better contact this series and it paid off bigly tonight with the grand slam HR in the 2'nd to give Logan Webb a lead he did not relinquish. During the postgame interview, Belt made is pretty clear he doesn't dig hitting in Oracle Park attributing his success to "just a better park to hit in."
Austin Slater PH/RF- 2 for 3. BA= .293. Slater is red hot, hitting .389 over his last 7 games and .350 over his last 15. His .293 BA comes with a .407 OBP. Still a SSS, but maybe he's finally found the traction he lost when he was injured in 2017? He also made a couple more diving catches and started a relay that nailed Eduardo Escobar who for some reason was trying to stretch a double into a triple for the final out of the game.
Logan Webb RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, GO/AO= 6/1. ERA= 1.80. Webb's strike out pitches: 1 FB on the outside corner at the knees, 1 FB up in the zone, 3 split changes that reminded me of peak Tim Lincecum and 2 curveballs the dived out of the zone. Kid was electric after the first inning and most definitely earned himself another big league start and I can't wait for it!
Jandel Gustave RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 1.50. Gustave just casually throws 97 MPH darts without any discernible effort. He is rapidly climbing Bochy's RP depth chart.
*********************************************************************************
With the Win, the Giants remain 2.5 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card playoff spot. They trail the Nationals by 4 games for the first WC spot and trail the Phillies and BrewCrew by 1.5 games.
*********************************************************************************
Madison Bumgarner goes for the 4-game sweeeeep tomorrow against RHP Merrill Kelly.
*********************************************************************************
Wrap on the Alternate Universe post: I got one very rude response that won't get posted basically saying I am crazy to think any free agents would have signed with the Giants over the offseason. Well, of the 3 players I mentioned, Adam Jones might have been a tough sell, but Domingo Santana was available by trade and did not cost the Mariners any top prospects, and I am pretty sure Dallas Keuchal would be happy to pitch in Oracle Park. If they acquired those players in the offseason would it have been enough to avoid the disastrous April and May? We'll never know, but I don't think it's a stretch to think it might. Also, did anyone notice that I actually had quite a few positive things to say about Farhan Zaidi in the post?
Mike Yastrzemski RF/LF- 3 for 6. BA= .278. YtY traded 3 HR's for 3 singles. He and Steven Vogt combined to go 5 for 12 from the top two spots in the lineup, yet neither player figured in the scoring.
Kevin Pillar CF- 5 for 5, 2B. BA= .263. Pillar has the first 5-hit game of his career and pushes his BA above .260. The BA of .263 includes 1 for 16 as a Blue Jay. He is hitting .271 in a Giants uniform.
Brandon Belt 1B- 2 for 5, HR(14). BA= .232. Belt has been making better contact this series and it paid off bigly tonight with the grand slam HR in the 2'nd to give Logan Webb a lead he did not relinquish. During the postgame interview, Belt made is pretty clear he doesn't dig hitting in Oracle Park attributing his success to "just a better park to hit in."
Austin Slater PH/RF- 2 for 3. BA= .293. Slater is red hot, hitting .389 over his last 7 games and .350 over his last 15. His .293 BA comes with a .407 OBP. Still a SSS, but maybe he's finally found the traction he lost when he was injured in 2017? He also made a couple more diving catches and started a relay that nailed Eduardo Escobar who for some reason was trying to stretch a double into a triple for the final out of the game.
Logan Webb RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, GO/AO= 6/1. ERA= 1.80. Webb's strike out pitches: 1 FB on the outside corner at the knees, 1 FB up in the zone, 3 split changes that reminded me of peak Tim Lincecum and 2 curveballs the dived out of the zone. Kid was electric after the first inning and most definitely earned himself another big league start and I can't wait for it!
Jandel Gustave RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 1.50. Gustave just casually throws 97 MPH darts without any discernible effort. He is rapidly climbing Bochy's RP depth chart.
*********************************************************************************
With the Win, the Giants remain 2.5 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card playoff spot. They trail the Nationals by 4 games for the first WC spot and trail the Phillies and BrewCrew by 1.5 games.
*********************************************************************************
Madison Bumgarner goes for the 4-game sweeeeep tomorrow against RHP Merrill Kelly.
*********************************************************************************
Wrap on the Alternate Universe post: I got one very rude response that won't get posted basically saying I am crazy to think any free agents would have signed with the Giants over the offseason. Well, of the 3 players I mentioned, Adam Jones might have been a tough sell, but Domingo Santana was available by trade and did not cost the Mariners any top prospects, and I am pretty sure Dallas Keuchal would be happy to pitch in Oracle Park. If they acquired those players in the offseason would it have been enough to avoid the disastrous April and May? We'll never know, but I don't think it's a stretch to think it might. Also, did anyone notice that I actually had quite a few positive things to say about Farhan Zaidi in the post?
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Thoughts on Alternate Universes
So, a couple of questions popped up in the Comments today(I still haven't figured out how to log into my own blog to add my own comments, which shows you just how technologically challenge I am):
Q1: Does anyone believe the Giants would be over .500 now if Zaidi had not come?
Q2: Where would we be without all the additions that Farhan has made?
I suspect both of those questions came from the same person and I also suspect they are trolling me, but I'll bite anyway because they are interesting questions to ponder. Alternate universes are both fun and frustrating. Fun to speculate on what might have been(my favorites of all time are what if John and Robert Kennedy had not been assassinated?). What if Willie Mays had not served 2 years in the military and played most of his home games in Candlestick Park are also big faves of mine). The frustration comes from never being able to fully exhaust every permutation of subsequent events or to test your theories and see if they pan out.
Since the start of this season, Farhan Zaidi's sluice box of a roster has definitely turned up a few nuggets and those nuggets are shining brightly as I write this. Mike Yastrzemski is a great story and is looking more and more like the "Max Muncy" pick up we all started dreaming about when Farhan took the GM job, except YtY is an even better all around player than Max Muncy. I'll give him credit it for Kevin Pillar whose HR power did not crater when he came from Rogers Center to Oracle Park. Donovan Solano has been a wonderful backup middle infielder and Steven Vogt has emerged as an upgrade at reserve catcher. So, Farhan definitely has his successes to point to and deserves the credit for those. As for his Trade Deadline dealings, Scooter Gennett seems like an upgrade on Joe Panik and cost nothing, and Farhan either was very good or very lucky to get the Braves to take most of Mark Melancon's remaining contract. I'm happy to give him the credit for that too.
Of course you could also ask the question of where this team would be without Bruce Bochy's steady hand in holding the clubhouse together and his masterful management of the bullpen. Other factors to consider are what Farhan did not do in the offseason and what he has not done since, as well as what another GM(we'll say Bobby Evans) might have done instead. We can ask if the Giants would be over .500 with a different GM and where they would be without all the post-Opening Day additions, but that also raises the question of why all those post-Opening Day additions were necessary.
OK, it's just my opinion, but Farhan's offseason was a complete failure, and yes he has an excuse as he was hired late in the offseason cycle. But don't forget his Opening Day Roster included Conner Joe and another OF who I can't even remember his name. Erik Kratz was the backup catcher. I also don't remember who the reserve MI was, but it wasn't Donovan Solano. Does anyone here believe Bobby Evans would not have been much more aggressive about putting together a roster that was ready to compete on Opening Day? Where would this team be if Domingo Santana, Adam Jones and Dallas Keuchal had been on the Opening Day roster just to name three, and yes, they were all available for prices the Giants could afford.
As for the Trade Deadline, I've already talked about how much I like the moves Farhan made, but there were moves he didn't make that may still come back to haunt him such as bringing in a veteran SP or two to bolster a rotation that currently has exactly 1 near-ace and 1 semi-reliable SP. I'll also say the farm system is looking a lot better than it did at the beginning of the season. How much of that is due to Farhan's player development ideas and how much is the normal progression of players who were already in the organization when he became GM is open to question. It's definitely not due to prospects he signed and drafted(OK, maybe Jaylin Davis can be considered a prospect and maybe he is someone to dream on).
In conclusion, do I believe the Giants would be over .500 if Zaidi had not come? I don't know, but I think it is definitely possible.
Q1: Does anyone believe the Giants would be over .500 now if Zaidi had not come?
Q2: Where would we be without all the additions that Farhan has made?
I suspect both of those questions came from the same person and I also suspect they are trolling me, but I'll bite anyway because they are interesting questions to ponder. Alternate universes are both fun and frustrating. Fun to speculate on what might have been(my favorites of all time are what if John and Robert Kennedy had not been assassinated?). What if Willie Mays had not served 2 years in the military and played most of his home games in Candlestick Park are also big faves of mine). The frustration comes from never being able to fully exhaust every permutation of subsequent events or to test your theories and see if they pan out.
Since the start of this season, Farhan Zaidi's sluice box of a roster has definitely turned up a few nuggets and those nuggets are shining brightly as I write this. Mike Yastrzemski is a great story and is looking more and more like the "Max Muncy" pick up we all started dreaming about when Farhan took the GM job, except YtY is an even better all around player than Max Muncy. I'll give him credit it for Kevin Pillar whose HR power did not crater when he came from Rogers Center to Oracle Park. Donovan Solano has been a wonderful backup middle infielder and Steven Vogt has emerged as an upgrade at reserve catcher. So, Farhan definitely has his successes to point to and deserves the credit for those. As for his Trade Deadline dealings, Scooter Gennett seems like an upgrade on Joe Panik and cost nothing, and Farhan either was very good or very lucky to get the Braves to take most of Mark Melancon's remaining contract. I'm happy to give him the credit for that too.
Of course you could also ask the question of where this team would be without Bruce Bochy's steady hand in holding the clubhouse together and his masterful management of the bullpen. Other factors to consider are what Farhan did not do in the offseason and what he has not done since, as well as what another GM(we'll say Bobby Evans) might have done instead. We can ask if the Giants would be over .500 with a different GM and where they would be without all the post-Opening Day additions, but that also raises the question of why all those post-Opening Day additions were necessary.
OK, it's just my opinion, but Farhan's offseason was a complete failure, and yes he has an excuse as he was hired late in the offseason cycle. But don't forget his Opening Day Roster included Conner Joe and another OF who I can't even remember his name. Erik Kratz was the backup catcher. I also don't remember who the reserve MI was, but it wasn't Donovan Solano. Does anyone here believe Bobby Evans would not have been much more aggressive about putting together a roster that was ready to compete on Opening Day? Where would this team be if Domingo Santana, Adam Jones and Dallas Keuchal had been on the Opening Day roster just to name three, and yes, they were all available for prices the Giants could afford.
As for the Trade Deadline, I've already talked about how much I like the moves Farhan made, but there were moves he didn't make that may still come back to haunt him such as bringing in a veteran SP or two to bolster a rotation that currently has exactly 1 near-ace and 1 semi-reliable SP. I'll also say the farm system is looking a lot better than it did at the beginning of the season. How much of that is due to Farhan's player development ideas and how much is the normal progression of players who were already in the organization when he became GM is open to question. It's definitely not due to prospects he signed and drafted(OK, maybe Jaylin Davis can be considered a prospect and maybe he is someone to dream on).
In conclusion, do I believe the Giants would be over .500 if Zaidi had not come? I don't know, but I think it is definitely possible.
Down on the Farm: 8/16/2019
AAA Sacramento River Cats crushed the Reno Aces 17-7:
Jaylin Davis RF- 3 for 5, 3 HR(6), BB. BA= .375.
Chris Shaw 1B- 3 for 6, HR(16). BA= .299.
Christhian Adames 3B- 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .297.
Aramis Garcia C- 4 for 5, 2B, HBP. BA= .263.
Abiatal Avelino SS- 2 for 5, HR(12), BB. BA= .288.
More sillyball from the PCL, but it does seem like the Giants are going to want to see what they have in Jaylin Davis at the MLB level at some point.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Harrisburg Senators postponed.
*********************************************************************************
A+ Inland Empire 66'ers outscored the San Jose Giants 7-5:
Sandro Fabian RF- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .309.
Courtney Hawkins CF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .259.
Camilo Doval RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.22.
Rodolfo Martinez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 3.57.
Camilo Doval has allowed just 1 ER in 14 IP(0.64 ERA) with 23 K's and 5 BB's over his last 10 appearances.
*********************************************************************************
A Greensboro Grasshoppers edged out the Augusta Greenjackets 4-3:
Simon Whiteman 2B- 0 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .270.
Frankie Tostado DH- 1 for 4, HR(17). BA= .261.
Seth Corry LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 1.74.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Eugene Emeralds pounded the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 9-2:
Hunter Bishop DH- 1 for 4, HR(3). BA= .195.
Carter Aldrete 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .267.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black defeated the Athletics Gold 5-3(7 innings, Game 1 of DH):
Dilan Rosario SS- 1 for 3, SF. BA= .219.
Tyler Wyatt DH- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(4). BA= .224.
Jean Pena 3B- 1 for 3, 3B. BA= .209.
Bryce Fehmel RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black topped the Athletics Gold 3-2(7 innings, Game 2 of DH):
Grant McCray CF- 2 for 3. BA= .243.
Nolan Dempsey 2B- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .257.
Richgelon Juliana LF- 0 for 3, 2 Assists(3B, 3B). BA= .208.
Jose Cruz RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.93.
Ben Strahm RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 7.94.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Cubs 2 beat the Giants Orange 8-5:
Javeyon Williams LF- 2 for 5. BA= .270.
Luis Toribio 3B- 1 for 1, 2B, 3 BB. BA= .327.
Abdiel Layer 2B- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .287.
Patrick Hilson CF- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .223.
Caleb Kilian RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Curious to see how Bryce Fehmel and Caleb Kilian perform next year. I'm thinking they are two nice value picks from the 2019 draft.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants sank the Pirates2 8-4:
Rayner Santana DH- 1 for 3, HR(8), 2 BB. BA= .303.
Ronaldo Flores C- 2 for 5. BA= .332.
Jose Mullings RHP- 4 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.94.
Melvin Marte RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.80.
Jaylin Davis RF- 3 for 5, 3 HR(6), BB. BA= .375.
Chris Shaw 1B- 3 for 6, HR(16). BA= .299.
Christhian Adames 3B- 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SF. BA= .297.
Aramis Garcia C- 4 for 5, 2B, HBP. BA= .263.
Abiatal Avelino SS- 2 for 5, HR(12), BB. BA= .288.
More sillyball from the PCL, but it does seem like the Giants are going to want to see what they have in Jaylin Davis at the MLB level at some point.
*********************************************************************************
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Harrisburg Senators postponed.
*********************************************************************************
A+ Inland Empire 66'ers outscored the San Jose Giants 7-5:
Sandro Fabian RF- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .309.
Courtney Hawkins CF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .259.
Camilo Doval RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.22.
Rodolfo Martinez RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 3.57.
Camilo Doval has allowed just 1 ER in 14 IP(0.64 ERA) with 23 K's and 5 BB's over his last 10 appearances.
*********************************************************************************
A Greensboro Grasshoppers edged out the Augusta Greenjackets 4-3:
Simon Whiteman 2B- 0 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .270.
Frankie Tostado DH- 1 for 4, HR(17). BA= .261.
Seth Corry LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 1.74.
*********************************************************************************
Short Season Eugene Emeralds pounded the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 9-2:
Hunter Bishop DH- 1 for 4, HR(3). BA= .195.
Carter Aldrete 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .267.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black defeated the Athletics Gold 5-3(7 innings, Game 1 of DH):
Dilan Rosario SS- 1 for 3, SF. BA= .219.
Tyler Wyatt DH- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(4). BA= .224.
Jean Pena 3B- 1 for 3, 3B. BA= .209.
Bryce Fehmel RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Giants Black topped the Athletics Gold 3-2(7 innings, Game 2 of DH):
Grant McCray CF- 2 for 3. BA= .243.
Nolan Dempsey 2B- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .257.
Richgelon Juliana LF- 0 for 3, 2 Assists(3B, 3B). BA= .208.
Jose Cruz RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 4.93.
Ben Strahm RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 7.94.
*********************************************************************************
Rookie AZL Cubs 2 beat the Giants Orange 8-5:
Javeyon Williams LF- 2 for 5. BA= .270.
Luis Toribio 3B- 1 for 1, 2B, 3 BB. BA= .327.
Abdiel Layer 2B- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .287.
Patrick Hilson CF- 1 for 3, BB. BA= .223.
Caleb Kilian RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Curious to see how Bryce Fehmel and Caleb Kilian perform next year. I'm thinking they are two nice value picks from the 2019 draft.
*********************************************************************************
DSL Giants sank the Pirates2 8-4:
Rayner Santana DH- 1 for 3, HR(8), 2 BB. BA= .303.
Ronaldo Flores C- 2 for 5. BA= .332.
Jose Mullings RHP- 4 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 4.94.
Melvin Marte RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 2.80.
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