AAA Sacramento River Cats edged out the Colorado Springs Skysox 4-3:
Darren Ford(CF)- 2 for 5, SB(10). BA= .266.
Casey McGehee(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .250.
Juan Perez(RF)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(9). BA= .233.
Carlos Triunfel(2B)- 2 for 4. BA= .239.
Ehire Adrianza(SS)- 1 for 3, Sac, SB(3). BA= .333.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 7/1. ERA= 4.32.
Steven Okert(LHP)- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.57.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 3.86.
Casey McGehee had a better day. It looks like Blackburn probably came out due to pitch count issues as he threw a total of 75. Okert gets back on his horse after being thrown in his last appearance, although he flipped closer and setup roles with Cody Hall in this one.
*********************************************************************************
AA Reading Fightin' Phils topped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 4-3:
Mac Williamson(RF)- 2 for 4, 3B. BA= .305.
Jack Snodgrass(LHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 12/4. ERA= 4.14.
Aaron Nola(RHP, Phils)- 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 1.81.
Big Mac continues to more than hold his own in the Big Bad Eastern League. Aaron Nola is, of course, a name you probably all recognize from last year's draft.
*********************************************************************************
High A Inland Empire 66'ers outlasted the San Jose Giants 6-4 in 13 innings:
Seth Harrison(CF)- 2 for 6, 2B. BA= .286.
Christian Arroyo(SS)- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .333.
Tyler Horan(RF)- 1 for 6, HR(4). BA= .222.
Jeff Arnold(Catcher)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .500.
Hunter Cole(DH)- 0 for 3, 2 BB, SF. BA= .328.
Tyler Beede(RHP)- 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K's, GO/AO= 7/1. ERA= 2.24.
Ian Gardeck(RHP)- 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K. ERA= 4.35.
Dan Slania(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.90.
Jason Forjet(RHP)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 2.20.
I attended this game with friends and family. We had 2'nd row seats about halfway between the Giants dugout and home plate. It was a huge honor to have Joe Ritzo come up and introduce himself before the game and tell me he likes my blog and reads it regularly. I will treasure that the rest of my life! Another member of the Giants traveling party was sitting across the row from us and gave us a nice magnetized Giants schedule.
As you can see, Christian Arroyo played in his first game coming off the DL and had 2 hits. He hit a 3'rd ball hard for a line drive out to the OF. Ryder Jones is the other young hitter in the lineup. He went 0 for 6 with an error. The error was a muff of a high chopper he was trying to hurry on. I'm not sure he would have gotten the runner if he had made a clean play. Despite the 0 for 6, he had 2 line drive outs and a high drive that was caught on the warning track in Right-CF. I think this was Jeff Arnold's first game since blowing out his knee in the first game last season. I wonder if it was coincidence that Tyler Beede had his best game as pro with Arnold catching him?
OK, I know you all want a report on Tyler Beede. He was absolutely dominant as you can see from the pitching line. I only had access to the stadium radar gun. Unfortunately, it seemed to be quite inconsistent and unreliable. Beede's max velocity reading that I saw was 94 MPH, but I only saw a handful of pitches that registered 90 MPH or above and Beede obviously threw a lot more FB's than a handful. I just think the stadium gun was squirrely! I have read that Beede has been throwing almost exclusively 2-seam FB's and cutters. I have also read that the Giants were going to let him expand his repertoire soon. I am not an expert at recognizing pitches and I was sitting a bit off to the side, but from my vantage point, I would say he probably broke out his full arsenal in this game. I believe I saw both 4-seam and 2-seam FB's, cutters, a hard curve, a few slow curves and a few changeups.
Beede is big, with long arms, but looks well proportioned but with room to fill out a bit. He has a very clean looking delivery with every movement giving him momentum directly to the plate. He has a long stride which allows him to release the ball closer to home plate and give him more effective FB velocity. He appears to be self assured but not cocky on the mound. When runners got on base, he almost got a more confident body language on the mound. He very calmly and methodically erased 2 of his 5 baserunners on GIDP's.
I have now seen Matt Cain, Merkin Valdez, Tim Lincecum, Zack Wheeler and Beede pitch in Cal League games. In those 1 game samples, I would still rank Zack Wheeler's game in Lake Elsinore as the most dominant pitching performance I've seen at this level. I would rank Beede's game last night as #2. I think we have a good one here, folks! A few more games like this one and I could easily see a promotion to AA by mid-season and possibly a September callup.
I will mention Ian Gardeck's inning, because it looks terrible, but he was victimized by some of the worst luck I've ever seen. He walked a batter with one out, but then a dribbler to 1B caught Brian Ragira in no-man's land for the second time in the game to put 2 runners on. The play at 1B was close and manager Russ Morman came out to argue, of course to no avail. Ryder Jones then muffed the high chopper to load the bases. The next batter hit what looked like a single between 3'rd and SS, but it hooked into the 66'ers bullpen and got stuck under the chairs. I don't know if LF Jesus Galindo thought it had gone into the stands or what, but he came jogging in from LF with his hands up in a stop sign. The ump made no call and the runners kept on running around the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam. Yup, you read that right! Gardeck went bonkers and was pulled away from the ump by his teammates while Morman came out and argued some more. Things quieted down, but the next batter singled up the middle and Gardeck went nuts again. I could hear him yelling from my seat above the crowd noise and I'm fairly hard of hearing! Gardeck was ejected and was still really hot as he came down the dugout steps. I don't blame him for being enormously frustrated, but I can't say the umps made bad calls. I'll just say this. I saw Brandon Crawford play up in High Desert one night when a ball did almost the exact same thing. Crawford hustled all the way into the opposing bullpen from his SS position and in one motion threw a strike to home plate which almost got the runner. That's when I knew Crawford had a chance to be a really good MLB SS!
*********************************************************************************
Low A Asheville Tourists outslugged the Augusta Greenjackets 13-12:
Johneshwy Fargas(CF)- 2 for 6, HR(1), SB(22). BA= .307.
Travious Relaford(SS)- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(1), BB. BA= .280.
Jonah Arenado(3B)- 2 for 6. BA= .271.
Matt Pare(Catcher)- 2 for 5, HR(2), BB. BA= .273.
Andrew Cain(LF)- 2 for 5, HR(2), SB(3). BA= .206.
Carlos Diaz(LHP)- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.87.
I've read that Asheville is one of 4 extremely live ballparks in the SAL. I certainly lived up to that reputation in this game!
*********************************************************************************
DSL Twins vs Giants suspended in top of the 9'th inning with the Twins leading 3-1:
Manuel Geraldo(2B)- 2 for 3, 2B, SB(1). BA= .667.
Sandro Cabrera(LHP)- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Jasier Herrera(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
I really liked Geraldo last year and am somewhat surprised he is repeating the DSL. I expect a big season from him. Cabrera will turn 20 yo on June 22. He is 6'2", 170 lbs. Herrera is 17 yo. He is 6'5", 190 lbs. Those numbers alone tell me he is someone to watch.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Great to see your thoughts about the game! Got few questions to ask about Beede, DrB. From what you have seen while you're watching him pitch, what do you think is the better or the best of his offspeed pitches, his curve or his changeup or his cutter? How is his command of his sinker throughout the game, is he still on the part of mastering it or is it a good or great pitch already in his repertoire? MiLB Gameday doesn't have pitch types so I am just left to guess what pitches are way out of the zone and the ones right on the virtual hitter's knees.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Arroyo back from his injury and I am glad that his back after 6 weeks as what I have read on player injuries. What can you say about his bat and defense, DrB?
I may have asked a lot of questions here but I think I am just as eager to know about our future Giants (hopefully they will not get traded in the future) as anyone here. Thanks!
Wrenzie
No problem, Wrenzie. Gotta love the passion!
DeleteBeede's 2-seamer looked good from where I was sitting. When he wasn't striking batters out, they were hitting routine grounders for easy outs and I was extremely impressed with his apparent confidence in his ability to get the GIDP's when needed. From a bit of a side view, I could not tell if the 2-seamer's were hitting to corners or just sinking hard down the middle, but they were effective. I would definitely say he had better command of the 2-seamers than the ones I thought were 4-seamers.
The pitches I thought were definitely cutters looked terrific. The IE hitters looked completely helpless against them. The best part was he threw them sparingly enough that the hitters did not seem to be looking for them at all.
I thought the hard curves looked like good pitches. He seemed to use them against LH batters by throwing them down and in to the back foot.
I honestly did not see enough of the change ups or slow curves to make much of a judgement. They seemed to be more for keeping the hitters off balance than necessarily as put away pitches. They were effective in that regard, though.
As for Arroyo, he has a fairly long stride with his front foot, although I don't think I would call it a leg kick. It's definitely a lot more than what Joe Panik does which is just turn his front foot. Arroyo's has almost no load to this swing and appears to take a very short quick, but yet powerful path to the ball with a good weight-shift and follow through. He's not big but has a compact, powerful build.
It is extremely hard to judge defense. Arroyo made all the plays that came his way except one grounder up the middle that he dived for and missed. Very hard to tell if a SS with better range would have gotten it. I would say his arm strength is adequate, but probably not up to Crawford's standards, but that is a very high standard that we've all gotten spoiled by.
I will add that Beede appeared to expend a lot less effort in his delivery than Wheeler did in Lake Elsinore several years ago, so maybe in that regard, Beede was actually more dominant?
DeleteGotta say something about Ryder Jones too. He has a very strange looking body for a ballplayer. He has a large upper torso with broad shoulders that look hunched forward. He has narrow hips with long spindly looking legs. If I was a scout, I would probably say his hit tool looks legit, but the body is not your standard issue ballplayers by a long stretch. As Billy Beane famously said, though, we're not selling jeans here.
Thank you for the follow up! I have learned a lot about the guys and a little more when you included Ryder Jones! I forgot to ask about Austin Slater and Hunter Cole. How's Slater's defense since his transition from OF to 2B? His offensive numbers looks legit for me but I have little idea about Hunter Cole. What is the impression that he left you since he's just DH-ing at the game, DrB? Thank you again!
DeleteWrenzie
Nothing really outstanding about either Cole or Slater. They both have nice size which should translate into at least gap power. The both seem be capable of putting together good AB's although Slater had several groundouts. As for defense, of course, Cole DH'd so not looks with him. Slater helped turn 2 DP's and I'm sure he must have scooped up at least 1 or 2 of the GB outs that Beede recorded.
DeleteThank you for the write ups, DrB! I've learned a lot about the notable SJ Giants prospects and more! The DSL season has started and I am going to look at Sandro Fabian, one of the top J2 signee, all season long, taking a look at his performance against the competition and check on his development as well as the other prospects like Geraldo. Thank you again, DrB!
DeleteWrenzie
very nice of joe to introduce himself. he is a very solid pbp guy.
ReplyDeletewonder if the org will stick to its normal development schedule and keep beede in the cal league for the duration, or look to bump him to either the eastern or pcl at the break
the in house radar guns at both inland empire and rancho are both off, as ive sat next to scouts using real guns that had totally different readings on pitches then did the inhouse
wanted to go to today's game, but ive got a wedding to attend
will have to wait till the next giants road trip
bacci
Cain, Bumgarner and Wheeler were all promoted to AA after half a season in San Jose, so I think there is a good chance for Beede to be promoted if he has dominant June.
DeleteMLBTR reports the Giants are set to sign our old friend Kevin Frandsen to a minor league deal. Again, I don't know wheretheheck they are going to put all these minor league FA signees, but it's nice to see them giving these guys a chance. Man, I remember the arguments we all used get into about Kevin Frandsen!
ReplyDeleteBA reports they signed several indy ball players too. Is it possible they are anticipating a HS heavy draft and need the bodies for Salem-Keizer?
Deleteofficial
Deletetravis is staying with the org and has accepted assignment to sacto (wouldve been silly to give up the remainder of the contract)
and kfran is indeed back in the fold...
can never have too much depth
bacci
Baggarly noted that both Ishi and Frandsen are going to Sacramento. http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/05/31/giants-lineup-and-other-pre-game-notes-for-sunday-bumgarner-looks-to-cap-historic-may/
DeleteShocked to see Frandsen back after the woohah that caused the Giants to dump him. Too bad, if he had just put his nose to the grindstone instead of making things difficult, he probably would have gotten called up at some point in 2010 and gotten a ring of the first championship.
I have wondered if Schierholtz might ever return too, there was much made this season about getting rings to all the guys who were on the team last year but not on this year's team, and how they got their rings, but there was nothing in 2011 about Bengie getting his ring, nor Schierholtz getting his ring in 2013.
Baggerly also noted a famous prospect name of the past: Rikkert Faneyte.
Pretty sure Bochy presented Nate his ring on the field before a Cubs game.
DeleteBenjie was a free agent that never got signed. The next time he made an official appearance was as a coach for the Cards.
Yeah, I remember Bengie and Nate both getting their rings. Don't recall the details. Funny how changing circumstances changes attitudes. Travis Ishikawa left the Giants feeling very angry. By the time he returned, he was thankful to have any MLB job.
DeleteHas Beede made the statement of now being the Giants top prospect! Thanks for the write up Dr. B. for those of us who can't get to the minor league games. From all of us you are respected and appreciated. With multiple picks I think you have to take the risk with High School prospects. Wonder if Sabean will control picks or will it be an Evans draft? I know the Giants have stayed away from injured pitcher's, but with 3 high picks...this year might be different. Do you think Jones will stay at 3B? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNo disrespect to Susac, who I think is a fine prospect, but I've thought Beede was the Giants clear top prospect from the moment he was drafted.
DeleteI think Jones can stay at 3B. He just needs repetition to make things like quick transfers and footwork second nature to him.
Thanks for your great reportage about Beede, it was exciting to get such a good report about what you saw. Seems like the Giants did indeed let go of the reins in this start.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Beede talked them into it? He seems to be, as they say, his own man, confident but not cocky, and he clearly bought into all the recommendations that the Giants made, and maybe he felt that he finally had a good handle on his new pitches and whatever else they have taught him. From what I recall, didn't he say that he had been holding back on his faster pitches, so perhaps he's still doing that?
But what an exciting start!!! Strikeouts AND ground outs, plus only one walk. I had forgotten that past guys had been promoted to AA mid-season, perhaps that is why he's been allowed to see what he could do in this start, see if he's ready to move up a level. Plus, if I recall right, Lincecum moved to the majors pretty quickly, some SJ, some AAA, then majors, right?
I would not necessarily take my word for gospel truth on what pitches he was using last night. I am just telling you my impressions based on a suboptimal angle and a squarely stadium gun, so I could be all wrong. I was trying hard to identify pitches and I am quite sure I saw more than just 2-seamers and cutters.
DeleteYes, Timmy pitched a few games for SJ the summer he was drafted and signed. He started his first full pro season in AAA and moved up to SF within just a few starts. They are already taking it slower with Beede, but I think he will be a fast mover.
Thanks for the report on Beede. I was kind of curious because I'm hoping he can challenge for a spot next year and at least come up to the 40-man.
ReplyDeleteHey DrB, what a cool game to be in attendance for. Congrats on your compliment from Ritzo. That is so cool, and very much deserved!
ReplyDeleteThe Giants have quite a few prospects who are doing good things this year, but I don't think I'd seen one pitching line that made my eyes bulge yet. That changed when I checked the SJ box last night. What a breakout for Beede... let's just hope this is the beginning. And if the Giants really did take the reigns off him and let him throw the 4-seam again, then this is a tremendous development. Tremendous either way, I suppose!
Thanks for the reports. I've never been to San Jose, but I can tell you the stadium gun in Sacramento has always seemed very light on velocities to me as well. The hardest pitch it registered from Okert while I was there was 91... and I KNOW he works harder than that.
As for the gun, I can believe that his peak velocity was 94 and that his FB's ranged from 91-94. What I don't believe is that he only threw a handful of pitches in that range. Just one example. I saw one sequence where he threw what appeared to be a sure cutter that registered 88 MPH, The next pitch looked straighter and faster, yet registered just 86 MPH. Stuff like that happened all game. So it's not so much that I think the gun was inaccurate in recording his peak velocity, but that I think it was very inconsistent.
DeleteThat is awesome to hear about Joe Ritzo, Doc! We've all come to appreciate your blog and insights on the game. I was excited to see Beede's line that night and immediately came here to get your perspective on it, knowing you were at the game. Keep up the great work. JA
ReplyDelete