Spring Training Game Wrap 3/11/2018: Giants 5 Padres 4

Hunter Pence highlighted a 5-run rally in the first inning with a grand slam HR and the Giants hung on for a 1-run win.  Key Lines:

Austin Jackson CF- 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .400.  Jackson is having a fine spring at the plate.  Starting to make a believer out of of me even though spring stats mean close to nothing.

Hunter Pence DH- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB.  BA= .143.  The dinger was a first pitch grand slam HR in the first inning.  And Hunter Pence sez "STFU, haters!"

Ty Blach LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K, ERA= 2.92.  Blach wasn't as sharp as in his previous starts. You could tell because even the outs were fly balls or lineouts.

DJ Snelton LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.69.  Snelton is leaving an impression for later if the Giants need to call up a lefty reliever.

Mark Melancon RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 2/0.  ERA= 4.50.  Per Pavs, Melancon's stuff looked more crisp today than his first appearance.

Pierce Johnson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Another guy who is leaving his calling card for down the road.

Tyler Herb RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  Nice 2 innings of work for Herb, who should get the promo to Sacramento after pitching AA last year.

*********************************************************************************

Fantasy Focus:  Around the League

Bartolo Colon SP, Rangers- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.04.  Looks like Colon is going to do his thing for at least another year.  He has value in Wins and WHIP.

JC Ramirez, SP, Angels- 4.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.72.  Ramirez has been very good when healthy.

Justin Upton, OF, Angels- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .333.  Upton may be poised for his career year.

Matt Olson, 1B, A's- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .310.  Olson had a breakout in the second half last year.  From his spring so far, he may be able to keep it up for a full season.

Luke Weaver, SP, Cardinals- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.00.  Breakout candidate.

Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .280.  Gregorius is my late round target at SS.

Francisco Liriano, SP, Tigers- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA- 0.00.  Liriano is a lock for the Tigers decimated rotation.  He's had his ups and downs, but can be terrific when he gets on a roll.

Jose Pirela, 2B, Padres- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .481.  Padres are obviously trying to expand Pirela's defensive repertoire to get his bat into the lineup more.  Deep sleeper, but needs a position.

Andrew Cashner, SP, Orioles- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 6/2.  ERA= 0.00.  Cashner's first appearance of the spring.  He's kind of like Bartolo Colon only younger.  Had a 3.40 ERA in 166 IP for the Rangers last year, but had a poor K/BB.

Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies- 1 for 2, HR(3), BB.  BA= .308.  Iannetta has appeared to be on the verge of breakouts in the past and disappointed, but I love his upside moving to Coors Field.

Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers- 2 for 2.  BA= .409.   If he can throw at all, it seems like a matter of a short time before Hiura is the starting 2B for the BrewCrew.  He should be an instant asset in BA.

Carlos Carrasco, SP, Indians- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.00. Carrasco is an ace level pitcher now.

Wade Miley, SP, Brewers- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.38.  Miley has disappointed for several years.  Is he pulling it back together?

Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox- 2 for 2, 3B, HR(2) BB.  BA= .750.  Jimenez missed the early part of spring training with an injury, but is back with a vengeance.  If you have a place to stash him, by all means try to draft him.  Just a monster bat.

Reynaldo Lopez, SP, White Sox- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.96. Breakout candidate.

Brandon Finnegan, SP, Reds- left his start in the first inning with forearm pain.

Robinson Cano, 2B, Mariners- left the game in the first inning with a lame hammy.