Spring Training Game Wrap 3/16/2025: Giants 7 A's 3

Hayden Birdsong pitched 5 electric innings to forcefully state his case for the 5'th starter roster spot.  Key Lines:  

Heliot Ramos DH- 2 for 3.  BA= .308.  Ramos is 4 for 6 over his last 2 games to bring his stat line up across the board.  

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, HR(3).  BA= .361.  Adames made a throwing error in the second inning that was erased on a line-out double play by the next batter.  I tuned into the game late but saw him make a fine play later in the game.  After he and Chapman came out of the game they showed off some camaraderie for the Kuip and Hunter Pence who were interviewing Chapman in the dugout.  So far, Adames looks like everything Buster hoped for when he signed and more.

Wilmer Flores 1B- 1 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .265.  Wilmer looks healthy and a healthy Wilmer is good news for the lineup.

Jerar Encarnacion LF- 2 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .333.  I didn't see the first double but Gameday said it was a drive over the CF head.  The second one was a rocket over the RF head which is the second time I have seen him hit an absolute laser beam to RF.  Jerar came into camp with Bob Melvin saying good things about him and he has done nothing to change Melvin's mind to this point other than reinforce the good impression.

Max Stassi C- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .278.  Stassi is coming on strong in the battle for back up catcher.  He has more experience and has the better defensive reputation.  On the other hand, he is quite a bit older with a significant injury history and the Giants would likely lose Huff since he is out of options.  Yet another tough decision for Buster and BoMel.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's, 5/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.75.  Absolutely electric!  98 MPH on the FB.  Per Maria Guardado 7 of his 8 K's came on the changeup.  Again, I tuned in late but I caught his last K and it was on a diving, fading changeup that would make Noah Lowry proud.  Landen Roupp RHP has had a great spring and dazzled everybody in a minor league camp game but that was ace-level stuff Birdsong was flashing today.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 10.80.  The line looks ugly but he struck out his final batter on a 95 MPH heater so the arm strength looked a whole lot better.  Still, it would seem Roupp and Birdsong have both passed him on the depth chart and he may benefit from some seasoning and stamina building in AAA to start the season.

Lou Trivino RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Trivino sure looks like he's all but sewn up a roster spot in the bullpen.

Justin Verlander RHP makes his 4'th spring start on the road tomorrow against the White Sox.  He also pitched a camp game rather than face the Dodgers a couple of starts ago.