Down on the Farm: 8/3/2023

 AAA:  Reno Aces defeated the Sacramento River Cats 5-1.

NIck Swiney LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 4.34.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Juan Sanchez moves up to AAA and seems to be starting to generate some buzz.  Scouting reports are sketchy but seems to be not a hard thrower but with an arsenal of pitches with good command.  River Cats managed just one hit in the game along with 8 walks and 15 K's.  

AA:  Altoona Curve blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-0. 

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .176.

Hayden Cantrelle LF- 2 for 2, 2 BB, BB.  BA= .216.

Wil Jensen RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.40.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Tri-City Dust Devils 3-2.

Thomas Gavello 3B/C- 2 for 4.  BA= .216.

Reggie Crawford LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.50.

Hayden Wynja LHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 1.00.

Hunter Dula RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.84.

Reggie Crawford has 29 K's in 17 IP across two levels this season as the Giants are being extremely cautious with his innings out of TJ surgery early in 2022.  Wynja!  Wowza!  Moving way up prospect rankings.  Reminder that 6' 9" LHP's don't grow on trees.

A:  San Jose Giants pounded the Inland Empire 66'ers 8-2.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, Sac.  BA= .316.

Onil Perez C- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .314.

Andrew Kachel DH- 4 for 5.  BA= .302.

Anthony Rodriguez 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .242.

Patrick Hilson RF- 2 for 5.  BA= .230.

Jose Ramos SS- 2 for 5, 3B.  BA= .215.

Cameron Cotter RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

Complex Performances:

ACL:  

Elian Rayo 3B- 1 for 3, HR(7).  BA= .240.

Ubert Mejias RHP- 5 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.98.

Jean Carlos Sio SS- 2 for 2, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .300.

Derwin Laya DH- 2 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .277.

Justin Wishkoski 3B- 2 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .300.

Carlos Molina LHP(18 yo)- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.18.

DSL:

Carlos Gutierrez CF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(10).  BA= .390.

Anyelo Gonzalez C- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .308.

Moises De La Rosa RF- 1 for 3, HR(3), SF.  BA= .307.

Lisbel Diaz DH- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .425.

Jose Rengel LHP(17 yo)- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.67.

5 perfect innings from Rengel who has now not allowed a hit in his last 10 IP and just 2 hits and 1 ER in his last 15 IP over 3 appearances.

Game Wrap 8/3/2023: Giants 1 D'Backs 0

Lamonte Wade Jr's solo HR in the 4'th inning was all the run support the Giants needed in a bullpen game featuring Tristan Beck.   Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 1 for 3, HR(11).  BA= .268.  Giants only had one other hit in the game plus one walk.

Tristan Beck RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 4/1.  ERA= 2.73.  Casual reminder that Beck's last appearance was 2 scoreless extra-innings against the Red Sox starting both innings with a runner on 2B.  In his last 6 appearances since June 25 he's allowed just 1 run in 15.1 IP, 8 H and 3 BB.  He's on a role and now getting higher leverage roles.  When asked if Beck might become a full-fledged SP, Kapler said, "I think there is a case, but is there a case to let a guy kick *** and keep kicking *** in the role they are in because it's good for them?"  Tough to argue with that logic especially since Kap seems to keep on pushing the right buttons with the pitching staff, but I'd still like to see Beck get a chance to move into Logan Webb and Alex Cobb territory.  Maybe next year?  Dude looks like a hoss to me.

Scott Alexander LHP opened the game with a scoreless first inning.  Sean Manaea LHP, Luke Jackson RHP and Taylor Rogers LHP also contributed.  Camilo Doval RHP recorded his 33'rd Save of the season to close it out.  

Overall a pretty astonishing pitching performance.

The Win leaves the Giants 2 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West pending the outcome of their game against the A's.  The Giants remain ensconced in the first Wild Card position but 1.5 games over the Phillies and 2.5 games ahead of the Reds.

The Giants get a rare Friday off before a 2 game series across the bay in Oakland.

Down on the Farm: 8/2/2023

 AAA:  Reno Aces outscored the Sacramento River Cats 9-6.

Thairo Estrada DH- 1 for 4.  BA= .143.

Marco Luciano 2B- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .286.

Brett Wisely 3B- 1 for 3, HR(5), BB.  BA= .299.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 4.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.  BA= 5.12.

Thairo should be ready to come off the IL this weekend, a rapid return from a wrist fracture from a HBP.  Hope he's fully healed and ready to pick up where he left off.  The team sorely missed him.  Marco Luciano playing 2B to increase his versatility and give him more chances at playing time if/when he comes back in Sept.....or sooner.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels dominated the Altoona Curve 7-0.

Shane Matheny 3B- 4 for 5, 3B, SB(4).  BA= .250.

Carter Aldrete DH- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .236.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 5, 3B.  BA= .146.

Jimmy Glowenke SS- 2 for 4, 2B, BB. .BA= .229.

Brandon Martorano C- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .202.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, GO/AO= 6/2.  ERA= 4.53.

Parker Dunshee RHP- 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 4/0.  ERA= 2.95.

Evan Gates RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.52.

A+:  Tri-City Dust Devils blanked the Eugene Emeralds 5-0.

William Kempner RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

A:  San Jose Giants pounded the Inland Empire 66'ers 11-3.

Turner Hill CF- 5 for 5, 2B.  BA= .301.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 2 for 3, HR(7), 2 BB.  BA= .314.

Luke Shliger C- 2 orrr 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .375.

Dilan Rosario 1B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .244.

Patrick Hilson RF- 2 for 5, HR(5).  BA= .225.

Jose Ramos SS- 1 for 3, 3B, 2 BB.  BA= .212.

Nomar Medina LHP- 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.06.

Luis Moreno RHP- 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.17.

Complex Performances:

Guillermo Williamson 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .299.

Ty Hanchey C- 3 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .444.

Cole Foster SS- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2), BB.  BA= .333.

Seth Corry LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Nicolas Herold RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K.  ERA= 5.14.

Cole Foster already proving to be too good for the Complex.  Problem is where do you promote him to?  SJ has Diego Velasquez and Jose Ramos playing SS.  Arteaga is in Eugene.  None of those seem to be particularly ready for promotion.  Maybe you move them up a level in the last 2-3 weeks to get a preview of what they will face next year?  Guessing Foster will be ready for A+ by next season.  Tough decisions.

Herold was signed as a minor league FA on 6/22. He is 6' 6", 215 lbs.

Game Wrap 8/2/2023: Giants 4 D'Backs 2

Logan Webb got knocked around for 2 runs in the first inning then settled down to allow just one more hit through the 7'th inning and the Giants scored 4 runs in the middle innings for the runaway win(by their recent standards).  Key Lines: 

Wilmer Flores DH 3 for 4, 2B.  BA= .305.  Wilmer stays hot and pushes his season OPS above .900.  He's been one of the hottest hitters in MLB for over 2 months with OPS's above 1.000 in both June and July.

J. D. Davis 3B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .260.   Davis singled and scored ahead of Brandon Crawford's triple in the 5'th inning for the Giants first run.  He then doubled with the bases loaded in the 6'th to drive in the go ahead and insurance runs.  Giants need him to get his bat going again.

Logan Webb RHP- 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, GO/AO= 12/1.  ERA= 3.45.  Maybe Webby needs an Opener?  Once he got that first inning out of the way he was unhittable for the next 6 innings.  17'th QS of the season.

Camilo Doval RHP recorded his 32'nd Save of the season and Tyler Rogers RHP recorded his 24'th Hold with 3 GB outs in the 8'th.

Giants remain 2.5 games behind the NL West leading Dodgers but gain a game on the Wild Card competition.  They are currently in the first Wild Card playoff spot 1.5 games ahead of the Phillies and 2 games ahead of the Marlins and Brewers.

The Giants go for a 3-1 series win tomorrow afternoon with TBD facing Brandon Pfaadt RHP.

Down on the Farm: 8/1/2023

 AAA:  Reno Aces downed the Sacramento River Cats 5-1.

Heliot Ramos DH- 2 for 4, HR(8).  BA= .298.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 12 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 9.53.

Wade Meckler RF drew 2 walks in 4 PA's in his first AAA game.

AA:  Altoona Curve blanked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 1-0.

Carson Seymour RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K's, GO/AO- 0/5.  ERA= 3.81.

Ben Madison RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

This might be Carson Seymour's most dominant game of the season.  Interesting that he's normally an extreme GB pitcher but reversed his GO/AO in this game.  Is it possible he used a 4-seam FB more in this game?

A+:  Tri-City Dust Devils blanked the Eugene Emeralds 1-0.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 4, 2 2B.  BA= .229.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.50.

Andrew Blair RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 7.47.

Dominant pitching performances up and down the organization today.  Hitting not so much.

A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Inland Empire 66'ers.

Turner Hill CF- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(20).  BA= .283.

Tanner O'Tremba RF- 2 for 5.  BA= .264.

Anthony Rodriguez 3B- 3 for 4, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .232.

Complex Performances:

ACL:

Scott Bandura CF- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .444.

Javier Francisco 3B- 1 for 3, HR(6).  BA= .270.

Estanlin Cassiani LF- 2 for 3.  BA= .276.

Guillermo Williamson 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .290.

Cole Foster DH- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .286.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 2 for 4.  BA= .500.

Mikell Manzano RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.12.

Trent Harris RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 8/1/2023: Giants 4 D'Backs 3

 The Giants offense came to life with a 3-spot in the 6'th inning to tie the game.  Lamonte drove in the go-ahead run in the 7'th and the bullpen and Patrick Bailey shut down the D'Backs the rest of the way.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 3 for 3, HR(10), BB.  BA= .267.  LMWJ has been in a slump but broke out of it tonight.  His HR in the 7'th was the eventual winning run.

Blake Sabol C- 1 for 2, HBP.  BA= .254.  Sabol got a 2-out single in the 6'th inning and scored from first when Luis Matos CF smoked a double into the R-CF gap for the Giants first run.  He also threw out a basestealer.

Brandon Crawford SS- 2 for 4, HR(6).  BA- .214.  Crawford followed Matos' double with a HR to straightway CF.  I didn't think it would go and I don't think Kuip thought it would either but Crawford knew as soon as he hit it from his body language.

Patrick Bailey C- 0 for 1.  BA= .256.  Bailey came into the game as a defensive replacement in the 8'th inning and promptly threw out a basestealer.  He then ended the game in the 9'th by picking off Perdomo at 1B(same guy Sabol threw out trying to steal).  Wow!  Bailey now has 19 CS out of 49 attempted steals or 39%.  He seems to be getting better at it too!  IDK if Bailey will ever be a better all-around player than Buster Posey but I don't remember Buster ever being quite this good at throwing out baserunners.

Alex Cobb RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.05.  Cobb was ill with some sort of upper GI malady coming in.  I read on Twit....er X that Sean Hjelle RHP there in case Cobb couldn't go.  He was electric through 4 innings but maybe loss of stamina from the illness contributed to 3 solo HR's in the 5'th and 6'th innings?

Ryan Walker RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.35.  Where would this team be without Ryan Walker?  What a huge addition to the bullpen from within the organization.

Sean Manaea LHP- 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 5.49.  I nearly had a heart attack when Kap went to Manaea to get the last 2 outs.  He got the lefty hitting Corbin Carroll to fly out then with the dangerous Christian Walker at the plate, Bailey took care of the rest by picking off Perdomo. Game over!!!

The Giants remain 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and are sitting in the first Wild Card playoff spot by 0.5 games over the Phillies and 1 game over the Brewers.   The Marlins and D'Backs trail the BrewCrew by 1 game.

Logan Webb RHP takes the mound tomorrow evening facing Slade Cecconi RHP who is, oh no!, making his first MLB start.

Churn Watch:

AJ Pollack OF was activated off the IL.  Marco Luciano SSwas optioned back to AAA Sacramento in spite of looking good in his very SSS.

Down on the Farm: 7/31/2023

 Full season affiliates had their usual Monday off.  

Complex Performances:

ACL:  

Scott Bandura CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .500.

Bryce Eldridge RF- 0 for 3, BB.  BA= .000.

Bo Davidson LF- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .667.

Guillermo Williamson LF/1B- 3 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .281.

Cesar Quintas CF- 3 for 4.  BA= .394.

Charlie Szykowny DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .286.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Tommy Kane LHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 0.00.

Giants first round draft pick, Eldridge, plays in his first pro game.  Kyle Harrison has a successful rehab start/opening.

DSL: 

Carlos Gutierrez CF(18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .382.

Anyelo Gonzalez DH(18 yo)- 2 for 4.  BA= .302.

Luis Frias RF(18 yo)- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .291.

Anthony Tandron SS(17 yo)- 3 for 4, 2 2B, SB(4).  BA= .277.

Jose Rojas RHP(19 yo)- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.43.

Between his size(6' 3"), age and numbers Anthony Tandron from Cuba looks like a prospect to follow.