Spring Training Game Wrap 3/15/2025: Giants 6 Mariners 2

The Giants and Logan Webb overcame a second inning defensive meltdown in what ended up as an easy win.  Key Lines:

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 3, HR(2).  BA= .364.  It's only spring but so far Willy Adames looks like the difference maker the Giants hope he will be. 

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .261.  I think Heliot heard us talking about him yesterday.....and I thought for sure he already had a HR on the spring, but guess not.  Jung Hoo Lee was a late scratch due back tightness so Chapman moved up to 3'rd in the lineup and Ramos batted cleanup.  He sure did what a cleanup hitter is supposed to.

Jerar Encarnacion RF- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .311. Ditto Heliot Ramos.  YtY was also a late scratch. No word on if it was injury related or if they just wanted more looks at Jerar.

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .324.  McCray isn't backing down from the fight for 4'th OF role.

Logan Webb RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.84.  Webb was in midseason form.  The two runs in the second inning came on a pair of inexplicable E's by none other than Matt Chapman and another throwing error by Webb himself.

Tyler Rogers RHP(3.00), Ryan Walker RHP(4.76), Camilo Doval RHP(1.29) and Randy Rodriguez RHP(2.84) each pitched a scoreless frame. If the final bullpen slot comes down to Randy Rodriguez and Joel Peguero RHP, I think you have to go with Rodriguez as it currently stands.  Buster has some tough decisions coming up but that is a good problem to have.

Hayden Birdsong RHP gets to state his case for 5'th SP tomorrow afternoon against the A's in a game that will be televised on NBCSBA.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/14/2025: Brewers 11 Giants 5

There were a few individual bright spots for the Giants in a rough game for most of the pitchers in a road loss.  Key Lines:

Heliot Ramos LF- 0 for 4, 3 K's.  BA= .200.  Ouch.  I watched his first AB on Gameday and he swung through the first 3 pitches of the game.  Ouch!  I doubt Ramos loses his starting LF job in spring training but he could be on a very short leash if Matos keeps hitting.

Luis Matos CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), BB.  BA= .364.  Matos is having a great spring.  Probably significant that he started in CF and didn't hurt himself with a leaping catch above the wall.  

David Villar 1B- 1 for 2, HR(2), BB.  BA= .250.  Not saying this is going to happen but a comment about Fitz possibly filling in at SS made me rethink the whole bench scheme which would avoid giving Villar away for basically nothing in return.  As long as they are healthy, at least 6 of the Giants starting 8 position players can go pretty much every day, excluding catcher which has a separate backup, and 1B which will most likely be a LMWJ/Wilmer platoon.  If they carry 13 batters on the roster that leaves just 3 spots for DH/Bench.  I have assumed they would need one bench spot for someone who can back up SS and another who can back up CF.  But as our commenter pointed out, as long as they are healthy, Lee and Adames are going to play almost every game.  If it is just an occasional game either Fitz or Chapman could fill in at SS and YtY or Ramos could cover CF.  If Lee or Adames gets hurt, they can call someone up from the minors. Again, not saying its going to happen or that it's even likely but in that scenario a 5 person Bench/DH could be Huff, Flores, Encarnacion, Lamb and Villar.  That gives you the veteran lefty bat off the bench and for DH and keeps them from having to DFA the two guys who are out of options.(I have to say Encarnacion has cooled off a lot and with the way Matos is hitting I am less convinced Encarnacion is a lock to make the team).

Jake Lamb DH- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .364.  Speaking of Lamb, he's having a strong spring although he has a history of strong springs which have not accurately forecast his regular season performances.

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 3.  BA- .357.  If the Giants think they need utility IF who can pick it at SS, Koss is certainly stating his case.  He would have to be added to the 40-man roster, though.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .500.  He's just 19 yo and has two strong pro seasons of experience.  He's definitely on my potential breakout prospect list for 2025.

Jordan Hicks RHP- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 5/2.  ERA= 9.45.  Hicks got through the first two innings smoothly but ran into trouble in the 3'rd.  A one out walk, line drive single and flyball single to RF where Jerar Encarnacion was playing(would YtY have caught it?) loaded the bases.  Christian Yelich showed he still has something in the tank with grand slam HR, his third of the spring.

Lou Trivino RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Trivino continues to put a lock on a roster spot out of the bullpen.

Logan Webb RHP makes his fourth spring start tomorrow against the Mariners in Scottsdale.

Landen Roupp RHP went 5 innings in a game in minor league camp.  He struck out 13, that's right, 13 batters in 5 IP with 1 hit and 1 walk allowed.  What's interesting is Bob Melvin did not make the road trip and instead went to Papago to watch Roupp's game.  From the stat line, it sure seems like he saw whatever he was looking for from Roupp. 

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/13/2025: Rangers 7 Giants 3

Robbie Ray had a strong start but the bullpen faltered to break the Giants spring win streak.  Key Lines:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 2, 2B.  BA= .261.  Bailey's double in the 4'th inning drove in 2 of the Giants 3 runs.  Seven other Giants had a single each in the game for a total of 8 hits.  

Robbie Ray LHP- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 1.93.  You can probably write everything else that happened in this game off to normal spring variation, but a healthy effective season from Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander RHP would be a huge boost to the Giants postseason chances.  If what we saw from them the last two games is what we'll get for a full season, the Giants will be OK.  

Jordan Hicks RHP starts tomorrow afternoon in a road game against the Brewers.  

I thought I would break down where the Giants are with the bullpen part of their roster.  If the Giants carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players there is room for 8 RP's on the roster:

Locks(3):  Ryan Walker RHP(closer), Camilo Doval RHP, Tyler Rogers RHP.

Probable(2):  Erik Miller LHP, Sean Hjelle RHP

Miller because he is the only LHP on the 40-man roster(although he has options).   Hjelle because Melvin likes him and he is unique physical talent.  

Inside Track(2):  Lou Trivino RHP, Joey Lucchesi LHP.

Trivino is a veteran who pitched very well for Melvin in the past and appears to be fully healthy after two missed seasons.  Lucchesi fits the profile of a lefty reliever who can go more than 1 inning and even spot start Melvin said he is looking for plus he's on one of those hybrid conditional MLB contracts which usually means it's his job to lose and he has done nothing to lose it so far.

In the mix for final spot(1):  Spencer Bivens RHP, Randy Rodriguez RHP, Joel Peguero RHP, Tristan Beck RHP, Landen Roupp RHP.

Roupp appears to have the inside track at the #5 SP role and if he loses out on that he may be more likely to go to AAA to work there as a SP.  Beck has appeal as a swingman.  Bivens and Rodriguez both pitched well last season and are known quantities. But how can Peguero and his 101 MPH FB not make the team?  He gave up an inherited run today but if he continues to throw that cheese and get results, I think the braintrust is going to have a hard time leaving him off.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/12/2025: Giants 11 Guardians 2

Tyler Fitzgerald led a road lineup to a runaway Cactus League win over the Guardians in Goodyear, AZ.  Key Lines:

Heliot Ramos DH- 1 for 3, HBP.  BA= .250.  Heliot drove in a run with an oppo-field groundball single in his second AB.  He's had some nice plays but is still rounding into form after a late start.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 3 for 4, 3B.  BA= .304.  Fitz also got a late start and really broke out in this game.  Gants are hoping he can build on his rookie season last year after a move to 2B.  

Luis Matos RF- 2 for 4, SB(2).  BA= .359.  Matos is having a strong spring.  Seems more about keeping the line moving than selling out for power this spring.

Sam Huff C- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .300.  Huff continues to set the pace for the back up catcher role.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 3, BB, SB(1).  BA= .294.  Casey must have drawn a walk somewhere along the way. His OBP is now .003 higher than his BA.

Brett Wisely SS- 1 for 4, SB(1), 2 E.  BA= .286.  Wisely is having a pretty good spring but the utility IF is going to have to occasionally fill in at SS.

David Villar 1B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .241.  Nothing new to report on Villar's situation.  Still buried too far down on depth charts to have a realistic chance of making the team, but out of options.  Expect some action on the DFA/trade front as we approach Opening Day.

Jake Lamb PH/1B- 1 for 1, BB.  BA= .389.  I am not seeing how there is room for all four of Lamb, Flores, Encarnacion and LMWJ on the roster. Might come down to Lamb vs Encarnacion who is out of options.

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 3, 3B, BB.  BA= .333.  McCray is stating his case.  Of all the Giants OF's in camp he probably has the highest ceiling and is probably the best defensive CF.  Decision will probably come down to whether the Giants want his defense in back up role or whether they want him to play every day in AAA to get more seasoning.  Matos is in a similar situation but is not nearly the CF that McCray is.

Tristan Beck RHP- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  Beck retired 8 of the 9 batters he faced.  Melvin said he is probably more in line for a bullpen role.

Randy Rodriguez RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.38.  Another competitor for a bullpen slot. He does have an option.

Joey Lucchesi LHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Lucchesi has one of those conditional MLB contract options.  I would say he has a roster spot to lose which he has not done so far.  Showing he can go more than 1 inning helps.

Lou Trivino RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Trivino has a history of pitching very well for Bob Melvin in Oakland and we know BoMel likes his guys.   Gotta think he has the inside track for a roster spot too.

Robbie Ray LHP makes his third spring start tomorrow against the Rangers in Scottsdale.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/11/2025: Giants 5 A's 3

Justin Verlander pitched 5 strong innings and Max Stassi's 2-run homer in the 8'th inning was the difference in the game.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .333.  With 2 outs in the first inning, Lee hit one to the warning track in L-CF and it bounced up  and hit a tarp on the other side of the fence before caroming back onto the field.  Lee lost his helmet out of the batters box and was well on his way to a triple with his hair flying only to have to go back to 2B for a ground rule double.  I have a feeling Jung Hoo Lee running the basepaths with hair flying is going to quickly become a thing.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 3.  Giants batters hit 5 doubles and a HR but Chapman was the only one with two hits, both singles.  The first one drove in Lee from 2B in the first inning.

Wilmer Flores DH- 1 for 2, 2B, BB.  BA= .280.  Wilmer's double to CF in the first inning drove in Chapman.

Jake Lamb PH- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= .353.  Lamb started the winning rally with a double into the RF corner.  By that time it had started raining.

Max Stassi C- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .214.  Stassi followed Lamb's double with a homer over the R-CF fence by this time in driving rain.  Not sure what they were doing playing in the rain in a game that doesn't count.

Justin Verlander RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.45.  Not sure how many pitches Verlander threw but it was in the 65-70 range.  He made it look easy inducing a bunch of soft flyballs and pop-ups.  

Tyler Rogers RHP and Camilo Doval RHP had very quick scoreless innings.

Ryan Walker RHP got roughed up.  Joel Peguero RHP came in to finish Walker's inning and struck out the one batter he faced with a 101+ MPH fastball.  Peguero is making a compelling case to make the Opening Day roster and I am sure he did not hurt his chances but getting Walker out of the inning without losing the lead.

Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Miller came into a save situation and had to pitch through a strong rain.  He put the first two runners on base but got a GIDP and ground out to end the game.

Tristan Beck RHP starts a road game against the Guardians tomorrow, weather permitting. 

The Giants reassigned 5 players to minor league camp:  Sergio Alcantara IF, Justin Garza RHP, Adrian Sugastey C, Helcris Olivares and Antonio Jimenez LHP.(sfgiants.com says 6 players reassigned but I was only able to identify 5 names).

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/10/2025: Giants 8 Rockies 2

Grant McCray sparked the Giants road lineup to a big day in support of Logan Webb's third start of the spring.  Key Lines:

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(4).  BA= .346.  McCray got off to a slow start to the spring but has come on strong in recent games.  I would not count him out of an Opening Day roster spot as he bats lefthanded and is probably the best defensive CF in the organization.  On the other hand he probably could use some more seasoning at the plate in AAA.

Luis Matos LF- 1 for 4, SB(1).  BA- .324.  Speaking of roster spots, Matos is probably McCray's main competition. He's having a solid spring too.

Jake Lamb 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .313.  Also speaking of roster spots, Lamb was brought in on one of those conditional, non-guaranteed major league deals where it's officially a minor league deal but with a guaranteed major league salary above the minimum if he makes the Opening Day roster.  Those guys usually get picked up if they perform well in spring training.  If he does make the roster, it could make it less imperative for other reserve/utility guys to bat lefthanded.  Man!  This is getting complicated!  Buster and Melvin have their work cut out for them.

Jerar Encarnacion RF- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .344.  Another roster candidate who is having a good spring.  Melvin has said they are looking for better situational hitting.  Melvin and Buster already know he has light-tower power but delivering the Sac Fly might impress them more than a HR.

Victor Bericoto 1B- 1 for 1, 2B.  BA= .286.  Another minor league camp player who has done well in limited opportunities as a reserve in big league games.

Sam Huff C- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .313.  Huff would seem to have the inside track to be the backup catcher due to holding a 40-man roster spot assuming Tom Murphy C starts the season on the IL which seems almost certain after today's news.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 SF.  BA= .300.  The good news for Mighty Casey:  The coaching staff loves Sac Flies.  The Bad News:  The Sac Flies give him a lower OBP than BA.

Adrian Sugastey C- 1 for 1.  BA= .300.  Sugastey is in an interesting position.  He is probably the most advanced catching prospect in the system, although he struggled at the plate in AA Richmond last season.  He's in major league camp due to a catcher shortage after Tom Murphy came up injured.  What happens to Max Stassi C if Huff is the backup catcher?  I could see a scenario where Sugastey starts the season in AAA and is the first call up if the Giants have a need at the catcher position.

Logan Webb RHP- 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.79.  Webb threw 64 pitches.  He has a history of slow spring starts but has looked like he's in midseason form so far.

Sean Hjelle RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.60.  This was Hjelle's 5'th spring appearance. He's mostly looked good.  Melvin likes him.  Probable lock for a bullpen roster spot.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, 3/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.29.  Birdsong has looked pretty electric all spring.  Is he the new frontrunner for #5 SP?

Justin Verlander RHP makes his third spring start(he also threw a sim game in minor league camp) tomorrow afternoon(4:05 PM PDT) against the A's in Scottsdale. The game is televised on NBCSBA and MLBN.

Osleivis Basabe SS was optioned to minor league camp today.  Wade Meckler OF reportedly has a neck strain and is in a concussion protocol after coming down hard trying to catch a drive yesterday.  Tom Murphy C is scheduled to get a second epidural injection for his herniated disk.  He'll be re-evaluated in 2 weeks making it almost certain he'll start the season on the IL.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/9/2025: Giants 8 Cubs 6

A 5-run rally by the Giants "scrubs" in the 9'th inning overcame a rough start by Landen Roupp.  Key Lines:

Wade Meckler LF- 0 for 1.  BA= .263.  Meck got shaken up trying to make a leaping catch and walked off with the trainer.  No updates yet but he reportedly mouthed the words "OK" on his way out. 

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .250.  Fitz got a late start to spring but seems fine now.  Modest numbers so far.  Today was his first XBH.

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 1 for 3, HR(2).  Still hitting just .158 but with an OPS of .903.  Contact rate improved over last several games.

James Tibbs III RF- 0 for 1, BB.  BA= .000.  Tibbs didn't put the ball in play but had a couple of impressive PA's.  First time up he fell behind in the count but worked it back to 3-2, then got frozen on a FB on the outside corner that he took for strike 3.  Second time up he also worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a bunch of pitches and ended up drawing a walk on the 11'th pitch of the PA.  And he was facing lefties both times to boot.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 3, HR(3).  BA= .286.  Mighty Casey looks like his old self.  Decent average, power but 7 K's in 28 PA's and zero walks.  OBP= BA.  Gotta love the power, though.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 2, HR(1).  BA= .571.  OBP= .700.  OPS= 1.000.  Ceballos is not in major league camp but has done great in limited callups for extra players off the bench.  He hit very well after being acquired from the Braves in the Soler trade.  Rap on him has been lack of power but he hit for power after the trade and has the size for power potential.  I'm thinking he may be set up for a major breakout in 2025.

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 3, 2B(4).  BA= .381.  Christian Koss continues his excellent spring stating a case to be a utility IF.  Wisely and Schmitt have the advantage of already being on the 40-man roster and are having good springs themselves.  At age 27, Christian may not have that many chances left.  Hopefully he will get one sometime this year with the Giants or with another team.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .333.  Arteaga's leadoff HR in the 9'th started the 5-run rally.  He put a great looking swing on the ball, short and powerful.  He missed most of last season on the IL due to thoracic outlet surgery.  He needs a big season to get back his higher prospect rankings from before the injury.

Landen Roupp RHP- 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 5/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.75.  Roupp got knocked around by what's likely to be the Cubs Opening Day lineup.  He allowed runs in all 4 innings of work but the 4'th inning run was an inherited runner that Joey Lucchesi LHP allowed to score.  The hard contact is worrisome but the ratios look OK.

Tyler Rogers RHP allowed an additional run in the 5'th inning.  Tristan Beck RHP, Randy Rodriguez RHP, Trent Harris RHP and Kai-Wei Teng RHP each pitched a scoreless frame.