Spring Training Game Wrap 3/2/2025: Giants 9 Angels 5

The Giants jumped out to an 8-0 lead behind a strong 3 innings from Robbie Ray and a bases-clearing double by Jerar Encarnacion and held on for the spring win.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr DH- 0 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .182.  Classic LMWJ PA to lead off the Giants half of the first inning.  He fell behind in the count 0-2 then drew a walk.  He's now drawn 6 walks in 17 PA with an OBP of .471.

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 3.  BA= .400.  Two sharp groundball singles through the right side lead to 2 runs scored.  Please stay healthy JHL!  Please!  

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .333.  Chapman has understandably played sparingly so far appearing in just 4 of 10 games with 12 PA's.  He probably only needs about 10 days to get ready for the season so he's playing just enough to stay sharp.

Luis Matos RF- 1 for 1, HR(1).  BA= .286.  In a statistical oddity, Matos becomes the 14'th Giants hitter to slug a home run this spring while none have hit their second yet.  If the season started tomorrow it seems like Matos would be the 4'th OF.

Jerar Encarnacion LF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .444.  Wow!  Is Jerar this year's Randy Elliott Award winner?  With the bases loaded, he went the other way with pitch on the outer-lower quadrant of the strike zone and hit an absolute rocket directly over the head of the RF that clanged off the wall.  He later hit a 2-run infield single.  

Robbie Ray LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Another strong start for Ray.  Last year's plan to have him boost the rotation after rehabbing from surgery got derailed, but he looks fully healthy and ready to roll this year.  Hopefully Tarik Skubal's private changeup lesson produces and ace level season.

The game understandably got ragged after the third inning.  Keaton Winn RHP and Lou Trivino RHP pitched scoreless frames but Tyler Rogers RHP, Camilo Doval RHP, Sean Hjelle RHP and Enny Romero LHP gave up runs.  I will say Hjelle was the victim of some bad BABIP luck as sinkerballers will at times.

The Giants have a free day tomorrow before making a bus trip to Peoria to play the Padres on Tuesday.  No starting pitcher named yet although it would be Jordan Hicks RHP turn.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/1/2025: Dodgers 6 Giants 5

The Giants travel squad came up just short against the Dodgers home lineup consisting of several veteran regulars.  Key Lines:

Wade Meckler CF- 1 for 2.  BA= .308.  Meck is 4 for 13, all singles.   Probably a good sign for him that he's getting innings in CF.

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .333.  I am getting excited to see what Lee can do over the course of healthy season.  I think some fans forget how much of an upgrade he can be over the Giants combined CF effort last season.

Jerar Encarnacion DH- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .400.  Still a long way to go in spring training but Jerar was already a betting favorite for a roster spot coming in. He has only enhanced with his play so far.

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .222.  Is there room for both Schmitt and Brett Wisely on the team?  If not, Wisely seems to be winning the competition for utility infielder but there is a long way to go.

Christian Koss SS- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .333.  Koss got the start at SS.  He is quietly having a strong spring.  Saw a photo of his young daughter giving the Dodgers a thumbs down.

Carson Seymour RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 5/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.50.  Seymour did what he does best, had the Dodgers killing worms.

Robbie Ray LHP makes his second spring start tomorrow agains the Angels in Scottsdale.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/28/2025: Giants 9 Brewers 2

The Giants brought their hitting shoes to Scottsdale Stadium and slugged four home runs in support of strong pitching from Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 2 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .222.  I think LMWJ must have heard us talking about his lack of contact yesterday.  He came out swinging today and made his first hit of the spring a home run.  He later drove in 2 runs with a single and scored ahead of Willy Adames 2-run single.  

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3.  BA= .455.  The early returns on Willy Adames are encouraging.  He stung his former team with a 2-run single in the 4'th inning.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB.  BA= .286.  Chappy seems to be about where we want him to be in the early spring.  His HR came after Patrick Bailey C drew a 2-out walk in the first inning.

Wilmer Flores DH- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB.  BA= .222.  If Wilmer stays healthy, a 1B platoon with LMWJ should be just fine.  His HR was B2B after Chapman's 2-run blast in the first inning.

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .200.  YtY got off to a slow start to spring games but added his name to the list of Giants who homered.  

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .500.  Fitz makes his first spring start after working through some back tightness.  

Logan Webb RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.80.  Webb gave up a solo HR but otherwise looked like he was in midseason form.

Kyle Harrison LHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Harrison makes his first appearance of the spring after getting a late start due to illness(flu?).  FB was reportedly 91-93 MPH.  He says he worked all offseason to strengthen the shoulder and it feels fine. He intends to ramp up his FB velocity through the spring.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.50.  

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.25.  Birdsong reportedly hit 98 MPH again with the FB.  Between Landen Roupp RHP, Harrison and Birdsong, the Giants young pitching appears to be in great shape.  Add in The Carsons and they may even be able to make a trade or two from a strength.

Nice win for the lads.  Carson Seymour RHP get the start tomorrow against the Dodgers in Glendale AZ.  Justin Verlander RHP will work a sim game so as to not be exposed to the Hated Ones in a meaningless game.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/27/2025: Giants 6 Mariners 4

Landen Roupp became the first Giants pitcher to complete 3 innings and dominated in a spring training win.  Key Lines:

Lamonte Wade Jr 1B- 0 for 0, 3 BB.  BA= .000.  LMWJ has 4 walks and 4 K's in 9 PA's which means he's put one ball in play.  I guess that's what you call a 2 true outcomes batter.   The primary job of the leadoff hitter is to get on base.  He's doing that, although it did not lead to any runs scored in this game.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 1.  BA= .750.  Ceballos is not even a non-roster invitee.  He's 3 for 4 on the spring.

Luis Matos RF- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .286.  The wind was blowing straight in from CF at 11 MPH.  I read that Matos hit it 108 MPH off the bat and it would have been a HR in 16 MLB parks.  Matos is quietly having a good early spring.

Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .500.  Wisely has a leg up on a utility IF job due to batting lefthanded.  His performance so far is not detracting from that.

David Villar 3B/1B- 1 for 1.  BA= .333. Villar is out of options and appears to have no chance of making the Opening Day roster.  He's played sparingly so far.  This was his second hit in 7 PA's.  Is there a team out there who is impressed enough to jump the waiver line and offer a trade?  I think Villar could have and Adam Duvallesque ceiling.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA- 0.00.  If Roupp is the placeholder for the #5 starter role, he's doing everything he can to grab that opportunity by the throat.  Wow!

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.00.  

Lou Trivino RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Trivino makes his first spring appearance.  His contingent MLB conract and past connection to Bob Melvin suggest a roster spot is his to lose.

Jake Lamb came out of the game after a base hit with a tight quad.

Logan Webb RHP makes his second spring against the Brewers tomorrow in Scottsdale.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/26/2025: Giants 4 Cubs 4

The Cubs scrubs scored 3 runs in the 8'th inning for a come-from-behind tie, the Giants second of the early spring.  Key Lines:

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 3, SB(1).  BA= .500.  Adames is 4 for 8 in the early spring, all singles. 

Jerar Encarnacion LF- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .455.  Encarnacion has 3 doubles out of his 5 hits.  Melvin came into camp mentioning Jerar as a player who impressed him last season.  His early spring performance reinforces that impression.

Wilmer Flores 1B- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .143.  Wilmer gets his first hit of the spring.  Main goal is to start the season healthy.

Casey Schmitt 2B- 1 for 3, HR(1)..  BA= .167.  Casey ran into one but 4 K's and 0 Walks in 12 AB's.  Gameday does not have pitch-by-pitch data in most of these spring game so hard to tell if Casey is being more selective at what he swings at.  The numbers will tell with a larger sample.

Jordan Hicks RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  Hicks makes his first spring start.  He loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning but got out of his with a shallow flyout and 2 K's.  He then struck out the first batter of the second inning and was done after 36 pitches.  He reportedly hit 100 MPH on at least one pitch.  Same old problem with pitch counts but since it was the first 3 batters we'll say it was first start jitters.  

Sean Hjelle RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Gotta wonder if Sean Hjelle found a new pitch over the winter.  He generally relies on getting a lot of groundball outs.  So far in 2 IP he's struck out the side twice.

Enny Romero LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Romero is my man for a lefty reliever role on the active roster.

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Doval has issued no walks in 2 1-inning appearances.

Landen Roupp RHP makes his second spring start tomorrow against the Mariners in a road game.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/25/2025: A's 7 Giants 5

Robbie Ray had a successful first spring start but a young lineup struggled and several pitchers got knocked around in a loss to the Giants former cross-bay rivals.  Key Lines:

Jerar Encarnacion 1B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .500.  Encarnacion entered spring training on Bob Melvin's radar and has done nothing to diminish that impression. 

Logan Porter C- 1 for 2, 2B.  BA= .200.  Porter is competing for the backup catcher role in the wake of Tom Murphy's back injury.  Sam Huff C went 0 for 2 with 2 K's as the starting catcher today.

Christian Koss PH/SS- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(1).  Koss is a guy who can play multiple IF positions.  He's tended to struggle at the plate.  Is he a sleeper to win a reserve IF spot on the roster?  Sergio Alcantara started the game at SS and went 1 for 2.  Osleivis Basabe started the game at 2B and went 1 for 3.

Bryce Eldridge DH- 0 for 3, BB, 3 K's.  BA= .286.  A dose of reality for Young Bryce.

Robbie Ray LHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  A healthy and effective Robbie Ray for a full season would be a huge upgrade to the rotation from last season.

Tristan Beck RHP- 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  Tough first spring appearance for Beck. He'll get more chances to win a long relief/spot starter role.  

Joey Lucchesi LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/AO.  Melvin says he is looking for a lefty reliever who can go multiple innings.  Lucchesi has a MLB contract conditional on him making the team which seems to signal he has the inside track for that role.

Jordan Hicks RHP gets the start tomorrow against the Cubs in Scottsdale which means the more of the projected starters will take the field behind him.

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/24/2025: Angels 7 Giants 4

Seems like the Giants play the Angels in Tempe early every spring and get knocked around every year.  Today was no different as Mason Black had a rough start to his spring.  Key Lines:

Marco Luciano LF- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .286.  The HR in the 4'th inning was a blast high off the batters eye in straightaway CF.  It looked like Luciano had a great look at the ball and got all of it.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 1, 2B.  Jordan was another kid up from minor league camp who got a chance to impress.  He doubled in the ninth with a runner on first to set up a 3-run rally.  

Carter Howell RF- 1 for 1.  Also up from minor league camp, Howell drove in a run with a bases-loaded single.  Two more runs scored on a HBP to Jakob Christian 1B and a groundout by Adrian Sugastey C.

Mason Black RHP- 1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  Rough start to the spring for Mason Black who was probably not at the top of the depth chart for for #5 SP coming in.  The big 3-run blast that cost him the most was off the bat of none other than Jorge Soler DH.  BTW, I am still scratching my head over Soler's time with the Giants.  What was that all about?

Trent Harris RHP- 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  Harris is a sleeper RP prospect.  He came into the first inning with one out and runners on 2'nd and 3'rd and got out of it.  Per spring rules, Black then went back out to start the second inning in which he gave up another run but got through the inning.

Carson Seymour RHP- 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 3/1.  3 of the 4 hits Seymour gave up were ground balls.  That's going to happen at times to guys who pitch to groundball contact.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 4/0.  On the other hand if you keep the ball on the ground with a strong defense behind you, you will win more than you lose.

Notes:  

As mentioned in a couple of comments after yesterday's Wrap and not to anyone's great surprise, Tom Murphy C was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his spine. He'll get an epidural injection and will likely start the season on the IL.  

Former Giants prospect, Alexander Canario OF, was traded from the Cubs to the Mets for cash after he was DFA'd over the weekend.

Robbie Ray LHP makes his first spring start tomorrow against the A's in Mesa, AZ.