Down on the Farm: 4/24/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats topped the Albuquerque Isotopes 4-3.

Grant McCray RF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .197.

Victor Bericoto DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .293

Turner Hill CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .389.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Dylan Smith RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

AA: Richmond Flying Squirrels outscored the Somerset Patriots 7-6.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB.  BA= .347.

Drew Cavanaugh PH- 1 for 1, HR(2).  BA= .350.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, SB(5).  BA= .297.

Jonah Cox CF/RF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(12).  BA= .415.

Trystan Vrieling- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Jack Choate LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.45.

We've had some questions about whether Scott Bandura is a legitimate prospect.  I've always thought he was and he has a great back story to boot.  He was the catcher for the Little League team that won the college World Series when Mo'Ne Davis pitched.  He father was the coach of the team.  Scott played college ball for Princeton and was drafted by the Giants in Round 7, 2023.  He batted .241 but with 6 HR an OBP of .364 in 79 AB for the SJ Giants in 2023.  Back in SJ to start the 2024 season, he batted .276/.389 in 105 AB before a midseason promotion to A+ Eugene where his BA slipped to .227 but with 6 HR and an OBP of .332 in 211 AB.  That is where his speed first showed up with 19 SB.  Back in Eugene to start 2025 his BA improved to .307 in 319 AB with 7 HR and 30 SB.  He got a later season promotion to AA where he struggled to a .199 BA.  It looks like he put that introduction to AA pitching to good use as he is off to a hot start.  He has a pattern of improving with experience at each level. If he continues the strong performance to midseason I could see him getting a promotion to AAA and being protected from the Rule 5 draft in November.  

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsboro Hops 9-4.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 5, 2 HR(4).  BA= .216.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .333.

Gavin Kilen SS- 3 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .282.

Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .273.

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Lisbel Diaz shows flashes of turning into a big time hitting prospect but has yet to find consistency.  Hopefully the start of a another hot stretch for Gavin Kilen.  

A:  Ontario Tower Buzzers strafed buzzed the San Jose Giants 7-3.

Jhonny Level DH- 2 for 3, BB, SB(6).  BA= .368.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .375.

Braydon Risley LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.38.

Mauricio Estrella RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.45.

Game Wrap 4/24/2026: Marlins 9 Giants 4

This one got away early as Adrian Houser gave up 8 runs in 4 innings of work and the lineup was not able to catch up.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 3 for 5, RBI.  BA= .320.  Arraez keeps hitting but the impact of singles hitters is limited by the batters around him in the lineup.  Arraez batted second and the #1, 3 and 4 went a combined 1 for 13.  If you add in the #5 batter, it was 2 for 17.

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 3 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .275.  Lee continues his hot hitting.  Can we please get him and Arraez batting closer together in the lineup?

Eric Haase C- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .333.  Once upon a time Haase was one of the more promising young power-hitting catchers.  He seems to be back healthy and hitting more like that version of him.

Adrian Houser RHP- 4 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 4/1 GO/AO).  ERA= 7.36.  Houser's early season struggles continue but not too surprising given his career history.  Note he has a career positive groundball tendency.  Thanks to Around the Foghorn for noting that Kruk thinks the ABS Challenge System has caused trouble with sinkerballers by giving batters a point of reference for laying off low pitches and forcing the pitchers to elevate into the strike zone.  This was in reference to Logan Webb's early season struggles.

The Loss drops the Giants record to 11-15. They fall 6.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 4 games out of the Wild Card race.

Robbie Ray LHP tries to be the Stopper this afternoon facing Eury Perez RHP.  

Down on the Farm: 4/23/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Albuquerque Isotopes 12-10.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 3 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .358.

Thomas Gavello SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .190.

Osleivis Basabe 2B- 2 for 4, 2B,  HR(1).  BA= .214.

Turner Hill CF- 3 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .333.

Carson Seymour RHP- 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.77.

....and just like that, Carson Seymour blows up the next guy up narrative.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 5-2.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 2, BB, HBP, SB(5).  BA= .352.

Maui Ahuna DH- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .283.

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), SB(11).  

Joe Whitman LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.68.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.89.

Mitch White RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.32.

Bo Davidson seems to have disappeared from the Squirrels lineup again. He last appeared in a game on 4/18.  He is not listed on the 7-day IL.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 3-1.

Trevor Cohen RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .235.

Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .260.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .338.

Niko Mazza RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.40.

Austin Strickland RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.52.

Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2).  ERA= 2.89.

A:  San Jose Giants beat the Ontario Tower Buzzers 9-6.

Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB(3).  BA= .242.

Junior Barajas C- 2 for 2, 2B, 3 BB.  BA= .302.

Cam Maldonado CF- 2 for 3, HR(7), 2 BB.  BA= .355.

Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 3 for 5.  BA= .364.

Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .302.

Argenis Cayama RHP- 5 IP, 6 h, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.06.

Garrett Langrell RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.08.

Dylan Carter RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save(1).  ERA= 4.00.

Argenis Cayama's composite line over his last 3 starts is 1-0, 1.29, 14 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 18 K.

Game Wrap 4/23/2026: Dodgers 3 Giants 0

Logan Webb RHP pitched a Quality Start but the Giants lineup was completely shut down by Tyler Glasnow RHP who limited the Giants to one hit and one walk(Luis Arraez had both).  There really isn't anything else to say about this game.  Oh, Dalton Rushing C is trying hard to become the latest in a long line of Dodger villains with Logan Webb deciding to play the role of straight man for no other reason than why-the-heck not?

This was the 5'th time the Giants lineup was shut out on the season.  The Giants have pitched 4 shutouts so it's not totally a one way street.

Down on the Farm: 4/22/2026

 AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes blanked the Sacramento River Cats 6-0.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .284.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP gave up 6 runs in 4.2 IP.  Sam Hentges LHP, Joel Peguero RHP, Tristan Beck RHP, Michael Fulmer RHP all threw a scoreless frame.

AA:  Somerset Patriots topped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-8.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .333.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 4, HR(4), BB.  BA= .269.

Drew Cavanaugh DH- 1 for 3, BB, 2 SB(2).  BA= .333.

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(10).  BA= .404.

Maui Ahuna SS- 1 for 4, BB, SF, SB(3).  BA= .268.

Will Bednar RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

Marco Luciano 2B(Patriots)- 2 for 3, HR(4), 2 BB, E(5).  BA= .346.

Patriots scored 6 runs over the final 3 innings to overcome an 8-3 Squirrels lead.  Marco Luciano is hitting well for the Patriots but continues to have defensive struggles.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsoboro Hops 6-3.

Dakota Jordan DH- 1 for 3, BB, SB(5).  BA= .328.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .214.

Zander Darby 1B- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .315.

Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(3), 2 BB, SB(6).  BA= .280.

Tyler Switalski LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.00.

Ryan Slater RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

Gerelmi Maldonado RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 3.60.

Will this be Walker Martin's breakout season?  Is Gerelmi Maldonado on the Closer track now?

A:  San Jose Giants quieted the Ontario Tower Buzzers 4-2.

Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 4, BB, SB(5).  BA= .383.

Junior Barajas DH- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .275.

Hayden Jatczak 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .262.

Jordan Gottesman LHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

Sam Bower RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.76.

Alix Hernandez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 4/22/2026: Giants 3 Dodgers 0

 The Giants got a great game from the unlikeliest sectors of their roster:  An absolute ****s to the wall pitching performance by Tyler Mahle, a 3-run home run by Patrick Bailey and multiple great defensive plays.  Key Lines:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 3, HR(1), R, 3 RBI.  BA= .155.  After Drew Gilbert CF sacrificed Jung Hoo Lee RF and Heliot Ramos LF to third and second bases respectively, I texted my friend and said, "what's the point of sacrificing the runners over when Patrick Bailey is due up?" Left unspoken was why after doing that would you not pinch-hit for Bailey?  Boom!  No sooner did I hit "Send" and Bailey made me look stupid.  A very wise manager named Earl Weaver once said baseball games are won by 3-run home runs and great pitching.  There was still work to be done but you had to feel pretty good about the game at that point.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 10/5 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.26.  Mahle outpitched perhaps the best all-around player to ever play the game, he is at least in the conversation, on two levels:  He matched zeros for 6 innings then did him one better by pitching a scoreless 7'th and he held The Great One hitless in 3 AB's at the top of the batting order.  There are a handful of random players in Giants history who will never be forgotten due to legendary performances against the Dodgers.  Brian Johnson immediately comes to mind.  Tyler Mahle may have joined that rank with this performance.  And I will take a small piece of credit for writing yesterday that this game looked like a mismatch.

Willy Adames SS, Luis Arraez 2B and Rafael Devers 1B made great stops on smoked baseballs to back up Mahle's pitching on the defensive side.

Devers had two hits and is batting .290 over his last 7 games.  Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and is batting .385 over his last 7 games, .308 over his last 15.  Ryan Walker RHP earned his second Save in as many games and the Giants may finally have a true Closer.

With the Win, the Giants gained a game on both the first place Dodgers and the Wild Card race, now trailing by 5 and 3 games respectively.  They are one game over .500 since the opening series of the season and 5-1 over their last 6 games.

Logan Webb RHP goes for the sweep this afternoon against Tyler Glasnow RHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/21/2026

AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes at Sacramento River Cats Postponed.  

This was the 4'th postponement or cancellation of a River Cats game already this season.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 8-5.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .328.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .271.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB, Sac, SB(3).  BA= .257.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .241.

Tyler Vogel RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(5).  ERA= 0.00. 

Jacob Lombard Jr SS(Patriots)- 2 for 3, HR(4), BB.  BA= .382.

We're not used to seeing the Squirrels win games by outhitting and outscoring opponenents.  George Lombard Jr is a former first round draft pick by the Yankees.  His younger brother, Jacob is a potential first round pick by the Giants at #4 overall in the upcoming draft.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 5-3.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .328.

Trevor Cohen DH- 1 for 4, BB, SB(10).  BA= .233.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .205.

Charlie McDaniel LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, 5/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.82.

Cade Vernon RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.27.

Ben Peterson RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.25.

For people who have high hopes for Dakota Jordan, he is not disappointing so far.

A:  San Jose Giants blasted the Ontario Tower Buzzers 12-2.

Cam Maldonado RF- 3 for 4, 2B, SF, 2 SB(6).  BA= .345.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 BB.  BA= .321.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .246.

Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 2 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .343.

Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 4, BB, SB(6).  BA= .327.

Keyner Martinez RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Jose T. Perez RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.14.

Cam Maldonado is suddenly the hottest player in the Giants farm system.  7'th round draft pick last year.  Reminder A ball is a conservative placement for a draft pick out of college ball.