1. Albuquerque is still hitter's heaven and a pitcher's hell. The Sacramento River Cats split a 6 game series in Albuquerque this week while being outscored by a combined 61-48. That's an average of 8 runs per game by the 'Cats and over 10 for the Isotopes. Not sure how you can evaluate performance in that environment.
2. Kevin Padlo might be a dude. The Giants used an opening on the 40-man roster created by COVID IL's to acquire Kevin Padlo IF in a cash transaction with the Mariners. If that name sounds familiar, he was considered a top HS prospect in the 2014 draft and taken in the 5'th round by the Rockies. He was later traded to the Rays when the Rockies acquired Jake McGee LHP and German Marquez RHP. He was DFA'd last summer by the Rays and claimed off waivers by the Mariners. The Giants acquired him after he was DFA'd by the Mariners last week. BTW, the Giants are last in line for waiver claims so they are essentially paying cash to move to the head of the line.
Perhaps Padlo had the good fortune of re-starting his career with his new organization in one of the most hitter friendly parks in the minor leagues, but he made quite an entrance hitting a HR in his second game and 3 more in his fourth game on Sunday. Looking at his minor league career numbers he's a true outcomes guy with an approximately 15% walk rate and 25%+ K rate while averaging about 20 HR's per 600 PA's.
While the Giants like true outcomes, they also encourage their hitters to hunt first pitches. A tweak like that to Padlo's approach might be just what he needs to escape AAAA prison.
3. Frankie Tostado is raking. AA Richmond is a tough place to hit, but Frankie Tostado 1B/OF does not seem impressed. He went 11 for 23 on the week with 5 2B, HR. Tostado was a low round draft pick out of SoCal JC ball so rooting for him to make it. The name is enough to root for alone but he's making his statement on the field too.
4. Kyle Harrison is on fire! Kyle Harrison LHP stumbled a bit in his third start for the Eugene Emeralds on 4/22. He came roaring back by recording 11 of 12 outs by K's in a 4-inning start on 4/28. At age 20, he is on the young side for A+ ball and should be considered the Giants top pitching prospect at this time.
5. Will Bednar RHP is looking more like a first round draft pick. Low A is a very conservative placement for a first round draft pick out of a major college conference so when Bednar had a wild first start for the San Jose Giants on 4/9 it set off alarm bells. He has settled down since then and on 4/27 did exactly what a pitcher with his pedigree should to in Low A, he pitched 5 no-hit innings against the Modesto Nuts. He now has 19 K's in 16.2 IP over 4 starts. Interestingly his wildness is manifested more in HBP's than walks. He's walked a total of 5 batters which is 2.7/game, very acceptable, but he's also hit 7 batters including 5 in that first start. Not sure that that means. Maybe it means he's not afraid to pitch inside which might be a good thing?
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