AAA: Sacramento River Cats topped the Salt Lake City Bees 4-3.
Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 3 for 3, 2 2B, 3B, 2 BB, SB(3). BA= .326.
Will Wilson 2B- 2 for 4, HR(3). BA= .205.
Sean Hjelle RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO= 8/1. ERA= 0.90.
Drew Strotman RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 5.59.
I would like to see Sean Hjelle get another shot at the MLB level as a SP. None of this bulk-innings or versatility BS. Put him out there as a SP.
AA: Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Erie Seawolves 7-3.
Luis Matos RF- 4 for 4, 2B, HR(3), BB. BA= .304.
Marco Luciano SS- 1 for 5, HR(2). BA= .114.
Nick Zwack LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 6.17.
Parker Dunshee RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.62.
The Matos and Luciano HR's came B2B.
A+: Eugene Emeralds outscored the Tri-City Dust Devils 12-5.
Wade Meckler LF- 4 for 5, HR(2). BA= .456.
Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 5, HR(7). BA= .321.
Jimmy Glowenke 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .410.
Max Wright C- 2 for 4, 2B, SF. BA= .200.
Ghordy Santos 2B- 2 for 5, 2B. BA= .189.
Gotta think we'll see promos for Meckler and Bericoto at some point but there are only so many roster spots at the higher levels.
A: San Jose Giants outlasted the Lake Elsinore Storm 6-5(10 innings).
Diego Velasquez 2B- 2 for 4, Sac. BA= .318.
Jack Choate LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 1.80.
Luke Jackson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Daniel Blair RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 2.16.
Seems like Luciano has been around for a long time, but he's still just 21 yo and at Richmond he is nearly 3 years younger than the average age.
ReplyDeleteAnd Ramos who we kinda think is yesterdays news is nearly 4 years younger than the average age at Sacramento.
Maybe they will, maybe they won't be major leaguers but who's to say realistically at this point?
Ramos hasn't really hit since reaching AA, and is more of a corner outfielder.now. So while he's in AAA, I see him as 2 development jumps away rather than one. I'd say he's not even a AAAA type yet, and is hanging on the fringes due to his draft status.
DeleteI know you just mentioned him, Doc … but I’ve been a skeptic. Now, I’m starting to wonder if Fitzgerald really seem ready for a shot at the big club, possibly this season?
ReplyDeleteFitzgerald is putting himself into an interesting position. I think a lot would have to happen for him to get promoted to the Giants this season but it's not beyond the realm of possibility. If the Giants don't turn things around very soon, the trade deadline could get very inneresting.
DeleteHow about a Brandon Crawford Day at Oracle, retire him, and make him the SS coach?
DeleteI've been following Luis Matos this year and he's had a good season so far in AA. He's really improved his approach at the plate being more selective drawing more walks then strikeouts and put up good numbers, although still a small sample size. Maybe you should temper my excitement a little, but if he continues to hit for another month+ maybe he gets called up to AAA and maybe he gets a September callup. Too optimistic?
ReplyDeleteI think a September callup for Matos is quite possible.
DeleteI don't think you're not too optimistic. There were two major criticisms of him coming out of 2022:
DeleteThe first was that he such a good eye that he had no discipline and swung at everything because he could usually put it in play. So far it seems to be working and he's drawn 17BB in 133PAs, which puts him on pace to, pretty much, double his walk-rate (12.8% vs 6.6%)
The second one was too much wasted motion in his swing which let the more advanced AA pitchers take advantage of him. He has also corrected that, which has helped him drop his K-rate (just 9% in 2023 vs 12.5% in the past).
So, yes, obviously small sample. But he has rare tools and if develops the technique to harness them, he has MLB potential.
Also, part of last year's problem was he had a quad injury that lingered.
After a surfeit of talent for years, we do seem to have a far better minor league system.
ReplyDeleteFitzgerald's Helium is a hell of a surprise at SS, especially after the horrific start in the batter's box he had in his 2022 season. FWIW, you're not the only to notice him, DB. He's getting some helium after hitting .324 in Richmond and continuing that on at Sacramento. And I'll be blunt - even though the romantic in me wants Crawford to finish as a Giant, he's been so bad that he's actively hurting the club and I wish they'd just buy-out his contract move on. I'd rather see Fitzgerald or Wisley up and find out one-way or another if they can do it.
That may not be a popular opinion, but when it comes to winning, I'm not a romantic and holding onto fan favorite players who can't do it any longer doesn't put butts in the seat. Winning puts butts in the seats and this team, but for the fluke-2021 season, hasn't done that in years.
It's becoming painful to watch Crawford. When age catches up with players it's not always a slow decline. Crawford looks like he's hit a wall. I'm thinking if it gets so bad the Giants are sellers he may decide he doesn't need it anymore.
DeleteA possible good (?) thing that could come from this horrific start: what does a team that's spending money but not getting results do?
DeleteFire the manager!
Drinks 'round for that!
You can spend all the money in baseball. But if your three biggest contracts aren't producing, you aren't winning. In our case, 6 of the top-10 contracts are not coming close to earning their pay -- [Player (% of payroll)] Pederson (10.71%), Conforto (9.81), Crawford (8.72), Haniger (3.81), Manaea (5.45), Stripling (5.45).
DeleteThat's 43.95% of the club's payroll is not performing to their contract levels through either injury or just sucking. Conforto, at least, seems to be coming around so there is hope there. And I should expect Haniger to, eventually, get it together. I am less sold on Pederson, Crawford, Manaea getting it together. That leaves Stripling, and I am very unsure about Stripling as I thought he'd come in and be very solid based on his last two years in Toronto, and he's anything but.
Also, FWIW, we're 12th in payroll at $183 million. Top-5 clubs, like we used to roll, are in the $240+ million range with Mets spending $346 million.
Coming in under the radar - a Luke Jackson appearance in minor league ball. :) APGiantsfan
ReplyDeleteHjelle should get a shot at the starting job, this bullpen game isn't working!
ReplyDelete