Down on the Farm: 7/7/2025

Full Season Leagues had their standard Monday off.

Rookie ACL:  Giants clobbered the Brewers 9-4.

Jhonny Level SS(18 yo)- 1 for 4, 3B, BB, SB(14). BA= .308.

Dario Reynoso 3B(19 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(7), 2 BB, SB(15).  BA= .295.

Santiago Camacho C(18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2 HR(3).  BA= .216.

Javier Francisco DH(22 yo)- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .205.

Oliver Tejada RF(18 yo)- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .208.

Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 9.00.

Jose T. Perez RHP(21 yo)- 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 6.39.

Although Jhonny Level is the star for the ACL Giants, don't sleep on Dario Reynoso who I also like a lot.  He had a tougher adjustment to ACL ball last season but he's come on strong this year with a terrific power, patience and speed package.  I'd like to see him get a head start on A ball before the end of the season.

DSL:  Blue Jays Blue edged out Giants Orange 1-0(7 innings).

Yulian Barreto 2B(17 yo)- 2 for 3, SB(8).  BA= .321.

Jose D. Gonzalez RHP(19 yo)- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.99.

DSL:  Mets Orange defeated Giants Black 5-3(7 innings).

Albert Jimenez DH(18 yo)- 1 for 2, HR(3), BB.  BA= .225.

Game Wrap 7/7/2025: Giants 3 Phillies 1

The Giants scratched out three runs while Landen Roupp and the bullpen held down a tough Phillies lineup to take the all-important first game of the series.  Key Lines:

Matt Chapman 3B- 3 for 4, 2B, 2 R.  BA= .248.  Chapman went 0 for 4 in his first game back from the IL but did not show any signs of residual hand issues tonight with 3 hits which helped him score 2 of the Giants 3 runs.  It's definitely a longer, better lineup with Chapman in it.

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, 2B, HBP, R.  BA= .227.  It's a whole different lineup when Willy Adames is contributing and he's definitely contributing right now, including ways that he may not prefer.  Adames led off the 8'th inning with a HBP on another heat-seeker that got away from Orion Kerkering RHP.  That was obviously not a purpose pitch but he was trying to jam Adames up and in.  After an oppo-field single by Chapman put runners at the corners, Wilmer Flores stepped up.  As Kruk pointed out, 2B was open and with Schmitt, Lee and Matos coming up, Kerkering appeared to be pitching around Flores when the count went to 3-1.  Then next pitch drilled Flores and looked to me like it was thrown right at him.  Kerkering slammed the rosin back in disgust but you have to wonder how disgusted he really was.  Whatever the case, the Giants made Kerkering pay as they plated the two winning runs out of it on a pair of fielder's choices.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K's, 7/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.39.  Roupp keeps building his resume.  He faced one of the better lineups in the league as well as a hot opposing SP and didn't flinch.  He kept the Phillies batters off-balance all evening with a 3-pitch mix any of which he threw on any count.  It's an inning short of a Quality Start but we'll say it was a near-Quality Start.  How's that?  The Giants have won 11 of his 18 starts on the season.

Bullpen- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  Doval recorded his 14'th Save.  He walked the first batter he faced on 4 pitches which is almost obligatory for him.  Then TJ Realmuto gave him an extended AB fouling off numerous pitches.  At times it appeared Realmuto was toying with Doval with prolonging the AB more of a goal than, you know, getting on base.  Casey Schmitt took care of that nonsense with a leaping catch of a soft liner at 2B.  Bryson Stott then GIDP'd with Wilmer Flores making a nifty play at 1B, stepping on the bag for out #1 then throwing out the runner with feet to spare for the game-ender.

All-Star Robbie Ray LHP tries to clinch a series win tomorrow evening against Taijuan Walker RHP who comes in with a 3.64 ERA.

Down on the Farm: 7/6/2025

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outlasted the Reno Aces 15-13(11 innings).

Wade Meckler RF- 4 for 6, 2B, BB, SB(6).  BA= .292.

Casey Schmitt 2B- 0 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .154.

Thomas Gavello 2B- 1 for 2, HR(1), SF.  BA= .500. 

Daniel Johnson DH- 2 for 6.  BA= .283.

Marco Luciano LF- 3 for 5, 2B, 2 HR(16), BB.  BA= .229.

Osleivis Basabe SS- 1 for 4, HR(6), SF, HBP.  BA= .255.

Zach Morgan C- 2 for 6, 2B.  BA= .263.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.85.

Braxton Roxby RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Huge game for Luciano.  Can we have more of those?  Weird game.  16 of the 28 runs were scored in extra-innings and 21 of the 28 were scored from the 9'th inning on as the pitching completely collapsed.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels destroyed the Chesapeake Baysox 12-2.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 1 for 3, BB, SF.  BA= .264.

Carter Howell DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .202.

Turner Hill LF- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .214.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .185.

Onil Perez C- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .259.

Vaun Brown CF- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(11).  BA= .254.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(4), BB.  BA= .196.

Jack Choate LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.02.

Michael Stryfeller RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.13.

Signs of life from Vaun Brown and Aeverson Arteaga.  

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsboro Hops 7-4.

Scott Bandura RF- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .317.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .356.

Dayson Croes 3B- 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 BB. BA= .347.

Jose Ramos SS- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, SB(4).  BA= .267.

Dylan Carmouche LHP- 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.63.

A:  San Jose Giants topped the Stockton Ports 6-5.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .303.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .268.

Walker Martin SS- 3 for 4, BB. BA= .239.

Zander Darby 3B- 2 for 3, HR(4), BB.  BA= .307.

Darien Smith RHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.59.

Ricardo Estrada LHP- 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.38.

Game Wrap 7/6/2025: Giants 6 A's 2

 A 2-out, 2-run double by Luis Matos in the 5'th inning broke open a close game and gave Hayden Birdsong enough run support to overcome shaky control.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 5, HBP, R.  BA= .265.  Devers joined the parade of Giants hitters getting plunked.  The Giants had two singles, HBP and a walk to get just one run in the first inning.

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, HR(11), 2 BB, 3 RBI.  BA= .226.  A solo HR and two bases-loaded walks netted 3 RBI's for Adames.  

Luis Matos CF- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .176.  Reliever JT Ginn RHP was riding the outside corner with a 2-seasm/slider combo and getting some generous calls from the ump.  Matos went up there with a perfect oppo-field plan and drove a ground-rule double over the R-CF wall to increase the Giants lead to 5-1.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .227.  Signs of life from Fitz bat for an insurance run in the 8'th.  Giants need him to hit a few HR's in the second half.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.11.  Birdsong had himself on the ropes multiple times as he completely lost location several times.  He made just enough good pitches to work himself out of the jams and get through 5 innings with just 1 run allowed.  

Camilo Doval RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.18.  Non-save situation.  Tyler Soderstrom slapped a double down LF line to open the 9'th.  Max Muncy(no, not that one) grounded out but the next two batters walked to load the bases.  A ground out scored one run but got the all-important second out and the next batter got the game-ending ground-out.  

Spencer Bivens RHP(3.09, All-Star Randy Rodriguez RHP(0.69) and Tyler Rogers RHP(1.66) each pitched a scoreless inning.

The Giants drive down I-80 to start the final homestand of the official first half with Landen Roupp RHP facing a very tough opponent in the Phillies with Christopher Sanchez LHP a 6' 6" lefty who comes in with a 2.68 ERA, 1.93 over his last 7 starts.  

Down on the Farm: 7/5/2025

AAA: Sacramento River Cats downed the Reno Aces 8-4.

Casey Schmitt 2B- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .182.

Drew Ellis 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .214.

Daniel Johnson RF- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(6).  BA= .280.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Great to see Schmitt start his rehab which should be short.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels edged out the Chesapeake Baysox 3-2.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 3, HR(8).  BA= .224.

Manuel Mercedes RHP- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 7.36.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds buried the Hillsboro Hops 10-5.

Scott Bandura 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .317.

Dayson Croes 3B- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA- .337.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .233.

Dayson Croes is out of Quincy University in Illinois, a NCAA Div II school, and 2 years of Indy ball.  He's hit in the .330 range everywhere he's played including summer leagues.  Someone to keep an eye on.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Stockton Ports 11-8.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 5, SB(9).  BA= .269.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .266.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(27).  BA= .301.

Robert Hipwell DH- 1 for 3, HR(8), BB.  BA= .246.

Chris Wright LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Wright moves up to A level to continue his rehab assignment.

Rookie ACL:  Giants squeaked out a win over the Padres 2-1.

Jhonny Level SS(18 yo)- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .309.

Dario Reynoso 3B(19 yo)- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .295.

Javier Francisco 1B(22 yo)- 2 for 4.  BA= .200.

Andy Polanco CF(20 yo)- 1 for 1, 2 BB.  BA= .287.

Keyner Martinez RHP(20 yo)- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.15.

DSL:  Giants Black outslugged Arizona Black 17-14(8 innings).

Keibert Camacaro SS(18 yo)- 1 for 4, HR(1), 2 BB, SB(7).  BA= .196.

Evan Estevez 1B(17 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(3), 3 BB.  BA= .304.

Yohendry Sanchez DH(18 yo)- 2 for 5, 2B, SF.  BA= .250.

Yeison Oviedo PH/2B(17 yo)- 2 for 2, 2B, BB.  BA= .294.

Dennys Riera 3B/P(20 yo)- 2 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .275.

Alessandro Duran C(20 yo)- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, SF.  BA= .235.

Yoxander Benitez LF(18 yo)- 2 for 5.  BA= .300.

Miguel Blanco CF(19 yo)- 1 for 4, BB, 2 SB(6).  BA= .196.

Evan Estevez is an interesting prospect. He's only 17 yo but has a full season of pro experience under his belt. He batted .290 last season and I thought he might be assigned to ACL this year but maybe he has to be 18 yo to work in the states?  

DSL:  Mariners beat Giants Orange 8-1.

Djean Macares CF(17 yo)- 1 for 3, BB, SB(6).  BA= .243.

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

This game was much like a mirror image of Friday's debacle as the Giants took advantage of early wildness by Luis Severino RHP and added on from there in support of Logan Webb's Quality Start.  Key Lines:

Heliot Ramos LF- 1 for 4, HR(14), HBP.  BA= .274.   Ramos was not happy when a heat seeker caught him on the back of the hand in the first inning.  Fortunately it glanced off a backhand pad which enabled Ramos to give payback the right way in the 5'th with a solo HR to straightaway CF.  This is Heliot Ramos' 11'th HBP on the season which places him #7 in MLB.  There has been a lot of talk about how many times Giants batters have been hit.  They are collectively at 37 which places the team at #12 in MLB.

Willy Adames SS- 3 for 5, 4 RBI.  BA= .225.  Adames came through with a 2-out, 2-run single in the first inning to keep the Giants from squandering the runners Severino gave them.  The sequence went walk, HBP, Force at 2B, HBP, Force at home, single by Adames. And just like that the Giants had a 2-0 lead and never looked back.

Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 4, 2 RBI.  BA- .229.  Wisely got the start at 2B with Chapman back from the IL at 3B.  Wisely did a nice job of standing in the gap during an outbreak of IF injuries and looks like he'll be rewarded with some playing time at 2B.  

Logan Webb RHP- 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's, 8/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.62.  Typical Quality Start by Webb, his 8'th in a row, 15'th on the season.  This time he got run support.  

Hayden Birdsong RHP tries to get his season back on track and a series win for the Giants tonight facing former Giants farmhand Jacob Lopez LHP who comes in with an ERA of 3.88.

Down on the Farm: 7/4/2015

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Reno Aces 9-6.

Wade Meckler RF- 2 for 4, 2 BB.  BA= .281.

Matt Chapman 3B- 0 for 3, BB.  BA= .000.

Grant McCray CF- 3 for 5, 3B, SB(21).  BA= .262.

Hunter Bishop DH- 2 for 5, 3B.  BA= .256.

Osleivis Basabe SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, HBP.  BA= .261.

Thomas Gavello 2B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .286.

Braxton Roxby RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Ryan Watson RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(4).  ERA= 3.96.

Meckler, McCray and Bishop are all on sustained runs of good hitting.  Any of those three could be considered for a call up if a need arises.  McCray and Meckler have the advantage of being on the 40-man roster.  Bishop is, of course, a former first round draft pick.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Chesapeake Baysox 6-1.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 0 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .268.

Carter Howell CF- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, HBP.  BA= .196.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .218.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 2 for 5, HR(3).  BA= .183.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .193.

John Bertrand LHP- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.55.

Rough year for bats in Richmond as always.  Even  Velasquez' BA is starting to slip and he is the only batter in the lineup with a BA greater than .224.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 11-9.

Jonah Cox LF- 2 for 6.  BA= .248.

Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 5, HR(10), BB.  BA= .316.

Charlie Szykowny 1B- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .252.

Zane Zielinski SS- 1 for 3, 2 BB,  2 SB(22).  BA= .222.

Dayson Croes DH- 3 for 5.  BA= .322.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .230.

A:  San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports 10-8.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, BB, SB(8).  BA- .262.

Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .234.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 4 for 5, 2B, 2 SB(14).  BA= .263.

Robert Hipwell 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, 3B, 2 BB.  BA= .245.

Jacob Bresnahan LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 9 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.16.

Good day for a many hitting prospects in the system.  Lisbel Diaz is on an 8-game tear in which he is 17 for 37 with 4 2B, 3 HR.

Rookie ACL:  D'Backs stung the Giants 7-4.

Jhonny Level SS(18 yo)- 3 for 4, 2B, 2 3B, BB.  BA= .309.

Dario Reynoso 3B(19 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(5), 2 BB.  BA= .294.

Oliver Tejada RF(18 yo)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .206.

Nien Hsi Yang RHP(18 yo)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Alexander Fuentes RHP(20 yo)- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 2.70.

Nien-Hsi Yang makes his pro debut!  Good looking young pitcher from Taiwan.  I'll be looking for a Jhonny Level promotion after the draft. And don't sleep on Alex Fuentes, a huge pitcher at 6' 7", 240 lbs.

DSL:  Giants Black pounded the Angels 9-4.

Josuar Gonzalez SS(17 yo)- 0 for 3, 2 BB, SB(15).  BA= .274.

Evan Estevez 1B(17 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(2), BB.  BA= .303.

Dilan Fernandez RHP(20 yo)- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Jose De La Rosa RHP(17 yo)- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.25.

DSL:  Mariners blanked Giants Orange 3-0.

Anthony Marquez SS(18 yo)- 1 for 2, 2 BB. BA= .240.

Jose Trevizo RHP(17 yo)- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.38.

Game Wrap 7/4/2025: A's 11 Giants 2

 The Giants continued a signature trend from the last several seasons in which they follow a convincing win where they seem to put it all together with.......a faceplant!  Justin Verlander's start imploded early and the lineup never found traction against JP Sears LHP as this one quickly devolved into a blowout.  Key Lines:

Justin Verlander RHP- 3 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.84.  I have to confess I didn't watch the game so can't comment on what Verlander's stuff looked like in this particularly game but 5 K's and 1 BB in 3 IP suggests it's not a "stuff" problem.  What I've seen all season is a command problem.  When he throws secondary pitches out of the zone to try to put hitters away they end up so far out of the zone they are easy takes and too many fastballs are too far inside the zone and are basically T-balls.  I also wonder about pitch tipping.  At any rate, his previous start against the White Sox was one of his best of the season and this might have been his worst so we'll see what next start looks like.  

Brett Wisely 3B hit a solo HR in the 8'th inning mop-up time.  Luis Matos RF(.175), Rafael Devers DH(.261) and Dom Smith 1B(.254) hit doubles.  The lineup had 6 hits total and 2 walks against 11 K's.  

Logan Webb RHP tries to even the series tonight but he has a tough opponent in Luis Severino RHP who comes in with a 5.09 ERA.

Down on the Farm: 7/3/2025

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outslugged the Reno Aces 15-9.

Osleivis Basabe SS- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(5), BB.  BA= .256.

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(20).  BA= .257.

Marco Luciano LF- 2 for 2, HR(14), 3 BB.  BA= .225.

Hunter Bishop DH- 1 for 2, 2 BB, Sac, SB(9).  BA= .252.

Zach Morgan C- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .320.

Matt Gage LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

It's been quite a journey for Matt Gage since we last followed him Down on the Farm in 2018.  Many organizations, many levels, Mexican League.  And it's not because he hasn't pitched well when given an opportunity.  In a total of 24 MLB appearances his composite line is 2-1, 1.62, 33.1 IP, 11 BB, 23 K.  He's 32 years old now and guess who can use some lefthanded pitching depth?  Welcome back, Matt Gage!  BTW, Sergio Alcantara IF was selected by the Giants and added to the 40 man roster. Daniel Johnson OF was optioned to AAA Sacramento and Logan Porter C was DFA'd.  Wade Meckler?  He remains on the 40-man roster assigned to AAA Sacramento.

AA:  Chesapeake Baysox edged out the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-4.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .212.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .178.

Turner Hill LF- 1 for 2, 3B, BB, HBP.  BA= 210.

Joe Whitman LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.48.

Evan Gates RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.61.

Disappointing season for Sabin Ceballos who hit the Eastern League Wall after making some noise in spring training.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds squeaked past the Hillsboro Hops 2-1.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(28).  BA= .317.

Bo Davidson CF- 1 for 3, 3B, BB.  BA= .315.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.73.

Brayan Palencia RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.17.

Ben Peterson RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

The Scott and Bo Show keeps rolling in Eugene. Scott Bandura and Bo Davidson, are those two great baseball names or what?

A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Stockton Ports 5-2.

Walker Martin 3B- 3 for 4, BB.  BA= .231.

Lisbel Diaz CF- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .254.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .205.

Zander Darby 2B- 2 for 4, SB(9).  BA= .301.

Charlie McDaniel LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.38.

Rookie ACL:  D'Backs topped the Giants 3-2(7 innings).

Jhonny Level DH(18 yo)- 2 for 3, BB, 2 SB(13).  BA= .297.

Oliver Tejada RF(18 yo)- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .203.

Luis De La Torre LHP(21 yo)- 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.72.

DSL:  Giants Orange beat Cubs Red 6-2.

Carlos Concepcion RF(19 yo)- 2 for 4, 3B, HR(1).  BA= .271.

Elkyns Villareal RHP(18 yo)- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's, 5/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.50.

Omar Calcurian RHP(20 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 6/3 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.98.

DSL:  D'Backs Red topped Giants Black 3-2.

Yosneiker Rivas 2B(19 yo)- 2 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .356.

Luis Frias CF(20 yo)- 2 for 3, 2B, ,SB(7).  BA= .298.

Brayan Narvaez RHP(20 yo)- 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.33.

Alfonso Perez RHP(19 yo)- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.00.

Game Wrap 7/3/2025: Giants 7 D'Backs 2

The Giants looked like a completely different team than the one that arrived in Phoenix, AZ on Monday as they gained a split of the 4-game series with an emphatic win.  Key Lines:

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 3 for 5, R.  BA= .250.   Still not great to have your leadoff batter reach base 3 times and score just one run.

Willy Adames SS- 3 for 4, 2 2B, BB, 3 R, RBI.  BA= .218.  Adames is batting .286 over his last 15 games and his swing is starting to look better. 

Rafael Devers DH- 1 for 3, BB, SF, R, 3 RBI.  BA= .260.  Devers also looked like he wasn't trying to wing the game all by himself with better results.

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI.  BA= .277.  There was a situation where Devers was at the plate with 2 outs and runners at 2'nd and 3'rd.  That might be situation where a RHP might pitch around him with the open base but Heliot was on deck and already had two hits.  Devers got a pitch to hit and delivered a 2-run single past a diving first baseman.  I know SABR types scoff and the idea of lineup protection but that would seem to be an example.

Andrew Knizner C- 2 for 4, 2 R.  BA= .152.  Knizner has 3 hits in his last 9 AB's over 3 games.

Robbie Ray LHP- 9 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 12/6 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.68.  Ray took full advantage of the lineup support, pounded the strike zone, kept his pitch count down and delivered a complete game giving the entire bullpen the night off. Spencer Bivens got up in the 9'th after Marte's HR but he did not need to come in as Ray closed it out himself. Ray might have labored just a bit in the 9'th but up until then barely broke a sweat.

It will be a happy flight back to the Bay Area tonight.  Not sure what the travel arrangement are for a weekend series in Sacramento but I would hope everybody gets to sleep at home tonight.

Justin Verlander RHP starts tomorrow night facing JP Sears LHP who comes in with a 5.08 ERA but word is the Sutter Health Field is playing quite hitter-friendly at the MLB level.

Down on the Farm: 7/2/2015

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats downed the Reno Aces 3-1.

Wade Meckler LF- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .277.

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 2, BB, SF, SB)18).  BA= .254.

Hunter Bishop RF- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .250.

Devin Mann 3B- 1 for 2, HR(2), BB.  BA= .231.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K's.  ERA= 4.54.

Has Kai-Wei Teng found a new pitch or something?  His composite pitching line over his last two appearances:  9 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 19 K.  

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Chesapeake Baysox 6-4(completion of suspended game from 7/1).

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 3 for 4.  BA= .191.

Jack Choate LHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.20.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.42.

Tyler Myrick RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.11.

AA:  Chesapeake Baysox shut out the Richmond Flying Squirrels 3-0(7 innings).

Seth Lonsway LHP- 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.58.

Will Bednar RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.46.

Marques Johnson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Keeping an eye on former first round draft pick Will Bednar who now has 5 consecutive scoreless appearances:  7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 14 K.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds blasted the Hillsboro Hops 10-2.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 5, SB(27).  BA= .314.

Jonah Cox LF- 2 for 3, 3B, BB, Sac.  BA= .250.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 0 for 3, 2 BB, SB(2).  BA= .368.

Dayson Croes 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .321.

Quinn McDaniel 2B- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .229.

Luke Shliger DH- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .240.

Cesar Perdomo LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.19.

Perdomo's last 3 starts:  17 IP, 11 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 13 K's.  

A: Stockton Ports outscored the San Jose Giants 8-6.

Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4, 3B, BB, SB(11).  BA= .291.

Maui Ahuna SS- 3 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(7).  BA= .263.

Zander Darby 3B- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .295.

Rayner Arias got called up from Arizona and Carlos Gutierrez went missing from the lineups but I don't see any transactions involving Gutierrez.  

Rookie ACL:  Dodgers edged out the Giants 2-1.

Argenis Cayama RHP(18 yo)- 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 5/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.99.

Chris Wright LHP(rehab)- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 9.00.

Melvin Pineda RHP(21 yo)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.

Fernando Vasquez RHP(23 yo)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.93.

DSL Giants teams were idle.

Game Wrap 7/2/2025: Giants 6 D'Backs 5(10 innings)

The Giants overcame a 2-run blown save by Camilo Doval to come back and win the 10'th.  Key Lines:

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 5, HR(8).  BA= .243.  Merrill Kelly RHP has been a Giants nemesis his whole career, but Kelly likes to throw strikes early in the count and force batters to chase out of the zone late.  YtY set the tone by attacking the first two pitches he saw and homered on the second one to give the Giants an immediate 60% chance of winning the game.

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 3 for 5, 2B, 3B, 2 R, RBI.  BA= .246.  Jung Hoo came back with more energy after a day off.  In the first inning and after a 2-out walk to Wilmer Flores 1B/3B, Lee was first pitch hunting and drove one off the R-CF wall for RBI triple.  He came up on the 9'th with a shot at a cycle but flied out to RF well inside the warning track.  Maybe a day off here and there should be the plan for JHL going forward?

Brett Wisely 3B/2B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .192.  Wisely had a nice night at the plate and added a couple of slick plays in the field.

Landen Roupp RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.48.  Roupp pitched 4 shutout innings although he allowed a couple of baserunners in the 4'th.  He gave up a leadoff HR to Alek Thomas, who is turning into a Giants killer, leading off the 5'th then walked the next two batters.  A single by Marte loaded the bases and Melvin went to Erik Miller LHP.  Miller went K, SF, K to limit the damage to just 1 run.

Camilo Doval RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, BS(4), W(4-2).  ERA= 3.03.  You can't really call Doval's 9'th inning torture because it happened so quickly.  Oppo-field slap single to LF by Perdomo then bam!  HR by Ketel Marte.  And while we're at it, can the Giants please find a player like Ketel Marte?  Despite his struggles with runners on base, Melvin brought Doval back to pitch the 10'th after the Giants took the lead.  This time he delivered.  A fly out advanced the designated runner to 3'rd then struck out Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas, no small feat, to end the game.

The Giants try to get out of town with a series split tonight with Robbie Ray LHP facing Brandon Pfaadt RHP who comes in with a 5.38 ERA.

Down on the Farm: 7/1/2025

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats shellacked the Reno Aces 9-0. 

Osleivis Basabe 2B- 3 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .251.

Marco Luciano LF- 2 for 5, HR(13).  BA= .222.

Hunter Bishop DH- 1 for 3, HR(6), BB.  BA= .250.

Logan Porter C- 1 for 3, HR(3), BB.  BA= .224.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 11/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.93.

McDonald runs hot and cold but has turned in some Logan Webbish lines like this one.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels vs Chesapeake Baysox suspended in third inning with the Baysox leading 1-0.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsboro Hops 7-2.

Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .320.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 1 for 4, HR(4).  BA= .400.

Zane Zielinski SS- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .224.

Jonah Cox LF- 1 for 4, 3B(6).  BA= .246.

Josh Bostick RHP- 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 8/3 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.82.

Cameron Pferrer RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.26.

Ben Peterson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Would like to see more consistent lines like this out of Josh Bostick.

A:  San Jose Giants edged out the Stockton Ports 3-2.

Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .288.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 4, HR(7).  BA= .304.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 1 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .252.

Robert Hipwell 1B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .238.

Hunter Dryden RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 5/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.87.

Ricardo Estrada LHP- 2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.79.

Cade Vernon RHP- 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.93.

Rookie ACL:  Giants were apparently idle. 

DSL:  Giants Orange beat Giants Black 6-2(7 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez SS(17 yo)- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .299.

Yoxander Benitez LF(18 yo)- 2 for 2, BB, 2 SB(10).  BA= .310.

Leandro Rodriguez LHP(19 yo)- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.88.

Jeremiah Jones RHP(17 yo)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Djean Macares CF(17 yo)- 2 for 4.  BA= .254.

Juan Colorado 3B(18 yo)- 1 for 3, SB(5).  BA= .278.

Franco Willias 1B(20 yo)- 1 for 2, BB, 2 SB(7).  BA= .306.

Randry DeLeon RHP(19 yo)- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.52.

Game Wrap 7/1/2025: D' Backs 8 Giants 2

 This game started out promising as Hayden Birdsong breezed through the first 2 innings and the lineup. gave him a 2-0 lead to work with in the second, but the the wheels started coming loose and fell off completely in the middle innings.  Key Lines:

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, HR(10).  BA= .211.  Adames likes high hanging stuff and when he squares it up it goes a long way.  He hit it to the same spot as Christian Koss on Monday, but this one was a couple of rows deep and the fan that interfered has been disinvited from the stadium for the rest of the season so no fan interference on this one.  Speaking of Christian Koss, he was placed on the IL with a hammy strain suffered on the home run swing that was ruled a ground rule double.  Luis Matos got the call up to replace him.

Daniel Johnson CF- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .172.  Johnson roped a double to the R-CF gap right after Adames HR.  He alertly took 3B when nobody covered on the relay and scored on a ground out.  Unfortunately that was the end of the Giants scoring for the night.

Hayden Birdsong RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.30.  The first two innings were electric with Birdsong spotting his 97 MPH FB on the corners and getting swings and misses on breaking stuff out of the zone.  He gave up an unearned run on walk, passed ball and single.  He then went walk, walk HR to start the 4'th inning and the route was on.

Carson Seymour RHP- 3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's, 5/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.50.  You live by the sinker, you die by the sinker.  Gotta keep those bad boys down at the knees.  Two of the runs he gave up were unearned due to another passed ball by Bailey.

Landen Roupp RHP tries to get the Giants back on the winning track tonight facing longtime Giants nemesis Merrill Kelly RHP.

Down on the Farm: 6/30/2025

Full season league teams had their standard Monday off.

Rookie ACL:  Giants edged out the A's 5-4.

Jhonny Level SS(18 yo)- 2 for 5.  BA= .291.

Dario Reynoso 3B(19 yo)- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(14).  BA= .310.

Jose Astudillo LF(21 yo)- 1 for 1, 3 BB, SB(1).  BA= .455.

Keyner Martinez RHP(20 yo)- 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.48.

Jose Perez RHP21 yo)- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 9.35.

DSL:  Giants Orange outscored Pirates Black 11-10.

Djean Macares CF(17 yo)- 1 for 2, 3 BB.  BA= .237.

Yulian Barreto 2B(17 yo)- 2 for 4, HBP.  BA= .339.

Miguel Caraballo DH(16 yo)- 1 for 4, HR(3), BB.  BA= 304.

Juan Colorado 3B(18 yo)- 1 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .275.

Carlos Martinez C(17 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(2), 2 HBP.  BA= .194.

DSL:  Blue Jays Red defeated Giants Black 7-4.

Josuar Gonzalez SS(17 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .297.

Evan Estevez RF(17 yo)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, SB(4).  BA= .308.

Vinicius Dos Santos LF(18 yo).  2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .429.

Alberto LaRoche RHP(19 yo)- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.51.

Game Wrap 6/30/2025: D'Backs 4 Giants 2

Tyler Fitzgerald's 2-run double in the 7'th inning was the only scoring the Giants could muster in support of another Quality Start by Logan Webb.....except a solo HR by Christian Koss that was taken away by a replay looking at possible fan interference.  Key Lines: 

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 2 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .238.  Fitz was recalled from AAA when Casey Schmitt went on the IL with hand inflammation from a HBP several games ago.  Fitz responded with 2 doubles including the one that produced the Giants only two runs.  The Giants managed just 7 hits and no walks.  At least 4 of the 7 hits went for XBH's but they didn't do much better on the run-scoring.

Christian Koss 3B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .265.  This was a whole game within a game.  Christian hit a ball over the L-CF wall that a fan caught.  It was initially ruled a HR but then changed to fan interference on the field. That sent it to replay which appeared to show the fan catching the ball behind the fielder's glove well above and behind the top of the wall then falling forward and his glove hanging over the wall.  The final ruling was no fan interference but the ball would have hit the top of the wall.  Koss was awarded 2B.  I think it was a HR.  

Unfortunately, Christian came up limping out of the box and had to come out of the game for a pinch-runner.  After the game it was announced he had a hamstring strain.  Oh no!  The Giants may have just lost their best current hitter.

Rafael Devers DH- 0 for 4, 4 K's.  ERA= .261.  Devers had 12 K's in 15 AB's, 18 PA's, over his last 4 games.  That swing looks LONG!  

Logan Webb RHP- 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 10/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.61.  Another Quality Start, another loss.  Webb is not the type of pitcher who is going to pitch shutout ball.  There is just too much contact in his game.  But he is going to give you a Quality Start almost every time.  With the Giants lineup, that's not enough although it should be.

The Giants turn the page from June today with Hayden Birdsong RHP trying to get his game stabilized after a series of rough starts.  He'll face Zac Gallen RHP who comes in with a 5.75 ERA.

Down on the Farm: 6/29/2025

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Oklahoma City Comets 6-2.

Grant McCray CF- 1 for 4, HR(11).  BA= .252.

Hunter Bishop RF- 2 for 3, HR(5).  BA= .249.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.55.

Trent Harris RHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 9.64.

Tristan Beck RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(2).  ERA= 2.67.

This was Hunter Bishop's third consecutive 2-hit game.  His batting line for the month of June is a surprising .302/.362/.528.  Don't forget he is a former first round draft pick who battled a series of injuries and is finally getting sustained PA's.

AA:  Reading Fightin' Phils downed the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-3.

Onil Perez C- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .238.

Vaun Brown RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .224.

Marques Johnson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Braxton Roxby RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 1.20.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds crushed the Everett Aquasox 19-8.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 5, 3B, HR(5), BB, HBP.  BA= .312.

Jonah Cox LF- 1 for 4, HR(4), 2 BB, HBP.  BA= .246.

Bo Davidson CF- 4 for 5, 2B, 2 HR(9), 2 BB.  BA= .317.

Drew Cavanaugh DH- 5 for 7, HR(3).  BA= .419.

Charlie Szykowny 1B- 4 for 6, HR(9).  BA= .248.

Dayson Croes 3B- 1 for 3, 2B, 3 BB.  BA= .324.

Jose Ramos 2B- 2 for 5, BB, SB(2).  BA= .273.

Dylan Carmouche LHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, 8/4 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.48.

Austin Strickland RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.55.

Talk about padding the stat lines!  Ems hit a total of 6 HR's in the game.  We had some concern about Bo Davidson missing 3 games in a row.  Not to worry, he came back with vengeance today.  And what about Drew Cavanaugh who was officially promoted to A+ on June 10 but immediately sent up to AAA Sacramento to fill in until June 20?  It's a small sample but so far he looks like he's too good for A+.  

A:  San Jose Giants destroyed the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 20-2.

Jean Carlos Sio RF- 2 for 5, BB, SB(10).  BA= .284.

Dakota Jordan CF- 3 for 5, 2 2B, HR(6), BB.  BA= .305.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 3 for 6, 2B.  BA= .252.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 4, HR(1), 2 BB.  BA= .189.

Juan Perez C- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .139.

Zander Darby 2B- 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .289.

Drake George RHP- 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.20.

Darien Smith RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 1.53.

Another offensive explosion and can we please have some that at the MLB level?  Another game to pad the ol' stat line but the SJ Giants have been tearing it up most of the season and some of these players are demanding a promotion with their performances.

The complex leagues had their usual Sunday break.

Game Wrap 6/29/2025: White Sox 5 Giants 2

Whoo boy!  It's getting mighty hard to write these up, but let's try to make some sense out of this utter mess of a game.  Justin Verlander pitched a Quality Start but the Giants lineup continued to sputter and a bullpen failure in the 7'th inning doomed them to a loss and another lost series against a team they should have swept.  Key Lines:

Christian Koss 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(2).  BA= .266.  Once again, Christian Koss is the only hitter in the lineup with multiple hits.  No offense to Christian who I am rooting hard for but if he's the best hitter in your lineup, your team might not be better than the White Sox.  BTW, this was Christian's fourth consecutive multi-hit game.

Justin Verlander RHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K's, 2/11 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.26.  Verlander benefitted from some serious BABIP luck as he gave up some drives that ended up in gloves that looked like they were going to be home runs or gappers off the bat.  What he didn't get was run or bullpen support.

Ryan Walker RHP- 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K, ERA= 4.64.  Erik Miller LHP inherited a 2-1 lead in the 7'th inning.  He got one out on a line out but then gave up a line drive single and groundball single.  A ground ball to the right side by Benintendi was too soft for a GIDP or to get the lead runner so the out moved runners up to 2'nd and 3'rd.  But, there were 2 outs.  

I don't know what relief pitchers were available today but I do know that when I saw Walker entering the game my daughter can testify I muttered "I don't know about this!" at the TV.  Personally I would have just left Miller in the game there.  When Walker walked the righthanded hitting Miguel Vargas and the lefty hitting Kyle Teel C, who already had two hits, came up, I turned to my daughter and said, "this is where they lose this game!"  Before she could finish admonishing me about my bad attitude Teel ripped a double into the RF corner for a 2-run double and the game was effectively over.  A balk and another single later and it was a complete disaster.  

I am not sure where the Giants go from here with Walker but he hasn't looked right all season and I don't see how he can be brought into close games with runners already on base.

The Giants lose the first series of the road trip and just went 1-5 against two of the weakest teams in MLB.  They now go to Arizona to start a 4-game series against the D'Backs.  Logan Webb RHP tries to set things right against Ryne Nelson RHP in Game 1.

Down on the Farm: 6/28/2025

AAA:  Oklahoma City Comets overtook the Sacramento River Cats 7-4.  

Wade Meckler 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .280.

Marco Luciano LF- 2 for 4.  BA= .221.

Hunter Bishop DH- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .243.

Devin Mann 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, SF.  BA= .230.

Carson Ragsdale RHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.56.

 It appears Wade Meckler is on some sort of positional rotation where he plays 2B about every 4'th game.  Strong start by Carson Ragsdale against an obviously potent lineup.  The Comets scored 6 runs over the final 2 innings to overtake and pull away from the Cats.

AA:  Reading Fightin' Phils defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 4-2.

Carter Howell DH- 1 for 4, HR(5).  BA= .197.

Victor Bericoto RF- 1 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .241.

John Bertrand LHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K's, 12/4 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.69.

Dylan Hecht RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Tyler Myrick RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.25.

Howell and Bericoto hit back-to-back solo HR's in the 6'th inning.  This was Dylan Hecht's second appearance after a promotion from A+.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds crushed the Everett Aquasox 9-2.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .310.

Jonah Cox LF- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, 2 SB(34).  BA= .246.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 2 for 4, HR(2), BB.  BA= .333.

Charlie Szykowny 1B- 1 for 4, HR(8). BA= .238.

Dayson Croes 3B- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .324.

Luke Shliger DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .231.

Nick Zwack LHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.87.

A:  San Jose Giants smacked around the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 12-4.

Jean Carlos Sio RF- 4 for 6, 2B.  BA= .281.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .247.

Walker Martin SS- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .227.

Robert Hipwell 1B- 2 for 4, HR(7), BB.  BA= .231.

Elian Rayo 3B- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .233.

Nomar Diaz C- 2 for 3, HR(1), 2 BB.  BA= .133.

Zander Darby 2B- 2 for 2, 3 SF.  BA= .280.

Jean Carlos Sio had 4 hits out of the leadoff position and did not factor into the scoring.  Carlos Gutierrez has been out of the lineup for 3 games.  He is not listed as being on the IL or in any transactions.

Rookie ACL:  Giants topped the Angels 5-4.

Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .316.

Dario Reynoso SS- 1 for 2, HR(5), 2 BB.  BA= .313.

Oliver Tejada LF- 2 for 3.  BA= .209.

Marlon Franco RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 7/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.40.

DSL:  Giants Orange crushed the Blue Jays Blue 10-2.

Carlos Concepcion RF(19 yo)- 3 for 4, 2B,  HBP.  BA= .282.

Miguel Caraballo C(16 yo)- 1 for 4, HR(1), BB.  BA= .313.

Juan Colorado 3B(18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .308.

Brandon Vasquez LF(18 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, SB(1).  BA= .400.

Franco Willias 1B( 20 yo)- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .333.

Djean Macares CF(17 yo)- 1 for 4, BB, 2 SB(3).  BA= .158.

Iverson Paulino RHP(18 yo)- 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.86.

This was the completion of a game suspended in the 3'rd inning with the Giants Orange leading 6-0 on June 16.

DSL:  Giants Black edged out Pirates Black 3-2.

Dennys Riera 3B(20 yo)- 2 for 2.  BA= .375.

Dilan Fernandez RHP(20 yo)- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.93.

Alfonso Perez RHP(19 yo)- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.75.

Game Wrap 6/28/2025: White Sox 1 Giants 0

 The Giants hitting collapsed for the umpteenth time this season and hung a 1-0 loss on Robbie Ray who got Cained?  Webbed?  Rayed? Whatever.  Key Lines: 

Christian Koss 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .253.  Once again, Christian Koss was the only Giants batter to get more than one hit and he ended up with 2 of the Giants 4 hits.  Melvin had enough confidence in him to bat him leadoff and he got the job done.  It's just that it's doesn't do a leadoff batter any good to get on base if the 2, 3, 4 and 5 hitters go a combined 0 for 14 with one walk.

Brett Wisely 2B- 1 for 3.  BA= .158.  There was no shortage of frustrating plays in this game but this was probably the most frustrating of all, maybe of the whole season.  Wisely led off the 6'th with a single.  Koss followed with another soft single putting runners at first and second.  Then White Sox starter Adrian Houser inexplicably balked them to 2'nd and 3'rd, still with no outs and Rafael Devers at the plate.  Devers took an ugly looking swing at a breaking ball for strike 3......and Wisely got back-picked off third by the catcher.  So, instead of still having runners at 2'nd and 3'rd with less than 2 outs it was a runner at 2B with 2 outs and you know what happened next.  This was Wisely's second pick-off in 2 games.  But it's not all on Wisely as Dever's AB just didn't look good at all.

And what kind of a contagious hitting disease is going on when Buster goes out and gets one of the top 10-15 hitters in the game and he promptly goes stone cold at the plate?  Devers line for his last 7 games is .259/.355/.519 which is pretty good but his overall line in 11 games with the Giants is .233/.327/.419. After his 3 for 4 game on Sunday, it's gone 1 for 8, BB in two games since against the White Sox.

I will say the bad luck narrative is still alive and well as Giants hitters had 7 exit velocities of 100+ MPH, none of which went for hits.  The loudest out was by Jung Hoo Lee who hit an absolute rocket directly over Austin Slater's head in RF which he barely got turned around on in time to catch it right at the top of the wall.

Robbie Ray LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's, 7/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.75.  Not much to say about this except you can't pitch much better and that's frustrating.

Justin Verlander RHP tries to salvage series win tomorrow facing Scott Cannon RHP and this one is not a gimme by any stretch.

Down on the Farm: 6/27/2025

 AAA:  Oklahoma City Comets outscored the Sacramento River Cats 9-7.

Wade Meckler CF/LF- 3 for 5, 2B, SB(5).  BA= .271.

Hunter Bishop RF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(8).  BA= .237.

Osleivis Basabe 3B/2B- 2 for 4.  2 SB(5).  BA= .243.

Raymond Burgos LHP- 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.84.

At one point in the game the River Cats had 7-3 lead.  Comets scored 3 in the 9'th inning to take the lead for the first time.  Tyler Fitzgerald 2B came out of the game after a HBP.  River Cats stole a total of 8 bases in the game.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Reading Fightin' Phils 6-3.

Carter Howell CF- 1 for 4, 3B.  BA= .196.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .241.

Thomas Gavello SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .262.

Justin Wishkoski 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .260.

Jairo Pomares PH- 1 for 1, HR(8).  BA= .216.

Will Bednar RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 6.75.

Evan Gates RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.72.

This was Will Bednar's fourth consecutive scoreless appearance:  6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K's.  

A+:  Everett Aquasox blanked the Eugene Emeralds 3-0.  

Greg Farone LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.38.  

Farone's first A+ start brings mixed results but the 7 K's are a good sign.

A:  San Jose Giants blasted the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 9-2.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .247.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 3, BB, HBP, 2 SB(24).  BA= .305.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .244.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 2, 3B, 3 BB.  BA= .161.

Zander Darby 2B- 1 for 2, HR(3), BB, SF.  BA= .269.

Jacob Bresnahan LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.18.

Cole Hillier RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.13.

Zander Darby's HR was a grand slam.

Rookie ACL:  Giants blanked the Angels 4-0(7 innings).

Santiago Camacho C(18 yo)- 2 for 3.  BA= .221.

Rayner Arias RF(19 yo)- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .254.

Luis De La Torre LHP(21 yo)- 4.1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.93.

Jose Rengel LHP(19 yo)- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 8.24.

Combined 7-inning no-hitter for De La Torre and Rengel.  De La Torre has 57 K's in 34.1 IP.  This is his third season in the organization after 2 seasons in the DSL.  He has pitched well enough to consider an in-season promotion to full season ball, maybe after the draft?

DSL:  Giants Orange topped the Nationals 10-7. 

Anthony Marquez SS(18 yo)- 2 for 5.  BA= .268.

Djean Macares CF(17 yo)- 1 for 3, BB, SF.  BA= .226.

Fernando Pena 1B(18 yo)- 2 for 4.  BA= 176.

Omar Calcurian RHP(20 yo)- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 5/1 GO/AO. ERA= 2.53.

DSL:  Giants Black destroyed the Mariners 11-0.

Josuar Gonzalez DH(17 yo)- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .303.

Yoxander Benitez LF(18 yo)- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .297.

Alessandro Duran 1B(19 yo)- 2 for 4, HR(1), BB.  BA= .200.

Diego Alambarrio C(17 yo)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .400.

Brayan Narvaez RHP(20 yo)- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.76.

Game Wrap 6/27/2025: Giants 3 White Sox 1

 The offense ran through Patrick Bailey as the Giants scored just enough to support the sparkling pitching of Landen Roupp and four relievers.  Key Lines:

Christian Koss 3B- 2 for 4, R.  BA= .241.  The Giants lineup managed just 6 hits.  Christian had 2.

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 3, 3B, BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .192.  Bailey drew a walk to lead off the third inning.  He advanced to 2B on Rafael Devers DH(.270) walk then scored on Wilmer Flores 1B(.243) double to tie the score at 1.  Then in the 6'th inning Bailey tripled after a walk to Adames and a single by Koss to drive in the two runs that were the difference in the game.

Landen Roupp RHP- 5.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's, 6/3 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.43.  Roupp looked like he wouldn't last long in the first inning as he had 4 balls in a row roasted.  The run may have been unearned on an error charged to Willy Adames, and while I am sure Willy would say he should have had it, it as smoked.  Not sure what Statcast would say the hit probability was on that one but I bet it was high.  Roupp settled down and did not allow another run into the 6'th inning.  I was thinking about things like innings limits as I watched him pitch.  He is old school in that it looks like he is out there playing an easy game of catch with a the catcher.  He has a very upright, low-effort delivery not unlike what you might see with a knuckeballer.  He depends on pitch movement and location to get his outs.  He may be able to keep pitching like this deep into the season as opposed to a higher effort pitcher with the same number of innings last season.

Bullpen- 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  Ryan Walker RHP(4.13) finished up the 6'th inning after a leadoff single and groundout.  Randy Rodriguez RHP(0.75), Tyler Rogers RHP(1.64) and Camilo Doval RHP(2.70) brought it home with Doval earning his 13'th Save.

The other thought I had while watching Dan Altavilla RHP work the 9'th inning for the White Sox is fringy relievers often have long careers in MLB.

Robbie Ray LHP tries to keep the winning going today in a 1:10 PM PDT start facing Adrian Houser RHP who comes in with a 2.27 ERA.

Down on the Farm: 6/26/2025

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats nipped the Oklahoma City Comets 5-4.

Wade Meckler DH- 1 for 3, 2 BB, SB(4).  BA= .253.

Drew Ellis 1B- 2 for 5, 2 HR(3).  BA= .258.

Kai-Wei Teng RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 5.15.

Antonio Jimenez LHP- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.08.

Ryan Watson RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.27.

The Cats scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9'th for a walk-off win.  Big news here is Carson Seymour was a last scratch.  Was it so he could fly to Chicago?

AA:  Reading Fightin' Phils shut out the Richmond Flying Squirrels 1-0.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 0 for 1, 3 BB.  BA= .286.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.45.

Marques Johnson RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

This was Marques Johnson's second appearance in AA.  I didn't notice he was promoted.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds sank the Everett Aquasox 8-2.

Scott Bandura RF- 3 for 5, SB(26).  BA= .307.

Jonah Cox LF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(32).  BA= .247.

Bo Davidson CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .308.

Luke Shliger C- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .221.

Cesar Perdomo LHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.48.

Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 7.77.

Ben Peterson RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.

This was Ben Peterson's second appearance after a promotion from A San Jose.

A:  Rancho Cucamonga Quakes defeated the San Jose Giants 8-5.

Maui Ahuna SS- 1 for 2, HR(3), 3 BB, SB(6).  BA= .235.

Jakob Christian LF- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(10).  BA= .283.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 2 for 4, 2 HR(5).  BA= .240.

Ricardo Estrada LHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 9.00.

I've been waiting for Lisbel Diaz to catch fire.  Maybe this 2-HR game is the start of something?  Rough greeting to full season ball for Ricardo Estrada who scores the promotion from ACL.

Rookie ACL:  Giants edged out the Reds 3-2(7 innings).

Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 2, 2B, BB.  BA= .295.

Andy Polanco CF- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .333.

Dario Reynoso 2B- 1 for 3, 2B.  BA= .321.

Rayner Arias RF- 2 for 3.  BA= .250.

Argenis Cayama RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K's, 7/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.73.

Melvin Pineda RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Fernando Vasquez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.45.

DSL:  Arizona Red smacked Giants Orange 10-4(7 innings).

Yulian Barreto SS(17 yo)- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .353.

Miguel Caraballo DH(16 yo)- 2 for 3, BB.  BA= .318.

Franco Willias 1B(20 yo)- 1 for 2, HR(1), BB.  BA= .286.

DSL:  Giants Black outscored Cubs Red 8-6(7 innings).

Josuar Gonzalez SS(17 yo)- 0 for 2, 2 BB, SB(14).  BA= .306.

Yosneiker Rivas 2B(19 yo)- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .379.

Yohendry Sanchez C(18 yo)- 1 for 3, 2B, HBP.  BA= .273.

Vinicius Dos Santos LF(18 yo)- 1 for 1, BB, HBP.  BA= .364.

Ricardo Crespo CF/RF- 2 for 2, BB, SB(2).  BA= .375.

Game Wrap 6/16/2025: Marlins 12 Giants 5

 It sure seemed like the Giants showed up today more with revenge for a recent string of HBP's than, you know, winning the game.  Young Hayden Birdsong got two quick outs on pop ups to open the game.  Then, as was apparently planned, he hit Otto Lopez with a pitch.  The next two batters crushed the ball for a double and home run and the route was on before the Giants even came to bat.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers DH- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(17), BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .270.  Maybe this is the game that gets the new team/new city jitters out and Devers gets going.  The Giants desperately need him to be the center of their lineup.

Willy Adames SS- 3 for 4, R, RBI.  BA= .215.  The Giants also desperately need Adames to get going.  Perhaps eschewing home run swings on every pitch and just getting base hits is the way to start?

Christian Koss 3B- 2 for 4, R.  BA= .229.  Koss moves over to 3B with Casey Schmitt hurting.  He has done everything the team asked him to do all season.

Brett Wisely 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI.  BA= .143.  Wisely gets the call at 2B with Schmitt out and responds with a couple of hits and 2 RBI's.

Joey Lucchesi LHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 5.40.  The Giants need a second LHP in the bullpen, preferably one who can go multiple innings.  Is Joey Lucchesi the answer?

The loss completes a humiliating sweep of a home series against one of the doormat teams, albeit one with some hungry young players and may be up and coming.  Sometimes teams going through a bad stretch need to hit rock bottom to start climbing back.  Maybe this is that game?  It sure felt like it.

The Giants go on the road to start a weekend series against the White Sox with Landen Roupp RHP facing Aaron Civale RHP.

Down on the Farm: 6/25/2025

AAA:  Oklahloma City Comets destroyed the Sacramento River Cats 16-0.

Emmett Sheehan RHP(Comets)- 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 13 K's.  ERA= 2.93.  

River Cats managed just 2 hits in the game.  This was Emmett Sheehan's 5'th start in a rehab assignment after missing the 2024 season with TJ surgery.  Just a guess we'll see him in the Dodgers rotation sooner than later.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Reading Fightin' Phils 6-4.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 2 for 3, 2 BB, SB(12).  BA= .288.

Victor Bericoto DH- 1 for 3, HR(5), BB.  BA= .238.

Justin Wiskoski 1B- 3 for 4, SB(10).  BA= .254.

Nick Sinacola RHP- 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.72.

Braxton Roxby RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.24.

A+: Eugene Emeralds outscored the Everett Aquasox 9-4.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 6.  BA= .301.

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 4, 2 BB.  BA= .244.

Jack Payton LF- 2 for 4, HR(5), BB.  BA= .264.

Charlie Szykowny 1B- 3 for 6, 3B, HR(7).  BA= .241.

Zane Zielinski SS- 1 for 4, 2B, BB, HBP, SB(20).  BA= .231.

Dayson Croes 3B- 3 for 4, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .317.

Luke Shliger DH- 1 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .220.

Josh Bostick RHP- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 5.08.

Austin Strickland RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K's, 6/0 GO/AO,  ERA= 3.75.

A:  San Jose Giants defeated the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6-1.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .307.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4.  BA= .228.

Walker Martin 3B- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(7).  BA= .229.

Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .274.

Niko Mazza RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.98.

Ryan Slater RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.11.

The Giants complex teams were all idle.

Game Wrap 6/25/2025: Marlins 8 Giants 5(10 Innings)

 Blame is not in short supply for this loss but for the second game in a row, a late base running blunder cost the Giants a chance for a win.  Key Lines:  

Mike Yastrzemski RF- 1 for 3, HR(7).  BA= .251.  YtY led off the Giants half of the first inning with a HR onto the metal roof of the RF arcade to give Logan Webb RHP an early lead.

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 5.  Heliot had 2 of the Giants 5 hits.  YtY's HR was the only XBH.  Heliot also had a quick release on a ball down the LF line and threw out the runner trying to stretch it into a double.

Jung Hoo Lee CF- 0 for 1, 2 BB, HBP.  BA= .252.  Lee drew two walks.  After the first, he was thrown out stealing at 2B.  The Giants entered the 9'th inning trailing 4-2.  Lee drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.  A Sac Fly by Adames drove in one run and both trailing runners moved up.  Patrick Bailey then lined a single to LF driving in Dom Smith but Lee was thrown out by 20 feet trying to score behind Smith.  Christian Koss lined out for the final out leaving the game tied for extra-innings and Camilo Doval's meltdown.  

At least Devers out at home plate Tuesday was the final out of the inning Lee's gaffe took away an opportunity to score the walk-off run without a hit.  The big question is whether these twin gaffes are on the runners or the third base coach.  BTW, is it just me or does Jung Hoo Lee look like he's lost weight since the beginning of the season?

Casey Schmitt 3B- 0 for 3, HBP.  BA= .276.  In the department of Things That Can Go Wrong, Schmitt took a pitch off the ulnar side of his left hand and appeared to be in considerable pain as the game ended.  Preliminary X-rays did not show a fracture but those may be repeated depending on how he feels this morning.  It did not appear to be a purpose pitch but pitchers are clearly intentionally working to put pitches under Giants hitters hands and Schmitt was clearly frustrated as was Heliot Ramos who has a whole string of HBP's after his name.  BTW, three Giants were HBP in this game alone.  

Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's, 6/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.52.  Not Webb's best but a Quality Start that should have been good enough to win.

Tyler Rogers RHP- 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.69.  As an inducer of weak, groundball contact, Rogers is going to have games where he gets BABIP'd.  This was one of them.

Camilo Doval RHP- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.78.  The Giants failure to secure a walk-off win in the 9'th set up Doval to pitch in extra innings.  As we noted, Doval is now a contact pitcher which tends to work against him when he starts the inning with a runner at 2B.

Hayden Birdsong RHP tries to stave off a sweep this afternoon facing Janson Junk RHP.  I have to say, that is quite a name, especially for a pitcher.

Down on the Farm: 6/24/2025

 AAA:  Oklahoma City Comets blasted the Sacramento River Cats 13-2.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .357.

Drew Ellis 1B- 1 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .217.  

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 4.1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 4 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.64.

Alberto Jimenez LHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.50.

Oh look! There's Tyler Fitzgerald playing 2B.

AA:  Reading Fightin' Phils defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels 6-3.

Adrian Sugastey C- 1 for 2, HR(7), 2 BB.  BA= .206.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .182.

Manuel Mercedes RHP- 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 0 K, 10/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 7.62.

Evan Gates RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.88.

Another example of how pounding the zone with sinkers and getting groundball outs is not enough in the launch angle era.  You also have to get swings and misses from secondary stuff if nothing else to keep hitters from sitting on the sinker.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds sank the Everett Aquasox 12-5.

Scott Bandura RF- 4 for 5, SB(25).  BA= .300.

Drew Cavanaugh C- 3 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .417.

Jack Payton LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .256.

Dayson Croes 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .288.

Quinn McDaniel DH- 1 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .225.

Dylan Carmouche LHP- 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K's.  ERA= 1.69.

A+ is Drew Cavanaugh's official placement at this point.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 11-10. 

Carlos Gutierrez RF- 3 for 6, 2B.  BA= .352.

Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .227.

Jean Carlos Sio 2B- 3 for 3, 2B, HR(3), 2 BB.  BA= .270.

Hunter Dryden RHP- 5.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.98.  

5.1 no-hit innings for Hunter Dryden.  He came out after issuing a 1-out walk in the 6'th.  Greg Farone LHP was promoted to A+ Eugene.  Maybe Hunter Dryden is next?

Rookie ACL:  Giants beat the Angels 4-2.

Andy Polanco CF- 2 for 4.  BA= .329.

Ramon Peralta 3B- 1 for 3, 2B, SF.  BA= .306.

Jose Astudillo 2B- 2 for 4.  BA= .500.

Keyner Martinez RHP- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.20.

Mauricio Estrella RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.05.

DSL:  Giants Black destroyed Tigers 1 15-8.

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 2 for 6, 3B, SB(13).  BA= .317.

Yosneiker Rivas 2B- 3 for 4, 2B, Sac.  BA= .370.

Alessandro Duran C- 1 for 2, 2B.  BA= .143.

DSL:  Giants Orange edged out Pirates Black 3-2(7 innings).

Djean Macares CF- 1 for 1, 2B, 2 BB, SB(3).  BA= .229.

Yulian Barreto 2B- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(6).  BA= .333.

Luis Hernandez RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.19.

Game Wrap 6/24/2025: Marlins 4 Giants 2

 Was it the hitting that wasn't quite good enough to overcome a subpar start by Justin Verlander or was the pitching not quite good enough to overcome the poor hitting?  Plenty of blame to go around for another frustrating loss to a team the Giants should sweep.  Key Lines:

Christian Koss 2B- 1 for 3, HR(2), R, 2 RBI.  BA= .224.  Koss gets the start against a RHP over Brett Wisely after Tyler Fitzgerald optioned to AAA Sacramento.  In addition to driving in both Giants runs with his home run in the 5'th inning, he made several sparkling defensive plays.  

There was a ridiculous play where Heliot Ramos hit a 2-out double down the 3B line with Rafael Devers on 1B.  Whether Devers was waved home or he did not get a stop sign, he was thrown out by at least 10 feet at home plate to end the inning.  

The Giants managed just 5 total hits in the game.  

Justin Verlander RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.52.  Let's see, 3/5 X 9 = 5.40.  Yes, not a Quality Start by Verlander who continues to look like he has decent enough stuff but makes too many mistake pitches in the zone.

Ryan Walker RHP(4.35) gave up an insurance run in the 7'th inning.  Sean Hjelle RHP(4.22), Spencer Bivens RHP(3.18) and Joey Lucchesi LHP(9.00) each pitched a scoreless frame.

Logan Webb RHP tries to give the Giants a chance for a series win tomorrow evening against Edward Cabrera RHP.

Scouting the 2025 Draft

 We've had more questions and comments about the upcoming MLB Amateur Draft which is now about 3 weeks away during All-Star week.  Despite having the 9'th worst record in MLB last season the Giants dropped 4 slots to pick at #13 due to teams below them moving up into the top 10 via the draft lottery.  This year's draft appears to be deep but relatively weak at the top. It seems strong for college pitchers and a couple of standout high school pitchers.  Historically the best ROI is for college hitters but this year's crop is unimpressive.  There is a bevy of highly ranked HS shortstops but none who separate themselves.

It's an article of faith that you don't draft for need at the MLB level.   While I believe in taking the best player available, especially in the first round, I think a case can be made for using later rounds to fill organizational needs.  Having said that, the Giants are in a weird position where they don't have any outstanding organizational strengths or glaring weaknesses.  They have a cadre of pitchers who are near MLB ready but the pitching is much less impressive at lower levels as the last few drafts and international signing periods went hitter heavy.  I would say the Giants thinnest organizational position is catcher and catching is extremely thin throughout MLB right now.

With all that in mind, let's run through MLB Pipeline's top 25 draft prospects and see who the Giants might select at #13(once again they don't have a second round pick and projecting past the first two rounds is pretty much impossible).

1.  Ethan Holliday SS/3B(HS).  18 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 4", 210 lbs.  Almost the consensus #1 draft prospect. A physical monster with elite MLB bloodlines.  Questions about hit tool have quieted during his senior season.  Some mock drafts still have him dropping to his dad's old team(Rockies) at #4.  It's extremely unlikely he'll be on the board at #13.

2.  Seth Hernandez RHP(HS).  18 yo, 6' 4", 190 lbs.  Almost perfect pitcher's frame with oodles of projection and a full arsenal of pitches.  The first names that pop into my head when I see him on video are Michael Kopech and Walker Buehler.  He's got a smooth, drop-and-drive delivery but if you look closely there is a lot of effort.  Huge ceiling and a likely fast mover but obvious injury risk.  Several mocks have him going 1-1 to the Nationals.  There is a lot of aversion to drafting HS pitching in the first round so there is a chance he could drop, but probably not to #13.

3.  Kade Anderson LHP(College).  20 yo.  6' 2", 179 lbs.  12-1, 3.18, 119 IP, 35 BB, 180 K's.  Stock went way up with a complete game shutout in the College World Series but that raises workload questions.  consensus is growing that he's the top college pitcher and some mocks have him going 1-1 to the Nationals.

4.  Jamie Arnold LHP(College).  21 yo. 6' 1", 188 lbs.  8-2, 2.98, 84.2 IP, 27 BB, 119 K's.  Smaller framed LHP with a delivery that reminds some observers of Chris Sale.  Outstanding FB/Slider combo with a changeup he'll need to use more in the pros.  

5.  Eli Willits SS(HS).  17 yo.  B-S, T-R.  6' 1", 180 lbs.  Son of former MLB'er Reggie Willits.  Youngest prospect in the draft.  True SS who could also play CF due to speed.  Plus hit tool, athleticism and speed.  May not have the size for future power but hit 10 HR at PG All American.  

6.  Aiva Arquette SS(College).  21 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 5", 220 lbs.  .354/.461/.654, 19 HR, 7 SB, 310 PA.  Arquette emerged as the top college position prospect in the draft.  Scouts think he is athletic enough to play SS long term despite his size.  Plenty of present power with more to come.  College hitters tend to rise in the draft for obvious reasons so he's almost surely a top 10 pick and possibly top 5.

7.  Billy Carlson SS(HS):  18 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 1", 185 lbs.  .365, 6 HR, 116 PA.  True shortstop with more of an all-around profile than any one outstanding tool.  

8.  Kyson Witherspoon RHP(College).  20 yo.  6' 2", 206 lbs.  10-4, 2.65, 95 IP, 23 BB, 124 K.  5 pitch mix with a FB that touches 99 MPH.  Projects as MLB SP with expected development of his secondary pitches. Young for class.  Has a twin brother Malachi who also pitches for Oklahoma but is not as highly regarded as a prospect.

9.  Liam Doyle LHP(College).  21 yo.  6' 2", 220 lbs.  10-4, 3.20, 95.2 IP, 32 BB, 164 K. High velocity 4-seam FB that he works up in the zone.  Less command of secondary pitches which he will need to become a MLB SP.

10.  JoJo Parker SS(HS):  18 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 2", 200 lbs.  .465, 13 HR, 158 PA.  More of a bat-first SS who will likely move to 3B or 2B in the pros.  Plus hit tool with gap-to-gap approach with average to above-average power potential.  One source linked him to the Giants.

11.  Kayson Cunningham SS/2B(HS).  18 yo.  B-L, T-R.  5' 10", 182 lbs.  .445(PG career).  60 hit and run tools with some power.  May be more of a 2B in the pros.  

12.  Marek Houston SS(College).  21 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 3", 205 lbs.  .354/.458/.597, 15 HR, 19 SB, 298 PA.  Top defensive SS who has improved as a hitter.  Power may not translate to pros.  

13.  Steele Hall SS(HS).  17 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 0", 180 lbs.  .484, 8 HR, 148 PA.  Young for level.  Defense-first SS with at least 70 speed.  Bat may develop but is not his current strength.  Several analysts seem to think the Giants are looking at HS SS's and at least one mock draft has them taking Hall.

14.  Tyler Bremner RHP(College).  21 yo.  6' 2", 190 lbs.  5-4, 3.49, 77.1 IP, 19 BB, 111 K.  A bit on the slight side for pitcher with loose arm action.  Has a plus FB that gets to 98 MPH and a 65-70 grade changeup but the slider regressed this year.  Swingman in college who never established himself as a true SP.  Stock is down from preseason rankings.  I just don't see him as a top-half first round talent.

15.  Jace LaViolette OF(College).  21 yo, B-L, T-L.  6' 6", 230 lbs.  .258/.427/.576, 18 HR, 7 SB, 262 PA.  Preseason #1 draft prospect on some boards.  Elite size and athleticism and solid plate discipline but with horrific swing-and-miss tendencies.  He could turn into a lefty-hitting Dave Kingman but more likely comp is Hunter Bishop.  He would be a hard pass on my board.

16.  Kruz Schoolcraft LHP(HS).  18 yo, 6' 8", 229 lbs.  My "white whale" in this draft.  Immense size with residual room to fill out.  2-way HS player who profiles better on the mound.  Already has a solid 3-pitch mix with a FB/Slider/Change.  Drop and drive 3/4 delivery which takes away some of his height advantage but still has great leverage on his pitches.  Repeats his delivery well despite his height.  To my eye he has the highest ceiling in the entire draft and a better than decent chance of reaching it.  Giants have a long history of successfully developing HS pitching prospects.

17.  Gavin Kilen 2B(College).  21 yo.  B-L, T-R.  5' 11", 187 lbs.  .357/.441/.671, 15 HR, 6 SB, 245 PA.  Contact hitter who likes to swing early in the count.  Scouting report reminds me of Joe Panik.  

18.  Daniel Pierce SS(HS).  18 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 0", 185 lbs.  Coach's kid with average to above-average tools across the board.  Bat profiles as hit over power.

19.  Brendan Summerhill OF(College).  21 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 3", 200 lbs.  .343/.459/.556, 4 HR, 11 SB, 207 PA.  Across the board average to above-average tools.  Contact hitter with projectable power.  Bat would play better in CF where he may have enough speed.  Played CF in the Cape Cod League but RF in college this season.

20.  Luke Stevenson C(College).  20 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 1", 200 lbs.  .251/.414/.552, 19 HR, 290 PA.  More of a defense-first catcher with some pop in his bat.  Low BA result of struggles against off-speed pitches.

21.  Ike Irish C/OF(College).  21 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 2", 200 lbs.  .364/.469/.710, 19 HR, 11 SB, 258 PA.  More of a bat-first catcher who played mostly RF this spring after fracturing a scapula when hit by a pitch.  Unclear if he's a catcher or OF in the pros.  

22.  Wehiwa Aloy SS(College).  21 yo.  B-R, T-R.  6' 2", 201 lbs.  .350/.434/.673, 21 HR, 9 SB, 311 PA.  Solid college bat who has the tools to stick at SS in the pros but could also play 2B or 3B.  

23.  Sean Gamble 2B/OF(HS).  18 yo.  B-L, T-R.  6' 1", 188 lbs.  .413, 4 HR.  More average to above-average tools across the board.  May be able to maximize his talent in CF.  MLB Pipeline comps him to Bryson Stott.

24.  Devin Tayler OF(College).  21 yo. B-L, T-R.  6' 1", 215 lbs. .374/.494/.706, 18 HR, 12 SB, 269 PA.  Could turn into an elite lefty power bat, possibly the best college bat in the draft, but with defensive limitations to LF.

25.  Slater de Brun OF(HS).  18 yo.  B-L, T-L.  5' 10", 187 lbs.  Undersized but ultra-athletic HS OF who MLB Pipeline comps to Corbin Carroll which is high praise.

Summary:  Let's face it.  This is a down year for college bats which makes it a relatively weak draft.  Although there are some solid players here, there are just 3 that jump out and make me say, "holy Toledo!  This kid could be a superstar!", Ethan Holliday, Seth Hernandez and Kruz Schoolcraft.  Although HS pitchers are the widely considered the highest risk draft demographic, the Giants have had more success developing them than any other position including Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Logan Webb and Kyle Harrison.  A lot of teams won't go near HS pitchers in the first round so there is an outside chance Hernandez is still on the board at #13 and a strong chance Schoolcraft is.  If he is, Schoolcraft is my guy and it's not a particularly close call.  If the Giants scouts really, really like one of the HS SS's over the others, well, OK.  Of the college bats likely to be available I guess Aloy and Taylor interest me the most but man, I want Kruz Schoolcraft!