Monday, February 23, 2026

Spring Training Game Wrap 2/23/2026: Giants 6 A's 2

The Giants reached deep into their organizational pitching depth to overcome a shaky first inning from J. T. Brubaker while their contact approach continued to produce enough runs to record their third spring win in a row.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI.  BA= .500.  Well, we know he can hit.

Will Brennan LF- 1 for 1, 2B, BB, R.  BA= .667.
Drew Gilbert DH- 1 for 2, RBI.  BA= .400.  Brennan and Gilbert are probably competing for a 4'th OF spot.  They are both off to good starts.

Victor Bericoto PH/DH- 2 for 2, HR(1).  BA= 1.000.  Bericoto is a fave of some of our readers/commenters.  He hits the Giants first HR of the spring.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 1, BB, R.  BA= .500.  If Bader can come close to his batting production from last season he will be a major upgrade to CF and will facilitate an upgrade in RF.

Daniel Susac C- 1 for 2.  BA= .400.  All 3 of Susac's hits left the bat at over 100 MPH. 

J. T. Brubaker RHP- 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 18.00.  Interesting that 3 games in, Robbie Ray is the only member of the projected starting rotation to make a start.  It may be they are holding the starters back due to the extended spring training due to the WBC.  That seems to be giving some of the young pitchers from Down On The Farm a chance to show off their stuff.  Brubaker is not one of those.  His slider-sinker approach may need a few innings to get command of.  

Here is a list of the other 8 pitchers who did not allow a run with K's and FB velocity in parentheses:

Trevor McDonald RHP(2, 94.1-97.2).  Wow!
Gregory Santos RHP(0, 97.1-100.5). Wow!
Trystan Vrieling RHP(1, 92-96)
Greg Farone LHP(1, 94.2-94.9).  Threw 5 pitches in the inning.
Marques Johnson RHP(3, 93.2-94.8). All cutters with slider as secondary pitch.
Cody Delvecchio RHP(2, 94.2-96.8).  2025 draft pick. First pro appearance.
Darien Smith RHP(0, 92.1-94.8)
Ben Peterson RHP(0, 93.5-96.8).  

Additional Notes:  

After 3 game the Giants hitters spring K rate is 18.5% compared to 22.7% last regular season.  OK, mostly different batters, weaker competition, etc.  Still, the team has scored several runs simply by putting the ball in play.

Jung Hoo Lee threw out another runner at home plate from RF.  I could see his throwing arm becoming a real point of pride for the Hoo Lee Gans.  

Rafael Devers 1B and Willy Adames SS are both still looking for their first spring hits.  

Logan Webb RHP makes his first start of the spring tomorrow on the road against the Angels.  

10 comments:

  1. Luis Matos had a 2-out 2-strike single in the 7th inning to increase the Giants lead to 3 runs after Eldridge and Fitzgerald left runners on 1st and 2nd.

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  2. Is it possible that Bader's and Lee's elite arms will rub off, a little, on Ramos?

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately I am afraid arm strength is not a transferrable tool.

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    2. I thought the only tool of Ramos’ that was really questionable was the head tool. Most of his throwing gaffs, IIRC, appeared to be the result of changing his mind mid-arm swing. When he came up throwing and was committed to his target they were decent throws. At least that was my recollection. There may be stats out there that would be more definitive, though I’m not sure how one would measure intent.

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  3. There seems to be a lot of public angst about the bullpen and dearth of proven relievers. I see an abundance of interesting arms and suspect it will work out reasonably well.

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    1. People don't like uncertainty but as Buster pointed out, he could sign the top Closer on the market for a lot of money and there would still be uncertainty. Uncertainty is uncomfortable but it also creates opportunities.

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    2. I haven't been a big fan of signing a closer to a big contract ever since the Giants signed Mark Melancon.in 2017. The best option is developing your own closer.

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    3. There are still at least 18 unsigned free agent relief pitchers as well as a dozen SPs.
      Although the Giants seem to have an endless number of pitchers in camp, there are some that could be beneficial and probably willing to take short term contracts.
      Do you think Buster is still looking?
      For all free agents, signed and unsigned, by position, see:
      https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-free-agents-2025-2026

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  4. Bericoto didn't have a great start last years' SSS in 3A, but, @ 23 yo he was young for the level, so this year will be his test – hopefully he'll either start there or get there soon.

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