Newcomers Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez had quiet games but Casey Schmitt continued his hot hitting and Rafael Devers had 2 RBI's to back an electric start from Trevor McDonald. Key Lines:
Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 3, HR(5), BB R, RBI. BA= .308. Schmitt got the Giants even from a first-inning Jackson Merrill home run with a blast of his own in the bottom of the first. He also made several nifty looking plays from 3B.
Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 3, 2 2B, Sac, 2 R. BA= .316. Arraez continues to pepper the field with base hits while playing unexpectedly great defense at 2B. One play in particular in this game was quite spectacular. I know Casey Schmitt must move around to find playing time but I hope he doesn't take too much PT away from Arraez who is a breath of fresh air and one of the few bright spots from the first month+ of the season.
Rafael Devers 1B- 1 for 2, BB, SF, 2 RBI. BA= .218. Still no power but Devers at least has a 5-game hit streak going and appears to be hustling with better body language the last 2-3 games. Maybe having Eldridge on the team will light a fire under him.
Trevor McDonald RHP- 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K's, 10/1 GO/AO. ERA= 1.29. I have always said McDonald's stuff will play better in MLB ballparks than the PCL. He features a groundball-inducing hard sinker with a tight, tight slider. He only threw 81 pitches in his 7 innings of work and probably could have finished the game himself but I agree with not pushing the kid too hard too soon. BTW, the TV feed showed Ryan Walker warming up in the bullpen in the 7'th inning. I just went "oh no!"
Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO. ERA= 2.45. You don't generally like your late-inning guys getting flyball outs but Winn got through the inning unscathed.
Caleb Kilian RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 1.13. If this was a 1-run ballgame in the 9'th we'd be singing a different tune but Kilian calmly came back from a leadoff HR to retire the next 3 batters, Tatis Jr, Merrill and Machado with two K's and a GO.
Logan Webb RHP tries to keep the good vibes going tomorrow evening facing Walker Buehler RHP.
I sure hope they don't send McDonald back down after that gutsy performance. It seems like he's earned another start. And I think it's time to pass the baton to Schmitt as the Giants' everyday third baseman.
ReplyDeleteNice idea, but what do you do with Chapman and his big multi-year no-trade contract?
DeletePay someone enough to take him? Probably cheaper than paying someone to take Devers or Adames...
DeleteFour rookies featured yesterday. The hitters should come along. Not all have a rookie debut like Buster. McDonald was awesome. Remember that I said, if he was in the rotation this season, he'd win ROY. Off to a good start. Hope Kilian continues this. Full time closer material? Would be nice. Go Giants!
ReplyDeleteBuster's first year up at 22 yo wasn't his rookie year, and it wasn't so great.
DeleteIf he makes the HOF, as Will Clark won't, it's because he was a C and Clark was a 1B
Will McDonald now be in the rotation?
ReplyDeleteProbably not...
Schmitt and "Arraez who is (are) a breath of fresh air and one (two) of the few bright spots from the first month+ of the season."
ReplyDeleteRodriguez passed the eye test at catcher. Will need to see how well he throws. If he can effectlvely, Bailey has real competition from two guys.
ReplyDeleteCan't say I agree with Eldridge, who I like a lot, being called up so soon when he may not be ready for everyday MLB. perhaps it's just the temporary jolt factor. we'll see
ReplyDeleteANyways, great news on McDonald. He has always been one of my faves but like most young SPs, consistency is the battle. GREAT start last night, showing how good he can be with his sinker and slider on. I'm a bit on the cautious side and would have waited for another good start in AAA but looks like Boster may have made the right call.
And with all the inconsistent big money long term IF bats, great to see SCHMIDT just keep plastering the ball like he did during his rookie start. Keep on Truckin Casey! No starting spot in the IF based on contracts but needs to be in the lineup every night.
Great time for a Webb Gem tonight!
SteveVA
I am skeptical of how much prospects can learn from a few more days or weeks in AAA, especially the PCL which is an extreme hitter-friendly environment. I have long suspected that all the PCL does is ingrain bad habits. If Eldridge is who he appears to be, bring him up and let him figure it out at the MLB level which he will eventually have to do anyway.
DeletePart of me agrees with that, part of me worries about him being eaten up by MLB pitching like late last year and losing confidence. Nothing to lose for the Giants given how bad they are, just want the best for the kid. Moot point, he's up..let's hope he can get off to a decent start..could be very exciting..
DeletesteveVA