Down on the Farm: 4/2/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats at Salt Lake City Bees postponed.

A:  San Jose Giants outscored the Stockton Ports 12-8.

Jhonny Level SS- 3 for 5, SB(1).  BA= .600.

Junior Barajas C- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .400.

Dario Reynoso 3B- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .500.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 3 for 4, 3B, HR(1), BB.  BA= .750.

Andrew Polanco CF- 1 for 4, 2 SB(2).  BA= .250.

Cody Delvecchio RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Great start for Jhonny Level at the top of the batting order.  Hayden Jatczak is a 24 yo signed as an undrafted free agent last summer.  He's a big guy at 6' 4", 237 lbs.  Bats RH.  Cody Delvecchio was the Giants 12'th round draft pick out of UCLA in 2026.  He looked impressive in limited spring training appearances.

Game Wrap 4/2/2026: Giants 7 Mets 2

The Giants played like they had something to prove, individually and collectively and prove it they did with a wire-to-wire win over the Mets.  Even Manager Tony Vitello got into the accountability act with some decisive managing.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 5, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .259.  The solo home run came in add-on time but you can never score too many runs.  

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 5, 3B, 2 R, RBI.  BA= .321.  I read a story on the internets that said Arraez lit up the clubhouse with some pointed comments after yesterday's game.  Although the story sounded plausible it also read like it was written at least in part by AI.  If there is truth in it, Arraez backed it up with another multi-hit game including a 2-out RBI triple in the first inning to get the Giants their first run.  He then scored on Chapman's double.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .222.  Chapman was another guy with something to prove after he got some blowback for his criticism of Casey Schmitt's catching ability.  He hit a 2-out double in the first to drive in Arraez and then scored on an error by the pitcher to give the Giants a 3-1 lead after the first inning.

Daniel Susac C- 3 for 3, BB.  BA= 1.000.  Susac gets his first MLB start and reaches base 4 times.  Alas, he did not figure into the scoring.  

Casey Schmitt 1B- 3 for 3, BB, RBI.  BA= .273.  And speaking of something to prove.  Schmitty was the goat and whipping boy yesterday.  Not only did he reach base 4 times but also looked much more confident on defense making some plays that weren't so easy.  

Robbie Ray LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.38.  Typical Robbie Ray start keeping his team in the game but with inconsistent command and a lot of pitches thrown.  Vitello took him out at 97 pitches after he recorded the first out of the 6'th inning. And who should he bring in but Ryan Walker RHP who got lucky on a savvy ABS challenge by Daniel Susac on a 3-2 pitch and then got the last out on a flyout.  Welp, that is certainly one way to announce your closer is no longer the closer.  

Blade Tidwell RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Another bold managing move that may signal a new strategy. Instead of using multiple relievers for an inning each when the Giants have a big lead, Vitello has now twice brought in a reliever and let them work the rest of the game, saving the high leverage relievers for a closer game.  We'll monitor this situation going forward, but so far I like it.  

The Win improves the Giants record to 3-4 and leaves them 1.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, time with the D'Backs.

Tyler Mahle RHP gets the ball tomorrow facing Nolan McLean RHP.  

Down on the Farm: 4/1/2026

AAA:  The Sacramento River Cats tamed the Salt Lake City Bees 10-5.

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 2 for 4, 2B, BB, HBP.  BA= .278.

Grant McCray RF- 2 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .316.

Eric Haase C- 3 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .600.

Thomas Gavello SS- 2 for 5, HR(1).  BA= .188.

John Michael Bertrand LHP- 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.14.

Marques Johnson RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

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

Eric Haase was released on 3/25/2026 but re-signed 3/31 to a minor league contract.  

 

Game Wrap 4/1/2026: Padres 7 Giants 1

A pair of errors leading to two unearned runs were probably the difference in this game on a day the lineup once again struggled against good pitching.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 3 for 4, 2B, SB(2).  BA= .304.  Arraez had 3 of the Giants 4 hits and made a nifty play on defense ranging far to his left and throwing a perfect strike to Adrian Houser covering first to retire Jackson Merrill, a fast runner, in the third inning.  

Adrian Houser RHP- 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.69.  Houser pitched well and deserved a better outcome both with more run support and with better fielding behind him.  In the first inning with 2 outs, Jackson Merrill was running on the pitch and came all the way around to score when Schmitt had the throw from Matt Chapman, which should have been out number 3, clank off his glove down the RF line.  Then in the 5'th Chapman made another throw with two outs that clanked off Schmitt's glove but this time the scorer gave the error to Chapman.  The one earned run Houser allowed came in the 6'th inning when he was obviously tiring. Without those two errors his pitch count might have been lower and he might have gotten through the 6'th before hitting his wall.

Caleb Kilian RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Kilian may be the comeback story of the year.  

Jose Butto RHP- 0.1 IP, 3 H 4 R, 4 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 22.50.  Butto didn't have it as was having to wear it when he suffered an apparent injury.  Not sure what all was going on out on the mound but Kuip commented that Butto did not look happy.  Ryan Borucki LHP came on and got the last 2 outs.  

The Giants season record drops to 2-4.  They return to Oracle Park tomorrow evening to start a 4-game series against the Mets with Robbie Ray LHP facing David Peterson LHP.

Down on the Farm: 3/31/2026

 AAA:  The Salt Lake City Bees swarmed the Sacramento River Cats 13-5:

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 4 for 4, 2B.  BA= .500.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.

Not much else to see here.  If recall correctly, Lonsway looked pretty good in a couple of spring training appearances.

Game Wrap 3/31/2026: Giants 9 Padres 3

Willy Adames led off the game with a home run and the Giants never looked back in spite of a shaky start by Logan Webb.  Key Lines:

Willy Adames SS- 4 for 5, 2B, HR(1), 2 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .300.  Adames looked relaxed and dialed in at the plate,  made multiple strong defensive plays and was the star of the game.  Great to see this early in the season.  

Heliot Ramos LF- 1 for 4, BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .222.  Ramos flied out with one out and the bases loaded in the second inning but picked himself up by singling in two runs in another bases-loaded situation in the 6'th inning to break the game open.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 5, HR(1), 2 R, RBI.  BA= .222.  Chapman's solo home run in the third inning gave the Giants a 4-0 lead and enabled them to keep the lead after the Padres scored 3 off Logan Webb in the bottom of the inning.

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 3 for 5, 2 2B, 3 RBI.  BA= .222.  Lee barely missed a third double on a rope down the RF line that landed foul but about a foot and half.  He followed that up with a bloop single that drove in a run.  As Vin Scully would say, "go figure!"  Oh, and .222 seems to be a popular batting average today.

Every member of the starting lineup had at least one hit.

Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 7.36.    Webb was shaky through 3 innings and Manager Tony Vitello had J. T. Brubaker up in the bullpen as pitch count soared through a 3-run third inning.  Webb got through the 4'th inning on two line-outs and a ground out.  He then struck out the heart of the Padres batting order in the 5'th, Fernando Tatis RF, Manny Machado 3B and Jackson Merrill CF.  By now, Webb's pitch count was up to 97 but Vitello let him go out for the 6'th.  That did not look like such a great idea when Webb went to a 3-1 count on the first batter, but he got 3 grounders on 3 pitches to get out of the inning after 104 pitches and recording a Quality Start.  Great comeback by Webb who was enabled by a great night for the lineup.

Brubaker worked two scoreless innings and Jose Butto RHP pitched a scoreless 9'th inning to secure the Giants win.

The Giants record improved to 2-3 and they are tied with the D'Backs 2 games behind the Dodgers who are at 4-1.

Adrian Houser RHP makes his first start of the season tomorrow afternoon facing Nick Pivetta RHP who is coming off a disaster start so he'll be looking to bounce back.

Game Wrap 3/30/2026: Giants 3 Padres 2

 

Harrison Bader jump-started the scoring with a solo home run to lead off the third inning.  The bottom of the lineup added two more runs in the 4'th inning in support of Landen Roupp's stellar start and the Giants survived a shaky 9'th inning by Ryan Walker for their first win of the season.  Key Lines:

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 4, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .143.  Bader unloaded on his old college teammate, Walker Buehler RHP, to give Roupp a lead he did not give up.

Casey Schmitt 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, SB(1), RBI.  BA= .167.  There have been calls from within the Giants blogosphere for Encarnacion instead of Schmitt in the lineup.  Schmitty quieted those calls with a 2-hit performance tonight as well as some nifty fielding plays at first base.

Landen Roupp RHP- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's, 7/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.  I am pretty sure if this game was in Oracle Park, Roupp would have gotten a standing O as he walked off the field after the 6'th inning.  A masterful performance of mixing pitches and locations to keep the Padres lineup off balance all evening.  Once again, his curveball was particularly effective.  

Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.  Winn's sinker-split combo was unhittable and had Kruk and Kuip commenting that he has Closer's stuff.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 7.71.  Walker picks up right where he left off last season.  He's a 2-pitch pitcher and doesn't have command of either one.  Do you trust him with anything less than a 3-run lead?  Do you trust him with a 3-run lead?

The win improves the Giants record to 1-3 good enough for a tie for 2'nd place in the NL West.

Logan Webb RHP tries to shake off his Opening Day loss tomorrow evening facing German Marquez RHP.

The Giants made three roster moves today:  

Luis Matos OF was traded to the Brewers for cash considerations.  Not sure if the BrewCrew has the playing time Matos needs to succeed, but otherwise it seems like a perfect landing for him.

The Giants traded with the Tigers for Dylan Smith RHP for cash considerations. He was recently DFA'd off the Tigers Roster.  He pitched at multiple levels last season including 13 innings for the Tigers with a 1.38 ERA despite a 2.77 K/9.  He is a hard thrower with a FB averaging 95 MPH and had a much higher K/9 in the minors.  He still has 2 options so can be assigned to AAA Sacramento.  

Tyler Fitzgerald UT was DFA'd.  He had one insane stretch from 7/9/2024-8/14/2026 where he hit 13 home runs.  High K rates eventually caught up with him.  He regressed badly and never recovered.

Down on the Farm: 3/29/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outlasted the El Paso Chihuahuas 5-4(11 innings):

Drew Gilbert LF- 3 for 5, Sac.   BA= .333.

Jesus Rodriguez C- 2 for 5, 2B, SF.  BA= .200.  

Bryce Eldridge DH- 1 for 4, HBP.  BA= .300.

Blade Tidwell RHP- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 0/4 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.86.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Gregory Santos RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 0.00.

Braxton Roxby RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, W(1-0).  ERA= 9.00.

Jesus Rodriguez off to a slow start but bat came alive in the late innings and he hit the game-winning Sac Fly.  Tidwell and McDonald two very different pitchers as evidenced by their reciprocal groundball/flyball ratios.

Thanks to BaseballJeff1 on Bluesky for the heads up on some minor league player releases:

Brent Honeywell RHP

Tyler Myrick RHP

Miguel Blanco OF

Donovan McIntyre OF

Cale Lansville RHP

Quinn McDaniel 2B

Cole Foster IF

Ian Villers RHP

Nick Sinacola RHP

Jesus Alexander C

Jorge Ramirez C

Juan Perez C

Down on the Farm: 3/28/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats slipped past the El Paso Chihuahuas 5-4(10 innings):

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .333.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .333.

Logan Porter C- 1 for 5, 3B.  BA= .200.

Carson Seymour RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 2/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.

Tristan Beck RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 2/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Seymour needs to get stretched back out after being used mostly in relief in spring training.   

Game Wrap 3/28/2026: Yankees 3 Giants 1

 

4 GIDP's kept the Giants lineup from capitalizing on 9 hits and 12 baserunners in a game that led to some second-guessing for Manager Tony Vitello.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, R.  BA= .100.  The top of the lineup did what it's supposed to do in the third inning when Lee doubled to lead off and Matt Chapman singled him home.  

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .273.

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .250.  When the 3 and 4 hitters go 4 for 8 with a double and a SB and yet have 0 R and 0 RBI, something is seriously messed up.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. Mahle did not pitch poorly but threw 80 pitches in 4 innings.  

Ryan Borucki LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.40.  This is where the 3 batter rule bites.  Borucki easily got two outs against lefty batters which brought up Aaron Judge with another lefty batter, Cody Bellinger, on deck.  There is a lot of talk about how Tony Vitello should have put up 4 fingers but Bellinger historically has a pretty severe reverse split and savages LHP's.  As it turned out Judge homered and Bellinger popped out.  IMO Vitello showed his rookiness by not being forceful enough in pointing that out in his postgame presser.  

Tony Vitello Manager- Another critique comes from letting Jung Hoo Lee bat against Tim Hill LHP in the 7'th inning.  Again, most managers are not going to pinch-hit in a 2-out, no runners on base situation.  Then there was Jared Oliva pinch-running for Adames in the 9'th which is defendable but it comes after Adames was lowered to #6 in the batting order amid rumors of some friction between him and Vitello.  Adames just said he was surprised about getting taken out.  Then there was Patrick Bailey batting with one out and runners at 1B and 2B and GIDPing, but Bailey was batting left against David Bednar RHP and there were no lefty batters on the bench.  

The Giants and Tony Vitello have a day off in San Diego to think about it all.  

Landen Roupp RHP starts game 1 of the series on Monday against Walker Buehler RHP which is another opportunity for second-guessing all by itself.  

Down on the Farm: 3/27/2026

AAA:  El Paso Chihuahuas mauled the Sacramento River Cats 9-3:

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 2, 3 BB.  BA= .500.

Will Brennan RF- 2 for 5.  BA= .400.

Victor Bericoto DH- 2 for 5.  BA= .400 

Grant McCray LF- 3 for 3, BB.  BA= 1.000.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 9.00

John Bertrand LHP- 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 9.00.

Drew Gilbert went 1 for 4 and had the only XBH.  It's troubling that John Bertrand shut down the Giants lineup on Monday albeit mostly against reserves.  

Game Wrap 3/27/2026: Yankees 3 Giants 0

 

The Giants reached historic levels of run-scoring futility as they followed up a 3-hit shutout on Wednesday with a 1-hit shutout today adding 13 strikeouts in the process.   Key Lines:

Robbie Ray LHP- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 3.38.  Ray pitched better than Logan Webb RHP on Wednesday but it didn't matter when a 9-inning shutout was required just to stay even.  

Heliot Ramos LF got the Giants only hit to go with one of the Giants 3 hits on Wednesday making him  the only Giants batter to get a hit in both games.

The #3 and #4 batters, Rafael Devers DH and Willy Adames SS struck out 3 times each.  

Per MCC per Duane Kuiper in his postgame comments, the 4 hits in these two losses are the fewest to start the season in the entire 144 years of franchise history and it ties the 1909 White Sox for fewest in all of MLB history.  

Per Sarah Langs, this is the first time in Yankees history they have shut out their opponent in each of the first two games of the season.

Per Z. Miller in the MCC Game Summary comments, Per Associated Press the 2026 Giants are the first team in MLB history to record 0 Runs on 5 hits or less in MLB history.

Tyler Mahle RHP tries to right the ship in Game 3 of the series tomorrow facing Will Warren RHP  Unfortunately it's one of those darn Fox Sports 4:15 PM starts.

Opening Day Game Wrap 3/25/2026: Yankees 7 Giants 0

 

The Yankees dominated the Giants in every phase of the game jumping on Logan Webb for all 7 of their runs, 6 earned, while completely shutting down the Giants lineup.  Key Lines:

Logan Webb RHP- 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 10.80.  Mike Krukow thought Webb was tipping his pitches in the second inning.  Krukow knows pitching and I thought of that myself as the Yanks teed off on pitch after pitch.  He also did not command his pitches well.  One more angle which may or may not have any connection:  Webb has been rocked in both appearances after coming back from the WBC in which he pitched very well and showed no sign of injury.  Webb has a long history of early season struggles but this was the worst.  Hopefully he figures it out before his next start.

In the end it probably didn't matter how badly Webb pitched as the lineup managed just 3 hits, 2 walks, HBP and E and never came close to threatening to score after the first inning.  That should not happen to a lineup as high-priced as the Giants.   It continues to happen way too often and calls into question Buster Posey's roster construction, especially the players with 9-figure, long-term contracts.  

The Giants get a day to think about this one.  Robbie Ray LHP, the Giants best pitcher in in spring training, takes the mound Friday afternoon facing Cam Schlittler RHP in game 2 of the season.

Exhibition Game Wrap 3/24/2026: Giants 8 Sultanes 2

 Jung Hoo Lee's 3-run homer was the big hit in Landen Roupp's final preseason start.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 1 for 1, HR, BB, R, 3 RBI.  Lee's big hit came after Devers and Adames drew walks and broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the 4'th inning.

Landen Roupp RHP- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  The Giants will be happy if this is his average start for the season.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  I've lost track of who's been optioned or reassigned.  Is Fulmer still officially on the spring roster?

Blade Tidwell RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  Rough spring for Tidwell after drawing raves early in camp.  He finishes the preseason on a positive note.

Logan Webb RHP gets the Opening Day start against the Yankees in Oracle Park facing Max Fried LHP.  Game is televised but on Netflix at 5:05 PM PDT.

Exhibition Game Wrap 3/23/2026: Giants 10 Sultanes 2

 The Giants lineup hit 3 home runs to back a bullpen game by the pitching staff in a runaway win againte the Monterrey Sultanes of the Mexican League.  Key Lines:

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, HR, BB, R, RBI.  Hopefully Adames starts this season a little more relaxed than last year when he was coming off signing his big contract.

Casey Schmitt 1B- 2 for 3, R.  Schmitt started at 1B with Devers at DH.

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 1, HR, R, 3 RBI.  Eldridge's stay in AAA may be short.

Jared Oliva CF- 2 for 3, R, RBI.  Harrison Bader is expected to start in CF on Opening Day but Oliva is making a case for a roster spot as a reserve OF.

Tyler Fitzgerald 2B/SS- 1 for 1, HR, R, 2 RBI.  Seems like Christian Koss is ahead of Fitz on the depth chart but Fitz made the most of this opportunity.

Pitchers- 9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 9 K's.  Carson Seymour gave up both runs.  Remarkably, the collective pitching gave up no walks.  

Giants and Sultanes play one more exhibition tonight before Opening Day on Wednesday.

Exhibition Game Wrap 3/22/2026: River Cats 2 Giants 1

 

The good news is Bryce Eldridge was the star of the game.  The bad news is he played for the River Cats.  Key Lines:

Jerar Encarnacion 1B- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  It seems like Encarnacion made the team.

Bryce Eldridge 1B(River Cats)- 2 for 3, 2B, HR.  It would seem Eldridge won't stay in AAA long.

Nate Furman DH(River Cats):  1 for 3, HR.  Furman had a good spring.  Does this mean he is on the AAA roster?

Tyler Mahle RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  Final tune up before the regular season.  Eldridge's HR in the 4'th inning the only damage.ge

John Michael Bertrand LHP(River Cats)- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's, 6/3 GO/AO.  Not the Giants starting lineup but he faced good hitters.  

J. T. Brubaker RHP and Keaton Winn RHP pitched scoreless innings for the Giants.  Wilkin Ramos RHP pitched 2 scoreless frames for the River Cats.  Jose Butto RHP gave up Furman's game-winning HR.

The Giants play the Monterrey Sultanes from the Mexican League in Oracle Park tonight.  Game is on NBCSBA

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/21/2026: Giants 10 Guardians 7

 

The Giants lineup outscored the Guardians on the final day of Cactus League competition of the spring.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee 2 for 3, HR(1), 2 R, RBI.  BA= .455.  Lee seemed to figure out his path to major league stardom after the All-Star break last season.  He's had a big spring.  Interesting he batted leadoff in this Cactus League finale which is where I think he should bat on Opening Day.

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 3, 2B, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .405.  This was Chapman's 7'th double of the spring.  He consistently drover the ball into the gaps all spring.

Rafael Devers DH- 3 for 4, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .172.  Is Devers bat heating up just in time for the season to start?

Will Brennan LF- 1 for 1, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .325.  If the Giants want a lefty bench bat on the roster, it appears Brennan won the spring competition over Drew Gilbert.  

Patrick Bailey C- 2 for 3, R.  BA= .286.  Bailey has had a fine spring.  If he can just hit somewhere in the mid-.200's WAR should skyrocket.  

Jared Oliva CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 R, 3 RBI.  BA= .375.  Oliva is getting a long look.  His game-changing speed and CF D could just win him a roster spot which complicates things for Luis Matos who is out of options.  Can Tony Vitello live with an all right-handed bench?

Robbie Ray LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.37.  Ray is another year removed from an extended absence for elbow surgery and he's pitching for a contract.  He looks ready to start the season.

Joey Lucchesi LHP(3.00) and Erik Miller LHP(0.00) pitched scoreless innings.  Matt Gage LHP had a strong spring.  Their situation suddenly became a lot less certain with the signing of Ryan Borucki LHP to a major league contract.  Miller is the only member of that quartet with options.

The Giants break camp and head north and west to Sacramento where Tyler Mahle RHP will get his final tune-up start before the season against the Giants AAA squad.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/20/2026: Rangers 6 Giants 5

The Rangers erupted for 6 runs in the 8'th inning to nip the Giants in the road half of a split-squad doubleheader.  Key Lines:

Drew Gilbert CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .281.  Gilbert is making a late push to make the team.

Will Brennan LF- 1 for 4, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .308.  If carrying a lefty-hitting reserve OF is a priority, it comes down to Gilbert vs Brennan.  Brennan has had the stronger spring overall.

Jesus Rodriguez C- 1 for 3, HR(2), BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .351.  What a promising young hitter!  Needs more experience behind the plate.

Charlie Szykowny 1B- 3 for 3, HR(1), BB, 2 R, RBI.  BA= 1.000.  Szykowny had a breakout season last year in A+ ball.  AA will be the big test this year.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.48.  Versatile reliever who will almost certainly make the team.

Caleb Kilian RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.96.   Kilian should make the team.  He has a high 90's FB he throws out of a short-arm delivery making it difficult for batters to time.

Matt Gage LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.84.  Gage and Erik Miller will likely be the lefties out of the pen.  Will Joey Lucchesi start the season in AAA due to the late signing?

Michael Fulmer RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.35.  Fulmer started the spring hot but never gained velocity and struggled over his last several appearances.  

Robbie Ray LHP makes his 6'th spring start today against the Guardians in the Cactus League finale in Scottsdale.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/20/2026: Giants 5 Royals 2

In the home half of a split-squad doubleheader, Adrian Houser had a Quality Start and Matt Chapman led the lineup with a 2-run blast in the third inning.  Key Lines:

Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 2, HR(3), BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .412.  Chapman stayed hot all spring.  Can he keep it going in the regular season?

Willy Adames SS- 1 for 3, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .122.  Adames started the spring ice cold but warmed up a bit lately.  Let's hope he starts the season relaxed and not feeling like he has to win every game all by himself.  

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 3, RBI.  BA= .421.  Another guy who needs to stay within himself once the season starts.

Jared Oliva PF/CF- 0 for 0, BB, SB(14).  BA= .351.  Game-changing speed.

Casey Schmitt 1B/2B- 0 for 1, 2 BB, R.  BA= .304.  Remember when Casey Schmitt was allergic to walks?  His OBP is .385 this spring although these two walks are a big part of that. 

Adrian Houser RHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.46.  Giants don't need anything fancy from Houser.  Quality Starts will get the job done.

Carson Seymour RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.92.  Although wildly different styles of pitching, Seymour's results are similar to Tyler Rogers.  Can he fill a similar role in the bullpen?

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.  Walker came into the spring as the presumptive Closer.  He has not done anything to lose the role.  We'll see if last season's struggles are behind him.

Robbie Ray LHP makes his 6'th start of the spring in tomorrow's Cactus League finale against the Guardians in Scottsdale.

Spring Breakout Game Wrap 3/19/2026: Reds 10 Giants 1

 

All I am going to say about this game is more of the Reds prospects, including their starting pitcher, were significantly older and more advanced in their development than the players the Giants fielded.  As Joe Ritzo noted on the TV broadcast, Keyner Martinez RHP probably had the most impressive game for the Giants.  After allowing 2 runs on 3 hits to the first 3 batters, he settled down and recorded 6 consecutive groundball outs between two K's.   

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/19/2026: Giants 14 Rockies 11

 

Logan Webb had a major letdown coming off the intensity of the WBC but the lineup picked him up and the Giants took a high-scoring game from the Rockies on the road.  Key Lines:

Drew Gilbert DH- 3 for 5, 3B, BB, 2 R.  BA= .259.  Gilbert got a late start due to injury but stated his case today.  Is it too little, too late?

Jared Oliva CF- 2 for 5, 2 2B, SB(13), 2 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .351.  Oliva has shown he is capable of winning a game with his speed alone.  No other player in camp or in recent memory could claim that.  And what is the old saying?  Speed never slumps?  He is also a strong defender in CF.  The rest may not matter but he also hit well.  

Daniel Susac C- 2 for 3, HR(2), 2 R, RBI.  BA= .333.  Susac is here as a Rule 5 Draft pick.  If he doesn't make the team he must be either traded or offered back to the A's.  He came to camp hitting the ball hard and never let up.  It's very hard to imagine they would let him go after the spring he had and after trading for his rights.

Eric Haase C- 1 for 1, BB, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .286.  Haase has had a good spring too.  He has an opt-out.  Is there a way for the Giants to keep both him and Susac?

Victor Bericoto 1B- 2 for 3, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .474.  Bericoto was the best hitter in camp, wire-to-wire.

Jerar Encarnacion 1B- 2 for 2, 2B, R, 2 RBI.  BA= .319.  Encarnacion is out of options.  With the way he came on late I doubt the Giants want to lose him to waivers.  With Eldridge's option, Jerar may have won himself a roster spot as a DH and Reserve OF/1B.  

Luis Matos RF- 2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .283.  Matos says "Hey!  Don't forget about me!"

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 5, RBI.  BA= .311.  Schmitt had a strong spring.  

Christian Koss SS- 2 for 5, HR(1), 2 R, 2 RBI.  BA= .417.  Koss may be on the bubble simply because of the numbers game but he has certainly done everything any player could do to make the team. FWIW, he is probably a little better defensive SS than Casey Schmitt.  One problem for the Giants is all the players who appear to be in line for reserve roles on the position side bat right handed.  

Logan Webb RHP- 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 8/1 GO/AO.  We'll chalk this one up to a letdown coming off the WBC in which Webb performed very well.

J. T. Brubaker RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.45.  Brubaker appears to have won himself a swingman/long reliever role.  

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Sanchez had a perfect spring but with Erik Miller apparently healthy again and Joey Lucchesi LHP signed late, is there room in the bullpen for him?

While we talked about the Cactus League in the past tense there are 3 more games to go, a split squad tomorrow and a game on Saturday.  Adrian Houser RHP starts the home game against the Royals and Spencer Bivens RHP gets the ball for the road game against the Rangers tomorrow.

As we mentioned, Bryce Eldridge was optioned to the minors.  Theoretically he could be called back for Opening Day but it would appear he will start the season in AAA to work on strike zone management.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/18/2026: Dodgers 5 Giants 1(8 innings)

 

Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers lineup were to much for Landen Roupp and the Giants pitchers and the Giants lineup wilted in the triple digit temperatures at Camelback Ranch.  Key Lines:

Victor Bericoto RF- 1 for 1, HR(3).  BA= .457.  The Giants lineup managed just 4 hits and Bericoto's home run over the batter's eye in CF was the only one that did damage.  His 3 homers leads the Giants on the spring.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.15.  Roupp is the type of pitcher who probably does not match up well against this Dodgers lineup and he's far from alone in that.  Looking back this may be a pretty good start agains them.

Keaton Winn RHP(6.14), Joey Lucchesi LHP(4.50) and Erik Miller LHP(0.00) pitched shutout innings.  Trevor McDonald RHP got nicked for a 2-run HR by Nick Senzel.  

The game was mercifully called after 8 innings.  

Logan Webb RHP takes the mound on the road against the Rockies at 6:00 PM.  The Giants prospects take on the Red prospects on TV in Scottsdale with Keyner Martinez RHP getting the start there.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/16/2026: Padres 3 Giants 1

Tyler Mahle had a sparkling start but was upstaged by Walker Buehler in a road loss to the Padres.  Key Lines:

Jared Oliva LF- 0 for 1, HBP, Sac, SB(12).  BA= .344.  Oliva is getting a long look.  He appears to have game-changing speed.

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 1 for 2, 2B, BB.  BA= .429.  Lee is back from the WBC.  Looking for a big season from him.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 3, 2B.  BA= .346.  Tough to see a path to a roster spot for Kennedy despite a strong spring. 

Jesus Rodriguez 2B/C- 2 for 4.  BA= .353.  This guy has one of the shortest, quickest swings I've ever seen.   No doubt he can hit.  Is there a path to a roster spot?

Tyler Mahle RHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.  That is good pitching!  Mahle's main challenge this season is staying healthy.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  I assume Walker goes into the season as the Closer.  Hopefully it's a bounce back year.  

Walker Buehler RHP(Padres)- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 3.09.  This is going to turn out to be a great pick up for the Padres on a minor league deal no less.  I just know it.  Buster!  How could you let this happen?

The Giants have today off.  They are on the road against the Dodgers on Wednesday, starters TBD.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/15/2026: Giants 7 Brewers 1

 

Jerar Encarnacion's 3-run home run provided more than enough runs as Robbie Ray and the Giants pitchers came within one out of a combined perfect game.  Key Lines: 

Matt Chapman 3B- 3 for 3, 2 2B, R.  BA= .448.  Chapman keeps hammering the ball.  6 doubles and 2 home runs out of 13 hits on the spring.

Grant McCray CF- 2 for 2, BB, 2 SB(3), R.  BA= .267.  One of his hits was a perfect push bunt down the 3B line that rolled to a stop on the grass.  An otherwise sparkling performance was marred by a pickoff from 2B.  

Bryce Eldridge DH- 1 for 2, 2 BB, R, RBI.  BA= .250.  413 OBP, .913 OPS.  But that comes with a 36% K rate.  I think the Giants would happily take that line for the season but is it sustainable?

Jerar Encarnacion LF- 1 for 3, HR(2), R, 3 RBI.  BA= .302.  Jerar is coming on like gangbusters and might just be the odds on favorite to start the season as the primary DH.  Option situation is a 2-edged sword.  Probably slightly increases chances of making the Opening Day roster.  If he doesn't he hits the DFA roulette wheel.

Christian Koss 2B- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .429.  Koss continues to look good at the plate and made a circus catch in shallow RF but got picked off 1B.  

Robbie Ray LHP- 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 1.23.  Sparkling performance by Ray.  Are the stars aligning for a huge season?  He's pitching for a new contract and he's an additional year away from surgery.

Carson Seymour RHP, Tristan Beck RHP and Matt Gage LHP combined for 3 more perfect innings.  Gregory Santos RHP got two outs in the 9'th but then gave up a walk and a double to end the perfect game, no-hitter and shutout within 2 batters.

Tyler Mahle RHP makes his fourth start of the spring today against the Padres in Peoria.  

Bad news for Hayden Birdsong RHP but maybe not surprising in retrospect.  Grade 2 UCL and forearm strain.  Seeking a second opinion.  It appears a long layoff is in his future no matter what the recommended treatment.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/14/2026: D'Backs 8 Giants 7

 

The Giants built an early lead behind Rafael Devers hitting and Adrian Houser's pitching but Keaton Winn had a rough day opening the door for a D'backs comeback.  Key Lines:

Jesus Rodriguez LF- 2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .345.  This kid looks like a serious hitter.  Is there a path for both him and Daniel Susac to make the Opening Day roster with Rodriguez filling a utility/3'rd catcher role?  

Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 3, HR(1), 2 R, 3 RBI.  BA= .095.  Devers 3-run HR gave the Giants a 6-2 lead in the 4'th inning.  He did not look as large on the TV screen today as previous sightings.  

Parks Harber 3B- 1 for 1.  BA= .357.  Harber has had a good spring.  As he was going from first to third on Eric Haase's double he pulled up lame and skipped into 3B then limped off the field with a hammy strain.  Hard to see him not missing at least 4-6 weeks.  

Daniel Susac C- 2 for 3, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .345.  Giants can't let this Rule 5 Draft pick go back to the A's, right?

Christian Koss 2B- 2 for 3, R.  BA= .423.  Koss just keeps going and going and.....

Jared Oliva PR- 0 for 0, SB(10).  BA= .367.  Oliva almost pulled off manufacturing a run for the second game in a row.  This time he pinch ran for Buddy Kennedy who drew a leadoff walk in the 9'th inning.  Oliva stole 2B then went to 3B on a wild pitch.  He as stranded there on a groundout and two K's.  It looked like he could have come home on the groundout but got a late read.  Bryce Eldridge came up as a PH with 1-out.  He looked at two strikes then swung through a high and tight fastball.  Can't help but think that AB was a test for the kid to see if he could make contact when he had to.  He didn't.  

Adrian Houser RHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's, 8/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.86.  I think you can rest assured Houser is going to be in the rotation to start the season.  

Keaton Winn RHP- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 7.11.  Winn has a disaster appearance after looking unhittable all spring.

Robbie Ray LHP makes his 5'th spring start today against the Brewers in Scottsdale.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/13/2026: Reds 1 Giants 0

The Reds scored a run in the first inning and made it stand up in a loss for the Giants in the road half of a split-squad doubleheader.  Key Lines;

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .242.  The double left the bat at 111 MPH.  6 of Eldridge's 8 hits have gone for extra bases.  

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 9.64.  A far better start for Whiz than his last two.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 0. H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 0.00.  Walker came into camp as the presumptive Closer.  So far, he has done nothing to lose that designation.

J. T. Brubaker RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K's, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.00.  Brubaker is on a MLB contract so he has a roster spot to lose.  So far he has done nothing to lose it.

Adrian Houser RHP gets the start at home in a televised game tomorrow in Scottsdale facing the D'Backs and Zac Gallen RHP.

Logan Webb RHP was electric for Team USA in a win over Team Canada in the WBC:  4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/13/2026: Reds 6 Giants 1

The Giants lineup struggled while the pitching was subpar as they lost the home half of a split-squad doubleheader.  Key Lines:

Jerar Encarnacion RF/LF- 2 for 4, 2B, RBI.  BA= .308.  Encarnacion seems to be batting his way into contention for a reserve OF/1B/DH role as well as a RH bat off the bench.  

Matt Chapman 3B and Parks Harber 3B each hit doubles in 2 AB. 

Willy Adames SS, Rafael Devers 1B, Patrick Bailey C and Harrison Bader CF went a combined 0 for 0 for 11.

Landen Roupp RHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K's, 3/0 GO/AO.  Roupp had a rough first inning giving up a 1-out triple, walk, walk to load the bases.  J. J. Bleday singled on a ball that deflected off Buddy Kennedy 2B.  Now, Luis Arraez would have.....wait!  Nevermind!  He settled down and got out of the inning on a pair of comebackers then pitched two more scoreless frames.  So no worries about Roupp.  

Erik Miller LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K'S.  ERA= 0.00.  Miller was out with a backache but came back strong in his first spring appearance.

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/12/2026: Giants 3 White Sox 3

Jared Oliva created a run in the 9'th inning with his speed on the basepaths to give the Giants a come-from-behind tie in Scottsdale.  Key Lines:

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .429.  Bader is back from the WBC.(I haven't really been following the WBC.  Did he play in it?)

Rafael Devers DH- 0 for 4.  BA= .000.  IDK, Devers looks really big and out of shape to my eye.

Matt Chapman 3B- 2 for 3, R, RBI.  Chapman has been hot all spring.  

Bryce Eldridge 1B- 0 for 2, BB, 2 K's.  BA= .241.  Eldridge looked really bad on the 2 K's but also drew a walk.  Definitely shaping up to be a 3-true outcomes guy.  On one of the K's, the TV camera showed Will Clark looking on from the dugout and you could tell he was cringing inside.  Kuip mentioned the visual similarity to Brandon Belt when he's in the batter's box.  

Daniel Susac C- 1 for 2, BB.  BA= .333.  Nice oppo-field approach on the single.  Giants can't let this Rule 5 pick they traded for go, right?

Jared Oliva PR- 0 for 0, 2 SB(9), R.  BA= .407.  With the Giants trailing 3-2 in the top of the 9'th inning, Eric Haase drew a 1-out walk.  Oliva came in as PR.  He stole both 2B and 3B on pitches that were essentially pitch-outs and he was on the bag before the throws even hit the fielder's gloves.  He scored on Jerar Encarnacion's sac fly.  I don't remember when the Giants every had a player with that kind of game-changing speed and it might just win him a roster spot.  Oh, and I've been pronouncing his name Oleeva and wondering if he's related to former Twins star Tony Oliva, but I noticed Kuip pronounced it Ahliva. 

Trevor McDonald RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, 7/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 1.80.  McDonald gave up 2 solo HR's but the secondary stats look great.  The mid-90's FB has serious late sink you can see on the TV and it had ChiSox batters killing worms.  

Matt Gage LHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.60.  Gage is probably winning a roster spot, especially if Erik Miller starts the season on the shelf.  

Keaton Winn RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.42.  More high-90's heat with a diving split.  Looks like Closer stuff to me. 

Caleb Kilian RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 1.42.  Another strong case for a roster spot.

Juan Sanchez LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  Sanchez was wild and loaded the bases with one out.  Pitching Coach Justin Meccage came out for a chat.  Comebacker GIDP.  Just like that!

Giants play split-squad games against the Reds today with Carson Whisenhunt LHP starting the road game and Landen Roupp RHP starting the home game.  

Notes:  

Hayden Birdsong RHP is being evaluated for elbow soreness.  

Will Bednar RHP, Diego Cartaya C, Bo Davidson OF and Trent Harris RHP were reassigned to minor league camp.  Bednar's early demotion comes as a minor surprise.

Erik Miller LHP is scheduled to make his first spring appearance today.