SF Giants Minor Lines 4/16-17

Fun Fact: The SJ Giants have hit 5 HRs thus far on the year. Fun Fact #2: Steven Duggar has hit 4 of them (quick trivia question: who's hit the other?)! Yowza. Sadly video is lacking from Inland Empire, so we'll have to be satisfied with this artist's rendition of Duggar's night that I found on the web:

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HIGHLIGHTS: Steven Duggar went 4 for 6, including double, 2 HRs,

Sacramento lost to Salt Lake City Bees (Angels), 10-5, Sat. night

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
CF	Gorkys Hernandez	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.171
DH	Conor Gillaspie	4	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.324
C	Miguel Olivo	4	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	.238
LF	Darren Ford	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.250	SB (1)

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Ricky Romero	4.0	5	4	4	2	3	0	0	0	4.50	78	47
Albert Suarez L 0-2	4.0	4	5	3	3	1	0	0	0	7.71	64	36

Sacramento lost to Salt Lake City Bees (Angels), 5-4 in 10 inn, Sun

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
LF	Darren Ford	5	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	.280	CS
RF	Jarrett Parker	4	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	.132
C	Miguel Olivo	4	1	1	1	1	0	1	0	3	.240	E (2)
3b	Mitch Delfino	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	.250	DP

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Clayton Blackburn	4.1	6	3	3	1	4	0	1	0	4.35	82	54
Steven Okert	2.2	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	2.70	32	23
Mike Broadway	2.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	5.40	26	18
Phil McCormick L 0-1	1.0	3	2	2	0	1	1	0	0	3.60	20	12

So, let's have some RiverCats "Good News/Bad News" edition.

Good News! The RiverCats are playing .500 ball this year against all PCL teams other than Salt Lake City!

Bad News! They've started their year playing Salt Lake City in 7 out of their first 11 games, and have yet to win against them. They surely won't be sad to see this series end in today's matinee game, after which they won't have to see the Bees again until...let me see... next week? Goldang minor league schedules!

Good news! As expected, Sacramento has a Catcher blasting tape measure shots!

Bad news! Instead of Andrew Susac, it's this guy!

Clayton Blackburn scuffled through a so-so performance yesterday, the kind that have thus far defined his spring. The first inning was a long one (and his defense could have helped him more than it did) and probably contributed to his early exit on a warm day in Sacramento. Blackburn's performances thus far this year haven't been bad, he's not struggling certainly. But I do think it's fair to say that he's opening up the Opportunity Door a bit for other starters in the system to be the next man called up if a starter goes down. Certainly, he came to camp in a position to lock himself into the "first starter up" slot and I would say he's thus far failed to do that. Whether anybody else can force themselves into that position is unclear.

Steven Okert, on the other hand, is having a nice beginning to his 2016. Though he has allowed two earned runs in his four appearances, his peripherals are on point with 8 Ks vs. 0 BB in 6.2 IP.  He was nearly perfect yesterday, retiring 8 of the 9 batters he faced with 3 strikeouts. Okert does appear to be cementing himself into a position of being the guy the team turns to if a LHP in the bullpen is in need.

Sacramento tries to avoid back to back 4 game sweeps at the Bees hands in today's matinee. Maybe it's #MondayFunday:

Beautiful day @RiverCats . #SundayFunday #Sacramento pic.twitter.com/EDZSck6ac5

— Steve Loza (@Steveloza522) April 17, 2016

* * *

Richmond lost to the Altoona Curve (Pirates), 3-0, Sat.

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
3b	Christian Arroyo	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.361
RF	Hunter Cole	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.152	CS, PO, HBP
SS	Rando Moreno	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	.286	CS, HBP

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Joan Gregorio	6.0	2	0	0	1	7	0	0	0	0.00	74	56
Ray Black, L 0-1	0.2	1	3	3	3	1	0	0	2	9.82	26	7

Richmond lost to the Altoona Curve (Pirates), 5-3 Sun.
splitting their 4 game series, 2-2

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
SS	Rando Moreno	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	.290	E (3)
CF	Austin Slater	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	1	3	.270
1b	Ricky Oropesa	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.190
RF	Hunter Cole	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	.147	HBP

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Matt Gage	5.2	3	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	8.22	88	53
Dan Slania, BS 1	2.0	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	0	1.50	40	26
Jake Smith, BS 1, L 1-1	0.2	3	4	4	2	1	0	0	0	21.60	29	15

And so, after spending much of last week bragging on the back end of the Richmond relief corps, what do I find on my desk first thing this week but a big pile of poo left by those same bullpen arms. On back to back nights, Ray Black and Jake Smith blew up the Squirrels 9th innings, and not in a good way.

After being so sensational in Thursday night's performance, Black came into a 0-0 game in the 9th inning Saturday and simply could not find the plate. He threw just 7 strikes in 27 pitches, walking 3 and uncorking 2 WP in a complete meltdown that resulted in a 3-0 loss.

The following day, Smith, who likewise had been sensational in his first game on Friday night, was called on in the 9th to save a 3-1 lead, and he too struggled with his command, and ultimately lost the lead and the game in a 4 run 9th. Smith had to be relieved by old reliable Pedro Rodriguez to end the inning. Here was the killing blow off Smith:

I will accept the hypothesis that this had something to do with Smith's discomfort at wearing the Squirrels new Sunday Brunch "Waffle Jersey"

.@jake_smith5 is ready for #BrunchAndBaseball! pic.twitter.com/slNhrvJNVe

— Squirrels Baseball (@GoSquirrels) April 17, 2016

Richmond's offense didn't do much to help things this weekend either, as they managed a total of just 8 hits over the two games. Hunter Cole, who is digging himself out of his slow start, had the best weekend as he reached base a total 5 times over the two games, though just one of those came via a hit. Ricky Oropesa who started out the year homer happy (and is still second in the league in HRs) has had a very dry week dropping his average down under the Mendoza line as well (and with just a .244 OBP).

Joan Gregorio, who is in his second option year now since being put on the 40 man in December of 2014, continues his strong start to the year. He's allowed just 2 hits now in 10 IP with 13 Ks. Since being put back into the rotation late last year, Gregorio's been "under-the-radar" fantastic, allowing just 11 ER in 53.1 IP with 51 Ks. His option clock is ticking so Gregorio is definitely a candidate to get pushed this year.

Of note: Christian Arroyo made his first regular season start at 3b on Saturday night, and has now started at 3b, SS, and 2b this year.

* * *

San Jose lost at Inland Empire 66ers (Angels), 4-0 Sat

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
DH	Johneshwy Fargas	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.200
SS	CJ Hinojosa	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.320
C	Aramis Garcia	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.263	2 PB (3)
3b	Jonah Arenado	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.273

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA
Sam Coonrod L 0-1	4.0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Jose Reyes	3.0	4	3	3	0	1	1	0	0	6.43
Martin Agosta	1.0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0.00

San Jose won at Inalnd Empire 66ers (Angels), 11-7 Sun
splitting their four game series 2-2

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
RF	Johneshwy Fargas	4	2	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.207	SB (4)
CF	Ronnie Jebavy	5	2	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	.161	SB (1)
DH	Steven Duggar	6	2	4	4	1`	0	2	0	1	.375
1b	Chris Shaw	5	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	2	.276
3b	Jonah Arenado	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.269
LF	Cristian Paulino	5	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	.167	2 SB (2)

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
DJ Snelten W 1-0	5.0	7	4	2	2	4	0	0	0	1.80	85	55
Dusten Knight	0.2	3	3	3	2	1	1	0	0	10.13	28	15
Martin Agosta	2.1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.00	23	14
Rodolfo Martinez	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	19	13

There was an awful lot of hitting in this Sunday evening game, and I wouldn't want to overlook Ronnie Jebavy finally breaking out of an 0 for 21 slump with a 3 hit game and his first SB of the year, but this game really belonged to just one man:

Steven Duggar(@SDugg_9) finished the night 4-6. 2B, 2HR & 4 RBI's which led the @SJGiants to an 11-7 win. #sjgiants pic.twitter.com/d6CV9bWn2t

— Tim Cattera Photo (@TimCatteraPhoto) April 18, 2016

Massive game by Steven Duggar today. https://t.co/vBMZxR3e4e

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) April 18, 2016

Duggar just misses a third home run today - doubles off the wall in RF in the seventh inning. Now 4-for-5 with four RBI's.

— Joe Ritzo (@JoeRitzo) April 18, 2016

One of the pre-season questions I had about the Giants' prospects was whether Duggar's raw power was going to start to show up in games. A week into the season the answer is a resounding yes! After last night's rampage Duggar's line stands at a sweet .375/.444/.813. I see no reason not to just go ahead and pencil him in for a 1.000+ OPS over the next 130 games or so.

Let's go ahead watch him swing some more!

Ethan Elias vs. Steven Duggarhttps://t.co/RB4e2vzLDn

— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) April 15, 2016

San Jose continues it's southern division trip in Lake Elsinore tonight, with Jordan Johnson making his second start of the year.

* * *

Augusta lost to the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees), 5-3 in 14 inn Sat.

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
2b	Jalen Miller	7	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	.324
1b	Dillon Dobson	6	1	2	1	0	0	1	0	1	.297
RF-P	Dylan Davis	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	.237	SB (1) 2 E, LP
3b	Kelvin Beltre	6	2	2	0	1	0	0	1	2	.200
C	Adam Sonabend	6	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	3	.308	E

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Grant Watson	5.0	3	1	1	0	6	0	0	0	1.69	72	46
Michael Connolly BS 1	3.2	4	2	2	2	3	0	0	0	3.18	51	33
Caleb Smith	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	8.10	17	11
Dylan Davis L 0-1	2.0	2	2	2	3	0	0	0	0	9.00	29	13

Augusta lost to Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees), 2-1 Sun
losing their 4 game series 1-3

	Name	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	BA	Other
2b	Jalen Miller	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.293	CS
RF	Seth Harrison	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.233	SB (2)
1b	Dillon Dobson	4	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	2	.293
SS	Manuel Geraldo	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.143	CS

Name	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	HB	WP	ERA	Pitches	Strikes
Cory Taylor	4.0	2	1	0	2	8	0	0	1	0.00	72	43
Tyler Cyr L 0-1	3.0	2	1	1	1	2	0	1	1	1.74	54	33

The Greenjackets ran into a large problem on Sunday, in the form of 6'7" Domingo Acevedo, the Charleston pitcher who was clocked with 100 MPH fastball last year in the GCL. Acevedo dominated an Augusta lineup that a long couple of days. In his first home series, Jalen Miller posted a 1 for 15 with 6 Ks, dropping his average from a pristine .423 to below .300. So go early season lines.

The brightest note in the lineup was Dillon Dobson, who continues to hit for power.  Not only do his 4 HRs lead the Sally, he's one of only 13 players in the large league with more than 1 HR, and the only one with more than 2. Could the Appalachian St. alum be having an Adam Duvall-esque Sally league breakout?

Acevedo's dominance masked a terrific start from Cory Taylor, the Giants' 8th round pick last year from Dallas Baptist U. The burly, strong armed RHP has 10 Ks now in 6 IP on the year and has allowed just 6 baserunners. His first start was suspended by rain after 2 innings, so he's still building up to a starter's workload, as is true of many of the starters this early in the year.  But he's given us a taste of what could be a breakout year, akin to Sam Coonrod's last year in Augusta.

Last note, Dylan Davis pitched in college at Oregon St., and there were reportedly major league teams that liked him better off the mound as a draft prospect. He showed why his arm tantalized teams in Saturday night's 14 inning epic. He was the losing pitcher and struggled to throw strikes, as one might expect for his first pitching performance in two years, but David Lee had him at 91-92 with sink.

That 14 inning game apparently kept David away from the ballpark yesterday, recuperating from the long night:

Officially an A-ball game. Charleston runner on third with two outs in 13th, runner at second called out for interference to end inning.

— David Lee (@David11Lee) April 17, 2016

But you can read some of his scouting reports from Saturday night here:

Augusta, Charleston Notes: Watson, Connolly, Koerner, Reeves. https://t.co/53PkU0Lede

— David Lee (@David11Lee) April 17, 2016

Final note: Lucius Fox has been away from the team for a few days attending to a family matter. He should be back soon.

* * *

Today's Matchups:

Sacramento: Ty Blach vs Yunesky Maya
Richmond: Kyle Crick vs. Ben Lively
San Jose: Jordan Johnson vs. Dinelson Lamet
Augusta: TBD vs. Michael Soroka