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SF Giants Minor Lines 6/25/17: Malique Ziegler doubles twice

Featuring: The Return of MadBum!

By Roger
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The question that hangs over the season: are there any legitimate major league starters in the system anywhere? Are there any potential stars? To which I answer YES! To wit:

Yes, I know 70 thousand others made the same lame “joke” yesterday. What do you want from me? It’s 2017 and our baseball pleasures are few. I have to collect them where I can. So if lame jokes be it, lame jokes we’ll have! I’m still excited that the Colossus of Hickory is on his way back.

HIGHLIGHTS: Jose Flores threw 6 shutout innings with 7 Ks; Caleb Baragar threw 6 shutout innings with 9 Ks; Malique Ziegler had three hits including two doubles; Madison Bumgarner threw three clean innings.

Sacramento had an off day. On a Sunday. Seriously.

I gather the Fresno stadium was unavailable for some reason, which is why they had the double-header Saturday night? Still, weird.

Richmond beat the Akron Rubber Ducks (Indians), 5-4
losing their three game series, 1-2

Richmond Bats

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Myles Schroder 3B 5 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 .295
Slade Heathcott CF 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 .275
Miguel Gomez 2B 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .317
Jerry Sands DH 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 .312
Brandon Bednar 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
Daniel Carbonell LF 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .313
Dylan Davis RF 4 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 .210
Rando Moreno SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .178
Jeff Arnold C 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .147

Richmond Arms

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Jose Flores (W, 3-1) 6 3 0 0 0 7 0 2.14
Carlos Alvarado 2 1 0 0 1 3 0 2.70
Tyler Cyr 0.2 4 4 4 1 0 1 3.12
Collin Balester (S, 1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.89

Tyler Cyr turned a laugher into a nail-biter with a really rough 9th inning appearance. Sent out to nail down a 5-0 lead, Cyr ended up allowing five of the seven batters he faced to reach base, including a big 3-run homer that brought the score to 5-4. The following batter hit a clean liner into the gap that looked for a second like it could go to the wall, but Slade Heathcott used speed and arm to hold the hitter to a single. And that was it for Cyr. Colin Balester came in to nail down the third out and let the suddenly agitated fans go home happy.

The four hits in an inning (or less) were the most Cyr’s allowed this year. He’s been a bit up and down in his AA debut. More up than down, but his 15 walks in 25.1 IP is an area that could stand addressing. Fortunately he’s also K’d 31.

Prior to that scary 9th, it was an easy morning for the Squirrels. 28 year old journeyman Jose Flores had one of the best days of his long career, allowing just three hits and no walks over 6 shutout innings while striking out 7. Flores has kicked around long enough that he’s a former Sacramento RiverCat — but not with the Giants! Still throws hard, though, and pinpointing low-90s fastballs is a decent recipe for success in this game.

With Flores on cruise control, the offense churned out 12 hits to build its lead. Five of the first seven batters in the order had two hits and Heathcott chipped in with a single and walk. Former big leaguer Jerry Sands had two booming doubles as did long time Squirrel Myles Schroeder.

And LF Dylan Davis got his dinger on for the second time this week, collecting two hits to help push his OPS over .600. Davis has been slow to adjust to the Eastern League, but he showed last year that the game power is real.

Opposite field over the second wall in Richmond? Yeah that’s power. The barrel chested OF may not be selling jeans but he can hit it a ways.

Did Miguel Gomez pick up a couple hits?

Did you even have to ask?

San Jose won at Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks), 7-6 in 10 inn
losing their four game series, 1-3

San Jose Bats

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Ronnie Jebavy CF 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .315
Dillon Dobson 1B 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .228
Bryan Reynolds DH 6 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 2 .302
Gio Brusa LF 6 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 .252
Jonah Arenado 3B 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .247
T.J. Bennett RF 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 .132
John Polonius SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 .222
Matt Winn C 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .221
Jalen Miller 2B 3 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 .224

San Jose Arms

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Mike Connolly 6.2 6 3 3 1 4 1 3.88
Carlos Diaz (H, 5) 1.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.66
Dylan Rheault (BS, 1)(W, 2-1) 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 2.84

Not much good news coming out of San Jose these days, where not only the losses but now the injuries, too, are piling up:

See if this story sounds at all familiar:

The Giants picked up 11 hits (8 singles) and 7 walks, but struggled to get the big hit, going just 3 for 15 with RISP. They scratched out single runs in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th (using such innovative methods as a throwing error and a balk to bring in runs).

Meanwhile the pitching staff which had runners in scoring position only five times the entire game, was hurt by two big swings of the bat: a 3-run HR off starter Michael Connolly in the 3rd, and a gut punching, game-tying 2-run HR in the 9th off closer Dylan Rheault.

But despite running the big club’ playbook, San Jose snuck away with a win when Bryan Reynolds tripled with two aboard in the top of the 10th. Rheault would allow his own triple in the bottom of the inning, but it came with no one on base, so it hurt less (though he would come in a groundout to make the score close).

Matt Winn was the offensive star of the game in the 8 spot, picking up three hits and a walk and scoring two runs. Behind him, Jalen Miller had a nice game with an RBI double a Sac Fly and a walk. The Giants’ got two hits apiece from the 2/3/4 hitters Dobson, Reynolds, and Brusa, including the game winner.

The victory allowed San Jose to avoid a four game sweep and broke a 7-game losing streak, with all 7 losses coming against the Rawhide. Can we stop playing them for awhile now?

San Jose returns home to start a four-game series against Stockton tonight. They have once again sunk to the worst record in the Cal league.

Augusta won at Hickory Crawdads (Rangers), 1-0 Gm 1 (7 inn)

Augusta Bats Gm 1

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Ashford Fulmer CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
Cristian Paulino 3B 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
Kelvin Beltre 2B 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
Skyler Ewing C 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
Jose Vizcaino Jr. DH 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .207
Sandro Fabian RF 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .251
Frandy De La Rosa 1B 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .250
Jean Angomas LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .192
Brandon Van Horn SS 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .246

Augusta Arms Gm 2

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Caleb Baragar (W, 2-5) 6 3 0 0 1 9 0 4.04
Patrick Ruotolo (S, 5) 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 1.54

Augusta beat Hickory, 8-5 in Gm 2 (7 inn)
splitting their four game series, 2-2

Augusta Bats Gm 2

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG*
Johneshwy Fargas CF 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 .182
Cristian Paulino 3B 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 .266
Kelvin Beltre 2B 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .276
Jose Vizcaino Jr. 1B 3 2 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 .232
Jacob Heyward LF 4 1 2 0 0 1 4 0 0 .230
Sandro Fabian DH 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .252
Jean Angomas RF 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .214
Adam Sonabend C 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 .240
Brandon Van Horn SS 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256

Augusta Arms Gm 2

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA*
Jose Morel 3 5 4 4 2 2 0 2.82
Sandro Cabrera (W, 1-0) 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.82
Greg Brody 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 6.43
Caleb Smith 2 2 1 1 1 2 0 1.46

Augusta’s made a rash of roster moves this weekend, including adding a good amount of OF speed to their roster.

Ashford Fulmer didn’t do a ton at the plate in his first game since June 3, but he made a substantial impact on defense. In the bottom of the 7th, Patrick Ruotolo was trying to close down a 1-0 victory, but he ran into trouble allowing a walk and a single to put the lead in danger. With two outs Ruotolo gave up a line drive single to CF but Fulmer seized on it and gunned the tying run out at the plate to end the opener. My kingdom for a video feed!

That 1-0 lead was the result of a tremendous outing from Caleb Baragar. The 9th rounder from University of Indiana has had a a big of a struggle in his first full year, but he threw a dandy in this one, going 6 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and a walk while striking out 9. Baragar went up against Michael Matuella, who was at one point a favorite for the 1-1 pick in the 2015 draft before an assortment of physical issues began to dim his star.

Augusta’s lone run had come on a two out walk to Jose Vizcaino followed by back to back singles from Sandro Fabian and Frandy de la Rosa.

Fabian had an excellent double header, picking up three singles and a walk, to reach base twice in each game. Kelvin Beltre’s streak of reaching base came to an end with an 0 for 3 in the lid lifter. He singled and walked in the nightcap.

Augusta showed off a rare bit of power offense in the 2nd game. Johneshwy Fargas hit a game opening solo HR and they kept on making loud contact much of the day.

Well, you get the idea. A big five-run rally in the 4th was punctuated by Jacob Heyward’s team-leading 8th HR, a three-run shot.

The double-header sweep gave them a split of their 2nd half opening series and sent them on the bus ride back to Augusta a happy group, one would presume.

Salem-Keizer lost at Eugene Emeralds (Cubs), 7-4
getting swept in their three game series, 0-3

SK Bats

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Malique Ziegler CF 4 2 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 .395
Richard Amion 2B 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 .324
Manuel Geraldo SS 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 .350
Ryan Kirby 1B 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .368
Juan Rodriguez DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .295
Christoph Bono LF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 .158
Jeffry Parra C 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143
A.J. Ramirez 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Mikey Edie RF 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .211

SK Arms

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Alejandro De La Rosa 5 6 1 1 4 4 0 0.90
Heath Slatton (BS, 1)(L, 1-1) 1.2 6 6 6 2 0 2 11.57
Luis Pino 2.1 2 0 0 1 2 0 8.31

Malique Ziegler led off the bottom of the 4th with a double and Richard Amion and Manuel Geraldo followed with back to back HRs to give the Volcanoes a 3-0 lead. But after a stormy but effective second start from Alejando de la Rosa, the woebegone season of Heath Slatton, who’s now on his third staff of the season without much luck on any of them, continued. Slatton gave up his own HR/double/HR combo within the first four batters he faced and ultimately allowed 6 ER in less than 2 IP. Slatton was followed to the bump by Luis Pino, who’s enduring his own extremely trying 2017. The Volcanoes have some offensive abilities on their team, but the pitching staff is sinking them under an avalanche of runs allowed. Man, the pitching in this system!

But back to the offense! The 20 year old OF from North Iowa Area Community College continued to cut a swath through the NWL. With three more hits, including two doubles, Malique Ziegler continued piling up stats that have him at the top of the leaderboards.

Ziegler is now 4th in average (.395), 3rd in OBP (.480), a rather amazing 3rd in SLG (.651), and 2nd in OPS (1.131), as well as leading the league in Runs scored (14) and tied for the league lead in SB (8). That is a nice 10 game stretch. C’est magnifique! Ziegler, you knock me off my feeque! (I’m doing my best John Sterling, here). Keep it up Malique.

The Volcanoes had their first game of the year without a successful SB last night, with Richard Amion’s CS their lone attempt.

AZL Giants lost to AZL Angels, 6-2

AZL Bats

Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Player Pos AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
Steven Duggar CF 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Diego Rincones RF 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .200
Ismael Munguia LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .286
Nick Hill RF-CF 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167
Ricardo Genoves C 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
1- Anthony Marks PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Andres Angulo C 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Mecky Coronado DH 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000
Francisco Medina 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .125
Nathanael Javier 1B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .125
Jose Rivero SS 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Tyler Brown SS 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250
Robert Antunez 2B 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200

AZL Arms

Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Madison Bumgarner 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 0.00
Weilly Yan 2.2 4 1 1 2 1 0 3.38
Reagan Bazar (L, 0-1) 1 3 3 3 0 2 0 27.00
Pat Young 1.1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0.00
Chris Falwell 1 3 2 2 1 0 0 18.00

Man I feel for those kids. Somebody in the Volcanoes preview was talking about what a relief it is to be out of the desert and playing in that heat. Brutal!

Anyway, to the star attraction! Madison Bumgarner was finally on a mound and slinging. He completed three innings and nearly faced the minimum, with a lone walk messing up the perfect zeros in his line.

If he came through last night with no soreness it sounds like the plan is to have him start in Sacramento on Friday night. Best Giants game of the year at Raley Field! And also of note:

Another important rehab appearance in this game came from CF Steven Duggar, who we had heard was getting action in XST. Duggar went 0 for 2 in his delayed 2017 debut. No idea what the plan for getting Duggar back up to speed is, but I suspect we’ll see him in Sacramento at some point in July with, perhaps, a stopover in San Jose first.

Pretty limited offense in the game as the Giants managed just three hits. Richard Antunez’ triple was their biggest jolt. While teenagers Diego Rincones and Francisco Medina each picked up an RBI single. Rincones was the youngest player in the system last year, beginning his DSL campaign while he was still 16. So it’s worth noting that when Heliot Ramos joins the AZL club he’ll be the youngest player on the team, three months younger than Rincones.

Hey and speaking of the draft class, at least one member’s been spotted, though not exactly in the right part of the stadium:

On the field, Jacob! You’re supposed to On. the. Field!

DSL Giants had their traditional Sunday of rest

(Makes more sense when they do it. Still side-eyeing you guys in Fresno)

Today’s Scheduled Starters:
Sacramento: Joan Gregorio vs. Dillon Overton
Richmond: Sam Coonrod vs. Domingo Acevedo
San Jose: Mark Reyes vs. TBD
Augusta: Stephen Woods, Jr. vs. Eduardo Vera
Salem-Keizer: Alex Bostic vs. John Valek
AZL: No clue, maybe Deiyerbert Bolivar???
DSL: Francis Pena

Sacramento is listing a TBD, which seems to be a daily occurrence for them of late, but this should be Gregorio’s slot. With an offday Wednesday and a double header on Saturday, their rotation is in a bit of a mess at the moment. Gregorio hasn’t pitched since Sunday, June 18 and Beede hasn’t pitched since last Monday.

Richmond gets to have a go against the #11 prospect in a pretty stacked Yankees’ system. Acevedo recently got a promotion to AAA but a pitching logjam between AAA prospects and returning major leaguers caused him to drop back down to Trenton. He can touch triple digits with some wicked heat. Will Miguel Gomez get two hits off of him? Do you have to ask?

Also: Tomorrow on Minor Lines, the Malique Watch resumes! To be continued...

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