SF Giants Minor Lines, 9/1/17

Apologies for the late, shorter boxes today. Hurricane Harvey is weighing heavy on our minds, and we wish the best to those struggling this week. As September started, the AZL came to its regular season end, and the rookies finished it strong after a late funk. Meanwhile, San Jose’s playoff hopes came to their end.

Sacramento defeated El Paso 3-2 in 10 Innings

There was a lot of news about who did and didn’t get called up on Friday, but one surprising name about who didn’t get called up: Mac Williamson. Maybe the reason is that he is going to get regular playing time at Sacramento…but for whatever reason, he didn’t star.

Austin Slater started in right, in his first rehab game since his awful hip injury, playing 5 innings and going 1-for-3. Williamson didn’t replace him; Slade Heathcott did originally, and Williamson came in as a second double-switch. But it was Williamson’s single in the 10th that set up Chris Shaw’s game-winning double.

Tyler Rogers continued what has been a rough end to the season. In 8 outings since August 12th, he’s given up 6 earned runs (8 total), and has allowed runs in five of those 8 games. That spell has been bookended by blown saves for a reliever whose season had otherwise set him up for a Major League opportunity.

Meanwhile, 28-year old Roberto Gomez hit his season-high with 8 strikeouts in just 5 innings. As a spot starter (13 starts out of 38 appearances), he has collected a 3.88 ERAl, but has a .273 batting average allowed.

Richmond and Bowies was postponed due to inclement Weather

While the rain in Richmond is nothing compared to what Houston is going through, the Squirrels will be joining with the Red Cross, VCU and Hilldrup Moving & Storage to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

My thoughts are with the families suffering in Houston, and while I don’t need to link the dozens of ways you can contribute and help, I encourage you to do so.

San Jose was blasted by Stockton, 12-1…

…and, San Jose is officially eliminated from Playoff Contention.

Boy, I miss those days the Giants were a regular of the North Division in the playoffs.

Cristian Paulino led off the game with his first home run with San Jose this year, and it was all downhill from there. It was Paulino’s 8th game in High-A after he played 62 in Augusta (he had 4 home runs there). The 25-year old is batting .406/.441/.563 with San Jose so far.

Otherwise, it was just ugly. Matt Solter’s ERA jumped half a point just in this game, as the part-time starter matched a season-high in runs allowed (and that was in Lancaster, so…you kind of excuse that). He, nor the rest of the team, wasn’t helped as Jalen Miller committed his 21st error, Paulino had one, and Jonah Arenado had 2 errors to move his total on the season to 25.

Finally, Rodolfo Martinez gave up 2 earned runs for the third time in 5 games. In each of those, unearned runs were also given up, which brings into question how Martinez can be affected by the fielding behind him. He is still just 23, and just needs to finish the season strong.

Augusta defeated Charleston, 1-0

The game’s only run came as Tyler Brown led off the 5th inning with a single, and was bunted to 2nd. Angomas singled to put Brown on third. Angomas got picked off and was caught stealing officially, but Charleston’s first baseman threw the ball away, allowing Brown to score.

Jean Angomas went 4-for-4 with the game’s only extra base hit (a double). He had more hits than the rest of his teammates combined, and also the other team combined.

It was a great start for Raffi Vizcaino, his first shutout start of 4 innings or more. He limited Charleston to just the 2 hits, but he did give up 3 walks. He has 74 strikeouts against 28 walks in 77.2 innings this year.

Melvin Adon also had a nice relief outing as the team draws him down to end the season. It’s his second straight scoreless outing of 2 innings.

Salem-Keizer was defeated by Eugene, 12-4

Stetson Woods did not seem ready for a relief appearance today. Jason Bahr made a short, 2 inning start that was solid, giving up just a hit and a walk. Woods once again relieved him, and just like last week, he got blasted, giving up 5 runs, two walks, and no strikeouts. This is an interesting turn for Woods, who had been one of the best stories on the mound in S-K.

Bryce Johnson continued a 7-game hitting streak with two hits and a walk, his second of the 7 games. Believe it or not, his average has actually dropped slightly in that streak, from .330 to .327. Johnson also had his 5th straight game without attempting a steal. Logan Baldwin also bounced back from an 0-for-4 game to get a pair of hits, keeping his average over .340 in his first pro season.

The AZL Giants defeated the AZL D-Backs, 7-4 (10 Innings)

The rookies showed a little life in their regular season finale.

Nathaneal Javier got his first home run of the season just in time, tying the game in the top of the 9th inning. The Giants took advantage of the extra-inning rule starting a runner at 2nd base with Francisco Medina. He was bunted to third by Nico Giarratano (who got on base), and after Ismael Munguia was walked, Mikey Edie hit a single to bring the free runner in. Kyle McPherson hit a sacrifice fly to get the second run in. But the final run came in on a crazy double play. I’ll let the log describe it, as Aaron Bond came up with the bases loaded.

Aaron Bond grounds into a double play, second baseman Eddie Hernandez to shortstop Chaz Meadows to first baseman Jordan McArdle to catcher Renae Martinez. Ismael Munguia scores. Mikey Edie out at home. Diego Rincones out at 2nd.

Wow. I don’t know how to visualize that. But it gave the Giants a lead to win.

Munguia led the way as the leadoff hitter, with 3 hits (including a triple) and a walk to finish the year with a .331/.398/.458 batting line. Mikey Edie only played 26 games this season in the AZL (his third year at the level, with a brief stint at S-K earlier this year), and finished with a .394/.444/.455 line.

The more notable prospect line was Jacob Gonzalez finishing with a 2-hit game, and a .339/.418/.458 batting line. Gonzalez seemed to go into a funk after teammate Heliot Ramos was hit, but he was 3-for-8 over the final two regular season games.

Seth Corry remains a concern, however, after he couldn’t make it through the first inning. He hasn’t gone a full 2 innings in any of his last three starts, giving up 11 earned runs in 3 innings over 3 starts. His ERA has jumped from 1.69 to 5.55.

The Giants will get a first round bye in the three-round AZL playoffs. as will the overall league-best Dodgers. The Mariners, Brewers, Rangers and Cubs will meet in the first round.