SF Giants Minor Lines, 5/23/18

Baseball? Hey, the sun’s out, so there’s a lot of baseball to be made up! Let’s dive right in!

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Sacramento was defeated by Las Vegas (Mets), 4-3

So, about that Sacramento outfield…

Mac Williamson made his first full start playing the field, and kept up his hot start to the season. He had a triple in the first inning, a 1-for-2 day with a sacrifice fly and an intentional walk by the 51s…and who can blame them? Meanwhile, fellow rehabber Hunter Pence had a 2-for-4 day as he continues to hit. And, the much-watched Steven Duggar had a more pedestrian 1-for-4 day with a pair of strikeouts.

Austin Slater was just 0-for-3 with a HBP, but he wasn’t playing the outfield, so he wasn’t going to be one of those hot outfielders anymore. But he was at first base, his fourth time at the position this season (and in his entire pro career). That now matches him for games there as he’s played in left field this season.

Starter Derek Rodriguez had a solid game while taking the loss. Rodriguez’s 7 strikeouts were his second-highest total of the season, but the seven hits allowed are tied for third-highest. Rodriguez has a .250 batting average allowed on the season after given up 15 hits over the last 13 innings.

And although it’s been rumored, now we finally have the date!

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Richmond swept a doubleheader against Binghamton (Mets)

Game 1:

Game 2:

Not a bad day for the Squirrels as they try to make up for some of the many lost days to weather. Game 1 was a good one despite six walks in seven innings by Richmond’s pitchers. Taylor walked more (4) than he gave up hits (3), but kept it to just one earned run. Taylor has 26 strikeouts against 22 walks in 43.2 inning so far this season. Caleb Simpson walked two for his eighth save.

Game 2 had significantly less walks. Shaun Anderson and Dillon McNamara combined for just one save, and four hits allowed. Anderson tied his season high with 7 strikeouts, now giving him 52 strikeouts with 12 walks in 50 innings of work. Anderson bounced back nicely after giving up a season-high four runs in his last start.

Dillon Dobson had the big day, batting 3-for-5 with two walks between the two games, with his second double of the year. Even with the big day, Dobson is batting just .184 in 29 games this season, with a .330 OBP. Meanwhile, Aramis Garcia was 2-for-7 on the day, with his third home run of the season.

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San Jose beat Modesto (Mariners), 4-1

Three pitchers combined for a 4-hitter for San Jose. Melvin Adon was showing the velocity…

Although his 5.1 IP wasn’t the longest start, Adon was about as dominating as he’s been all season. Adon now has 47 strikeouts against 20 walks in 51.1 innings of work. Adon still has some struggles, with a .270 batting average allowed, but he’s beginning to limit some of the hits. Orleny Quiroz made his second appearance of the season, putting down all seven batters he faced while making the big jump from the DSL all the way to San Jose.

The team’s leading hitter was also making his second appearance of the year. Kevin Rivera went 2-for-3 with two doubles, his first hits of the season. Rivera was last seen batting .272/.331/.397 in Salem-Keizer after struggling in Augusta last year. Meanwhile, Jalen Miller was working as the DH and extended his hitting streak to nine games.

Do you want a TL:DR?

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Augusta split a doubleheader against Charleston (Yankees)

Game 1:

Game 2:

Somehow, Augusta got some baseball in…

Joey Marciano powered the GreenJackets through their first game of the day, getting six shutout innings to lower his ERA from 1.86 to 1.61. However, Marciano did get a season low one strikeout in the game, although the good news is that he was still able to be effective with the lack of Ks.

The offense in game one collected just five hits, but it was enough, including a bases-loaded walk from Logan Baldwin. Doubles by Baldwin, Manuel Geraldo and a triple by Orlando Garcia kept the GreenJackets moving on the bases.

Game 2 was more of a struggle, with Aaron Phillips taking the loss despite a season-high eight strikeouts. It was Phillips longest start of the season in IP, by a single out (His other four were 5 IP each). Despite the loss, the 9th round pick is putting together some strong numbers with 28 strikeouts and two walks in 25.1 IP. He’s now allowed 27 hits as well.

The offense, however, sputtered despite eight hits. The lone extra-base hit was a double by Heliot Ramos. Ramos ended up 3-for-6 on the day with a walk, and two strikeouts. Fellow top prospect Jacob Gonzalez was 1-for-7, but also had two errors, giving him 11 on the season.

The day also offered a two-game debut for the season with 12th rounder Aaron Bond, just promoted from extended spring training. Bond was 2-for-6 with a walk on the day. Bond was one of the top members of last year’s AZL playoff squad, batting .306/.368/.565.

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Today’s Scheduled Starters

Sacramento: TBD vs. TBD

Richmond: Jordan Johnson vs. Marcos Molina

San Jose: Logan Webb vs. Ljay Newsome

Augusta: Jason Bahr vs. Jio Orozco

Ah, the TBDs. Marcos Molina is the Mets’ #8 prospect that Richmond will have to face, just another in the long line of prospects they’ve been facing lately. Ljay Newsome isn’t ranked, but the 26th round pick has three straight starts without allowing a run, including a start against San Jose that started it off. Orozco will face the GreenJackets, making just his second start of the season. He had a 3.50 ERA across A-Ball and Rookie ball last season.