SF Giants Minor Lines 5/14/19: Shaun Anderson is coming

Shaun Anderson was scheduled to start yesterday afternoon in Sacramento. He did not do so.

Which puts us on high anticipation alert here in Minor Lines-land. Or as Alex Pavlovic put it:

Good luck, Shaun! We’re all rooting for you!

HIGHLIGHTS: Heath Quinn has 19 games on base streak; Johneshwy Fargas had three hits and two SB; Bryce Johnson had 3 hits, 2 RBI, and a SB.

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Sacramento lost to El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres), 7-2
losing their series, 1-3

Jandel Gustave and Sam Selman — two minor league FA pickups this winter who have looked like terrific depth options so far this spring — allowed three home runs over the final two innings, unwinding the spring of a taut 2-2 game. For Selman, it was just the second time he’d been scored upon in 13 games this year. The lefty has allowed just 3 ER and all 3 have come on long balls.

Gustave’s 2 HRs and 3 runs allowed were not just the first runs he’s allowed in the Giants org, they were the first hits. Albeit in a tiny sample, prior to yesterday’s game the only baserunner he’d allowed in his 4 games (4 IP) had come via a HB.

So ends a toe-stubbing of a 4-8 homestand — a stretch that has seen the RiverCats drop three games below .500, but has also seen the talent pipeline up to San Francisco greased up and pumping. Which is the point of this exercise.

One Cat who’s enjoyed the series with El Paso is former Cardinals property Anthony Garcia who went 6 for 10 with two homers and a double the last three days. Could Anthony see the inside of Oracle Park sometime this year? The future is unwritten...

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Richmond lost at Erie SeaWolves (Tigers), 4-3

No home runs for the Squirrels in this one, but they did pile up five extra base hits among their eight hits in the game. Three of those were strung together in the 4th inning, when Chris Shaw and Jonah Arenado doubled, and Heath Quinn then tripled to bring them both in (yes, Arenado’s double failed to score Shaw from 2b, it was weird):

Let’s update the ol’ ticker:

Caleb Baragar held on to that lead for nearly his entire outing, but Richmond tried to push the lefty just a couple batters too far. On his 99th and final pitch of the night, Baragar allowed a 2-run double to surrender the lead. Watch that Third Time through the order, Willie!

But 1b Gio Brusa took Baragar off the hook in the top of the 8th, driving a double to the wall to bring home Jalen Miller who had reached on an error.

But star-crossed RHP Rodolfo Martinez, once one of the system’s most promising arms, walked in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th to end the back and forth battle. It was Martinez’ third walk of the inning — though one of those was intentional, following an inning opening walk and a double. In all, Rodolfo faced four batters and retired none. He’s allowed runs in 5 of his 9 appearances and has a fairly jaw-dropping 2.68 WHIP, built on 11 walks and 14 hits in his 9.2 innings of work. Things have really gone wrong for the once electric right arm of Martinez.

The Squirrels continued a recent trend of having trouble controlling the strikezone. The hitters struck out 13 times against just 2 walks. That included hat tricks from Miller (now down to .239 after a quick start) and Hamlet Marte, and a 4 K sombrero for Brandon van Horn who also committed his 5th error in the last three games. Tough entry into AA!

Johneshwy Fargas had the best line of the night, picking up three hits including a triple and stealing two bases. None of his fine work, unfortunately, led to a Squirrels’ run.

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San Jose beat Inland Empire 66ers (Angels), 4-3

Cal League Pitcher of the Week Matt Frisbee picked up right where he left off in his last start, throwing another excellent 6 innings to help lead San Jose to a second consecutive home win. The 15th rounder out of UNC Greensboro now has 12 consecutive scoreless innings, with 13 Ks to just 1 walk and 4 hits in his last two starts.

Frisbee’s start was part of a strong night of overall pitching effort, though some sloppy defense did contribute to three unearned runs in the 7th that tightened up the game. But Caleb Simpson shut the door for his first save of the year — and first save ever in San Jose.

On the offensive side, RF Bryce Johnson drove the effort. Johnson, who is off to a very slow start this year, picked up three hits including a double, drove in two of the team’s runs and scored a third. He also picked up his 9th SB of the season. The night pushed Johnson’s average up to just .232 with a .698 OPS.

David Villar returned to the San Jose lineup, doubling in his return though he also committed one of the team’s three errors. Villar’s return pushed Orlando Garcia out of a spot, as the infielder was sent back down to Augusta.

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Augusta beat the Columbia Fireflies (Mets), 3-2

Keaton Winn and Jesus Ozoria both came off the Temporary Inactive List before the game and the pair then teamed up on on gem, holding the Columbia Fireflies to just two runs.

Winn, the 5th round pick in last year’s draft, has succeeded in pounding the strike zone in the Sally (something his 4th round colleague could learn from!). The tall drink of water has walked just 5 batters this year, while striking out 20 in his 25.2 IP. He’s also piled up the groundballs so far, with about two groundball outs per flyout on the season. “Don’t get yourself in trouble” is still a solid avenue to success.

All of the runs in support of the pair came on two swings of the bat. After struggling through a 2 for 21 roadtrip, Frankie Tostado was happy to back home, smashing his 6th HR of the season to give the team a 2-1 lead. Tostado would also end the night with a flyout to the very edge of the cutout in the CF wall.

After Columbia came back to tie up the game, Jeffry Parra provided the winning run with his second HR of the season, and second in his last two games — both of which have been game winners. Not too bad, Jeffry! Now what-say we get that batting average above .200 finally!

One night after twisting his ankle running down the line, Diego Rincones was back in the lineup which is good news! Though the injury doesn’t appear to have done any favors to Diego’s footspeed for the time being.

Strong pitching and just enough hitting has now led Augusta to three straight wins which puts them back over .500 and just 1.5 games out of 1st place in the Sally Southern Division.

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Today’s Scheduled Starters:
Sacramento OFF DAY
Richmond (Alfred Gutierrez) @ Erie (Casey Mize)
San Jose (John Gavin) vs. Inland Empire (Andrew Wantz)
Augusta (Blake Rivera) vs. Columbia (Colin Holderman)

Richmond batters have struck out 28 times in two games vs Erie, and now they get to face Casey Mize in the series closer. Congratulations!

In conclusion, you look like a fan who wants to know what’s happening with Joey Bart and Heliot Ramos, don’t you?

June begins to take shape as pivotal month around the org — first draft of the new regime coming in, Marco Luciano and the international teens making debuts, Bart and Ramos returning to the field. And perhaps some early player movement as well. Circle your calendars.

For now though, we have a game to look forward to with delicious anticipation. In all likelihood this is the only major league debut we get to look forward to this season from one of the org’s Top 10 Prospects. Make it a night to remember, Shaun!