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Hello and happy Thursday.
On Monday, the San Francisco Giants announced their initial 60-player pool, though there were only 51 players in it. The reason for leaving nine spaces open was simple: It’s easier to add players than to subtract them. As long as there are open spots, the Giants can add players to the pool whenever they want. But to remove players? They have to be waived or traded.
But some of those spots are starting to get filled. While nothing is yet guaranteed, it looks like the Giants are essentially up to 55 spots.
One of the spots was always earmarked for prospect Hunter Bishop, who was left off the original pool as he recovers from the coronavirus. The team then signed their 2020 first-round pick, catcher Patrick Bailey, and it’s been reported that he’ll be added to the player pool as well.
Bailey won’t be the only catcher joining the four catchers included in the initial pool. It would appear that non-roster invitee Chadwick Tromp is also headed to Oracle Park.
Lets get it! AUA ✈️ SF
— Chadwick Tromp (@trompicalstorm) July 1, 2020
And infielder Will Wilson — the number 15 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft — also implied that he’s included in the fun.
This would appear to be player No. 55 for the pool, shortstop prospect Will Wilson. Giants traded for the first-rounder at the Winter Meetings in December. Today is the day when position players go to park to get their COVID-19 tests: https://t.co/KWYTrw6BCE
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) July 1, 2020
So that puts the Giants at 55. They’re creeping closer to 60.
Did Barry Bonds hit a home run today?
Absolutely.
July 2, 1996: Against the Colorado Rockies, Bonds hit a 3-run home run in the 8th inning off of Curt Leskanic, scoring Dave McCarty and Matt Williams. It gave the Giants a 5-1 lead, which was the final score. It was his 23rd homer of the year.
July 2, 1999: Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bonds hit 2 solo home runs off of Carlos Perez. A 1st inning blast gave the Giants a 1-0 lead, and a 5th inning shot gave them a 4-3 lead. The Giants would win 6-3 (Beat LA). They were his 7th and 8th homers of the year.
July 2, 2003: Against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bonds hit 2 solo home runs. A 4th inning shot off of Garrett Stephenson gave the Giants a 2-0 lead, and a 9th inning blast off of Jason Isringhausen gave them a 4-1 lead, which was the final score. They were his 23rd and 24th homers of the year.
July 2, 2004: Against the Oakland A’s, Bonds hit a solo home run in the 4th inning off of Mark Redman. It gave the Giants a 4-3 lead, and they would win 7-3. It was his 22nd homer of the year, and his third straight game with a dinger.
Giants links
- Roger Munter on how coronavirus may signal the end of starting pitching (There R Giants)
- Melissa Lockard talks with scouting director Michael Holmes about the undrafted free agents (The Athletic, subscription required)
- Alex Pavlovic on the backup catcher race being between two players (NBC Sports Bay Area)
- Maria Guardado on four storylines to watch (MLB)
- Dalton Johnson on the Giants players who will make less money than Bobby Bonilla this year (NBC Sports Bay Area)
- Jessica Kleinschmidt on how to make Tony’s Pizza from Oracle Park (NBC Sports Bay Area)
- Chat: Andrew Baggarly takes questions about the Giants (The Athletic, subscription required)
- Dan Szymborski on the odds of a player breaking the ERA record in a short season (Fangraphs)
Have a great Thursday!