Minor League round up, June 27

The San Francisco Giants four Minor League affiliates split their games on Sunday, but there was a lot to like. Anytime the players who might be called up this year shine, while the team’s top prospect hits (another) home run, it’s a good day on the farm.

Let’s check it out.

Link to the 2021 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List

AAA Sacramento (20-25)

Sacramento River Cats beat the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) 16-7
Box score

Where do you even start when a team wins 16-7? Suffice to say it was a good day at the office for the Giants depth stockroom. The Giants had 17 hits, including 9 extra-base hits, and 5 home runs. Those dingers included a pair each from Chadwick Tromp and Jason Krizan, both of whom have proven to be quality options if the Giants have to dig deep into the backup pool.

It was the kind of performance that made you realize why this team is the Giants affiliate. In addition to the 5 homers, the lineup combined for 5 walks, while striking out just 6 times (with one of those Ks being a pitcher). It really seems like everyone in Sacramento is on the same page, and trying to emulate San Francisco. So far it’s been working when the Giants have had to call up players.

Speaking of call-ups, Jaylin Davis (No. 20 CPL) continues to make his case for his first extended run since 2019, as he went 2-3 with a walk and a grand slam to raise his OPS to 1.154. The 10 extra-base hits in 57 plate appearances is awesome, but the team is likely just as encouraged by the 7 walks to 17 strikeouts which, if not great, is still a marked improvement over the plate discipline and contact skills that he had shown at the MLB level in the last two years. The Giants don’t have nearly as much right-handed outfield depth as left-handed, so maybe we’ll see Davis sometime soon. At the very least, he’s making a strong case to keep his spot on the 40-man roster when he comes off the 60-day Injured List.

On the topic of 60-day ILs, Tyler Beede made another rehab start, and had many of the same issues that have plagued him so far this Minor League season. Issues that, I feel the need to remind everyone, are not only normal but entirely expected for someone rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Beede pitched 4 innings (good to see him start to get stretched out), and allowed 6 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs, while striking out 4.

Caleb Baragar had a rough bullpen outing (3 earned runs in 0.2 innings), and continues to struggle since his demotion.

AA Richmond (26-22)

Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) 6-3
Box score

Like the AAA team, the AA Richmond batters did a tremendous job avoiding strikeouts, as they were retired on strikes just 5 times all game. But they only drew 2 walks, one of which came from pitcher Caleb Kilian. So a bit of a funky day in that regard; it’s not every day you see a team have just 7 combined walks and strikeouts.

Third baseman David Villar continues to heat up. He’s been an extra-bases machine as of late, and put a ball over the fence for the 10th time this season.

On the other side of things, center fielder Heliot Ramos (No. 3 CPL) continues to scuffle after his blistering hot start, as he went 0-3 with a strikeout and a walk. Ramos is now 5-46 with no extra-base hits in his last 12 games, and his OPS has dropped to .711. He’s yet to have a multi-hit game in June.

Kilian (No. 43 CPL) had a decent start, and continues to reward the team for his early season promotion. He allowed 7 hitters and 3 runs in 5.1 innings, while striking out 7. An ERA of 2.62, a WHIP of 1.05, and a strikeout per inning is a pretty good place to be sitting after 6 AA starts.

High-A Eugene (30-17)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays) 7-2
Box score

In keeping with the theme, the Emeralds had a good day suppressing the strikeout, as their lineup went down on strikes just 6 times, while also drawing 6 walks. The stars of the day were second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald (No. 40 CPL) and designated hitter Sean Roby (No. 32 CPL), who both went 3-5 with a double and a home run. Fitzgerald’s OPS now sits at .820, as he’s become a staple of a great Eugene team.

Catcher Ricardo Genovés (No. 29 CPL) made his second appearance since his promotion and fit right in, going 1-2 with 3 walks. He also was hitting clean-up, which ... you probably shouldn’t read too much into low-level affiliate batting orders, but it does seem like the Giants are high on him, and so far it’s for good reason. Maybe it’s time to add his name to the Joey Bart/Patrick Bailey catcher prospect mega list? I jest ... kind of.

Eugene showed an excellent bullpen after starting pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (No. 18 CPL) went a modest 4.1 innings, allowing 9 baserunners and 2 runs, and striking out 3. Travis Perry, Ryan Walker, Taylor Rashi, and Tyler Schimpf combined to allow just 1 hit and 1 walk in 4.2 innings, while striking out 4.

Low-A San Jose (33-15)

San Jose Giants lost to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers) 10-5

The Baby Giants have been doing a whole bunch of winning this year, but couldn’t Beat LA in the series finale. But I think fans will be less interested in the result of the game, and more interested in shortstop Marco Luciano (No. 1 CPL) sending another baseball into outer space (okay maybe that’s silly hyperbole since it was a line drive, but ... 115 mph exit velo!)

The team’s top prospect is having an awesome month, hitting 23-87 with 10 extra-base hits and 16 walks to 20 strikeouts. With an OPS of .880, we could be be seeing Luciano bop up the coast until he gets to Oregon pretty soon.

Right fielder Jairo Pomares (No. 14 CPL) went 1-3 with a walk and a double, and now has an OPS of 1.050 in his 10 games this season.

Promotions/demotions

Some moves for the Giants over the weekend, which seems to include 2020 first-round pick Patrick Bailey (No. 8 CPL) leaving Eugene and headed for some Arizona Complex League time.

Home runs

All the day’s dingers:

AAA Jaylin Davis (6)
AAA Chadwick Tromp 2 (4, 5)
AAA Jason Krizan 2 (4, 5)
AA David Villar (10)
AA Sandro Fabian (5)
High-A Tyler Fitzgerald (7)
High-A Sean Roby (5)
Low-A Marco Luciano (10)

Monday schedule

Just one game today, as is customary on Mondays.

Sacramento: vs. Reno Aces, 7:05 p.m. PT