Lots of action on the San Francisco Giants farm on Tuesday, highlighted by a superstar performance from their prospect with the most superstar potential.
Let’s dive in.
Link to the 2021 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)
AAA Sacramento (20-27)
Sacramento River Cats lost to the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) 11-8
Box score
If you just look at the offense on Tuesday, it was a pretty swell day for the River Cats, who had 14 hits, struck out just 7 times, and hit 5 home runs.
It’s probably time for the Giants organization to start having a conversation about outfielder Jaylin Davis (No. 20 CPL). Davis’ rehab assignment expired on Tuesday, meaning he needed to be added back to the 40-man roster. And that happened right as the San Franciso offense started scuffling, especially their right-handed hitters.
On Tuesday, the Giants optioned Mauricio Dubón and recalled Thairo Estrada, who had been an offensive star for Sacramento all season long. Could we see the Giants do the same with Davis and Austin Slater, who has been scuffling through an awful June?
Davis continued his tremendous season on Tuesday, hitting 3-5 with a home run. It was his seventh home run in just 67 plate appearances this year — that’s Max Muncy vs. the Giants levels! Add in the improved strikeout to walk ratio (19 to 8), and Davis is putting forth a tremendous audition, with a shiny 1.172 OPS in 14 games.
HOME RUN
— rivercats (@RiverCats) June 30, 2021
“Fuggedaboutit!” - @JDoskow @Jay_Dave23 | #ClawsUp pic.twitter.com/e1d6OvQfdv
Shortstop Arismendy Alcántara was the other star for the River Cats offense, as he went 3-5 with a double and a home run. He continues to have a great season.
HOME RUN
— rivercats (@RiverCats) June 30, 2021
This team just crushes baseballs… @arismendy0529 | #ClawsUp pic.twitter.com/KJ41v9H2dj
But the offense was not enough to overcome a rough pitching day, as four of the Giants five pitchers — Scott Kazmir, Tyler Cyr, Yunior Marte, and Luis González — allowed multiple runs. Only Silvino Bracho had a clean outing, with a perfect inning.
AA Richmond (26-23)
Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) 5-2
Box score
If you read this segment regularly then you probably know how much I talk about the Giants Minor League affiliates displaying Farhan Zaidi’s vision in the form of strikeout to walk ratios. That was not on display with the Flying Squirrels, who drew a single walk while striking out 11 times on Tuesday.
There wasn’t much good to take away from the game, but one bright spot was a triple by center fielder Heliot Ramos (No. 3 CPL). Ramos has been struggling something fierce lately, as that was his first extra-base hit since June 13. It was also his only hit of the game, meaning he’s still been without a multi-hit game this month. Only one game left to change that.
Right fielder Andy Sugilio had a three-hit game, and Richmond’s bullpen didn’t allow an earned run, with Patrick Ruotolo pitching a perfect inning.
High-A Eugene (31-17)
Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks) 8-2
Box score
On the other end of the strikeout to walk ratio coin we find the Emeralds, who drew 5 walks on Tuesday — and struck out the same number of times. Well done, dudes.
Another strong game from shortstop Will Wilson (No. 10 CPL), who went 3-5 with a double and a triple, raising his OPS to .851. It’s probably a bit premature to be on promotion watch for Wilson, but the Giants have to be happy with his season.
Speaking of promotions, left fielder Armani Smith (No. 44 CPL) and catcher Ricardo Genovés (No. 29 CPL) continued to reward theirs, with doubles that raised their respective OPS’ to .848 and .929.
Right-handed pitcher Nick Avila had a funny 6-inning relief appearance, but it went well. He’s been struggling this year (6.51 ERA), but allowed just 3 baserunners and 0 runs while striking out 4.
Low-A San Jose (34-15)
San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports (A’s) 9-2
Box score
The Baby Giants have been putting on a show all year, but there’s still one primary reason to pay attention to them: shortstop Marco Luciano (No. 1 CPL). The team’s top prospect put on an absolute display on Tuesday with a double and a pair of home runs.
Third AB. Oppo bomb for the future. He’s different for sure. Barely missed a double in his second AB down the line. @giantsprospects pic.twitter.com/2XCAP4igxI
— Conor Cline (@ClineConor) June 30, 2021
It might be time for Luciano to check his phone and see what the weather is like in Eugene this time of year.
Designated hitter Jairo Pomares (No. 14 CPL) continued his strong start to the season with a double and a walk that moved his OPS to 1.059 in 11 games. And 2020 undrafted signee Brett Auerbach — who played second base on Tuesday but is also seeing a lot of time in the outfield and at catcher — had a single, a pair of walks, and a stolen base. He seems awesome.
It was a good command and control day for the pitchers as Wil Jensen (7 strikeouts to 1 walk in 4.2 innings), Ivan Armstrong (4 strikeouts to 1 walk in 2.1 innings), and Austin Reich (4 strikeouts to 0 walks in 2 innings) combined for 15 strikeouts to just 2 walks.
ACL Black (1-1)
ACL Giants Black lost to the Rockies 3-0 (7 innings)
Box score
Alexander Suarez — a 2018 J2 signing who, like Luis Alexander Basabe, is Luis Matos’ cousin — was the offense for Giants Black on Tuesday, with the only two hits that the team had, as well as a stolen base.
It was a good start to the season for Esmerlin Vinicio, who allowed 1 hit, 2 walks, and 0 runs in 4 innings, while striking out 3.
ACL Orange (1-1)
ACL Giants Orange lost to the Cubs 6-3 (7 innings)
Box score
The excitement for Giants Orange came in the form of the professional debut of right-handed pitcher Manuel Mercedes, an 18-year old 2019 J2 signing who has been receiving strong reviews from scouts and prospect analysts. He gave up 6 hits and 3 earned runs in 5 innings, but didn’t issue a walk and struck out 6. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Left fielder George Bell had a nice day, as he went 2-3 with a walk and a home run.
Farm news
On Tuesday it was announced that AAA right-handed pitcher Gregory Santos (No. 15 CPL), who made his MLB debut earlier this year and has been flying up prospect lists, had been suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for Stanozolol.
In happier news, Marco Luciano and Heliot Ramos were named to the Futures Game.
Home runs
Here are all of Tuesday’s dingers. There were a lot.
AAA Jaylin Davis (7)
AAA Arismendy Alcántara (5)
AAA Bryce Johnson (4)
AAA Braden Bishop (3)
AAA Peter Maris (3)
Low-A Marco Luciano, 2 (11, 12)
ACL George Bell (1)
Wednesday schedule
Sacramento: Off
Richmond: vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies, 3:35 p.m. PT
Eugene: vs. Hillsboro Hops, 1:05 p.m. PT
San Jose: @ Stockton Ports, 7:05 p.m. PT
ACL Black: Off
ACL Orange: Off