Minor League round up, Aug. 12

My goodness a lot happened on the San Francisco Giants farm on Thursday. Let’s jump into it.

Link to the 2021 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)

AAA Sacramento (38-47)

Sacramento River Cats beat the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) 5-2
Box score

It was a two-man show on offense for the River Cats. Designated hitter Jaylin Davis (No. 20 CPL) hit 3-4 with a pair of doubles, while left fielder Braden Bishop hit 2-4 with a home run, a double, and all 4 of the teams RBI.

The former also added a stolen base, while the latter contributed with an outfield assist at second base. It will be interesting if the Giants try to add Davis’ bat back to the Major League roster ... he continues to tear up AAA, but the team has a serious amount of depth, and acquired a guy named Kris Bryant since Davis got hurt. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.

On the pitching front, the game was bookended by two recent veteran Minor League signings, who both pitched very well. RHP Logan Ondrusek allowed just 1 hit, 0 walks, and 0 runs in 4 innings, while striking out 5, and RHP Tyler Chatwood struck out 3 in 2 perfect innings.

RHP Reyes Moronta had a rough appearance as he continues to rehab.

AA Richmond (43-44)

Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Bowie Baysox (Orioles) 8-6
Box score

A decent offensive day wasn’t enough for Richmond to overcome a rough start by LHP Michael Plassmeyer, who gave up 10 hits, 1 walk, 7 runs, and 6 earned runs in 5.1 innings, though he did strike out 7 batters. Plassmeyer has a 4.42 ERA since the Giants traded Matt Wisler for him, though he has 61 strikeouts to just 9 walks in 59 innings.

The offensive star was designated hitter Diego Rincones (No. 37 CPL), who hit 2-5 with a home run to raise his OPS to .901. His August OPS is now 1.003, as he seems to be finding his rhythm.

Still no rhythm for shortstop Will Wilson (No. 10 CPL) who went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts, marking his third straight game with the strikeout hat trick. He has 16 strikeouts in his last 6 games, with just 2 hits and 2 walks, and now has 52 strikeouts in 137 plate appearances since getting promoted.

Right fielder Sandro Fabian had a 3-hit day to raise his OPS to .752.

High-A Eugene (50-37)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks) 11-6 (10 innings)
Box score

The Emeralds were having a solid day until it made it to Free Baseball O’Clock, at which point they decided to have a great day with a 5-run 10th inning.

There were no shortage of stars, with 6 different players having a multi-hit day. But one player stood tallest, and he’s been doing that a lot lately: designated hitter Tyler Fitzgerald (No. 40 CPL). Fitzgerald got the party started with a leadoff home run in the first inning. And then he concluded the party with a grand slam in the 10th inning. He added a single and a walk for good measure, because why not?

Fitzgerald’s season OPS is up to .902, and his August OPS is up to 1.326. Seems pretty nice to me, but what do I know.

Center fielder Kwan Adkins, playing in just his second game since getting promoted from the Arizona Complex League, had his first hits, and they were nice ones: a home run and a double. He also a drew a walk.

And as long as we’re talking about great games, shoutout to left fielder Heath Quinn, who went 3-5 with a home run to raise his OPS to .879. He’s been playing very well lately.

The Emeralds’ bullpen was phenomenal, as three pitchers combined for 6 no-hit innings, with no walks allowed either. RHP John Russell struck out 3 in 3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.91, RHP Ryan Walker struck out 2 in 1 inning to lower his ERA to 3.06, and LHP Chris Wright struck out 3 in 2 innings to lower his ERA to 1.00.

Low-A San Jose (55-32)

San Jose Giants lost to the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) 10-4
Box score

The Baby Giants lost, but it wasn’t all bad, as it afforded their content team the option to run with the following headline: Giants Suffer Rare Loss To Nuts.

Alrighty then.

Anyway, San Jose lost primarily because all of their pitchers pitched poorly, and it’s very difficult to win when that happens. But win or lose, it’s worth celebrating this home run by right fielder Jairo Pomares (No. 14 CPL).

Center fielder Luis Matos (No. 5 CPL) was the only Giant to have a multi-hit day, and went 2-5 with a double. Catcher Patrick Bailey (No. 8 CPL) had one of the better days of his young career, hitting a double and drawing 2 walks. Unfortunately he also suffered an injury and was placed on the 7-day IL.

ACL Orange (17-15)

ACL Giants Orange beat the Athletics 15-6 (7 innings)
Box score

It’s usually a good thing when you average more than 2 runs per inning, as the Giants Orange team did. And they did it by drawing a whole bunch of walks. 9 of them, specifically, which is also how many hits they had.

Third baseman Anthony Rodriguez (18, 2019 J2) had 2 of those walks, and also had the team’s only home run to raise his OPS to .725.

Center fielder Grant McCray (No. 26 CPL, 20, 2019 3rd round) and designated hitter Garrett Frechette (No. 27 CPL, 20, 2019 5th round) both hit 2-3 with a walk, with the former having a double and the latter a triple.

RHP Brett Standlee (22, 2021 17th round) made his professional debut and it didn’t go so hot, as he allowed 1 hit, 2 walks, and 1 run in an inning of work.

ACL Black (18-14)

ACL Giants Black beat the D-backs 11-1 (7 innings)
Box score

It was just a good all around day to score runs in the Arizona Complex League for Giants teams. The two squads combined for 26 runs in just 13 innings of work.

The Giants Black team didn’t have any home runs, but shortstop Ghordy Santos (21, 2016 J2) hit 2-5 with a triple, and center fielder Alexander Suarez (19, 2018 J2) went 2-4 with a double.

LHP Nick Swiney (No. 17 CPL, 22, 2020 2C) pitched 2.1 rehab innings, and gave up 1 hit and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. RHP Hunter Dula (22, 2021 18th round) made his pro debut and had a 1-2-3 inning.

Home runs

AAA Braden Bishop (7)
AA David Villar (12)
AA Diego Rincones (6)
High-A Tyler Fitzgerald, 2 (15)
High-A Heath Quinn (8)
High-A Kwan Adkins (1)
Low-A Jairo Pomares (13)
ACL Anthony Rodriguez (2)

News

Per @giantsprospects, the Giants released outfielder Javeyan Williams, catcher Omar Medina, and LHP Marco Gonzalez.

Friday schedule

Sacramento: @ Salt Lake Bees, 5:35 p.m. PT
Richmond: @ Bowie Baysox, 4:05 p.m. PT
Eugene: @ Hillsboro Hops, 7:05 p.m. Pt
San Jose: vs. Modesto Nuts, 6:30 p.m. PT
ACL Orange: vs. D-Backs
ACL Black: vs. Cubs
DSL Orange: vs. Orioles2 (doubleheader)
DSL Black: vs. Rangers2