Minor League round up, Aug. 4

Just three games for the San Francisco Giants affiliates on Wednesday. Let’s jump into the action.

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

AA Richmond (40-40)

Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) 4-1
Box score

It was a very flat offensive performance for the River Cats, with just 4 hits and 3 walks on the day, and the lone run coming on a solo homer courtesy of first baseman Frankie Tostado, who now has a .778 OPS.

Despite the offensive lull, it was a good day for right fielder Diego Rincones (No. 37 CPL), who hit 2-4 with a pair of doubles. Rincones now has a .876 OPS and looks right at home with AA after an early July promotion.

On the other side of things, shortstop Will Wilson (No. 10 CPL) had another donut as he continues to struggle since getting promoted. Wilson is hitting just .173/.277/.306 in Richmond, with 36 strikeouts in 112 plate appearances.

RHP Trenton Toplikar gave up just 5 hits and 0 walks in 7 innings, but allowed 3 earned runs and struck out just 4 batters.

High-A Eugene (46-34)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Tri-City Dust Devil (Angels) 8-0
Box score

The Emeralds games are about to get a lot more exciting thanks to the promotion of top prospect Marco Luciano to High-A. But even as they wait for Luciano’s arrival, Eugene seems hell bent on putting on a show.

First baseman Sean Roby (No. 32 CPL) and left fielder Heath Quinn both homered for the second straight game, as they start their Augusts off strong. That said, it’s been a funny two days for Roby, who has hit 3-10 with 2 home runs and 5 strikeouts. Either way, he raised his OPS to .805.

Quinn added a walk to his home run, which moved his OPS to .924. The 2016 3rd-round pick is already 26 years old, so you kind of expect him to bo able to do well in High-A, but whatever. Still nice to see.

In less good news, second baseman Brett Auerbach, who reached base in both of his plate appearances, left the game after getting hit by a pitch on the head.

Here’s hoping he’s OK.

Eugene had a strong pitching day, with RHP Kai-Wei Teng allowing 7 baserunners in 5 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts. He now has 80 strikeouts to 38 walks in 57.1 innings.

RHP John Russell had a dominant relief appearance, allowing just 1 hit in 2 scoreless innings while using the strikeout for all 6 outs.

Low-A San Jose (52-28)

San Jose Giants beat the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) 6-5
Box score

The Baby Giants started the post-Marco Luciano era in style, withstanding a late rally to beat San Francisco’s former Minor League affiliate. And they did it despite a trio of players — shortstop Abdiel Layer, second baseman Jimmy Glowenke (No. 34 CPL), and catcher Patrick Bailey (No. 8 CPL) — having a strikeout hat trick.

While the top of the lineup went 1-14 with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts, the middle of the order was dynamic, as center fielder Luis Matos (No. 5 CPL) went 2-3 with a walk to raise his OPS to .867, and left fielder Jairo Pomares (No. 14 CPL) went 3-5 to move his sterling OPS to 1.077 (when are we going to see the Pomares promotion? It has to be coming).

Designated hitter Luis Toribio (No. 12 CPL) came off the bench to hit a home run and draw a walk in his only plate appearances, and first baseman Tyler Wyatt doubled twice. Outfielder Najee Gaskins made his Low-A debut and went hitless.

LHP Kyle Harrison (No. 9 CPL) had the type of start that has defined his debut pro season. He struggled to limit baserunners and runs, allowing 7 hits, 3 walks, and 3 earned runs in 4.2 innings. But he also struck out 6 batters. He has a 4.24 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, but 102 strikeouts in just 68 innings.

Home runs

AA Frankie Tostado (10)
High-A Sean Roby (11)
High-A Ismael Munguia (7)
High-A Heath Quinn (7)
Low-A Luis Toribio (5)

Thursday schedule

Sacramento: vs. El Paso Chihuahuas, 7:05 p.m. PT
Richmond: vs. Reading Fightin Phils, 3:35 p.m. PT
Eugene: vs. Tri-City Dust Devils 7:05 p.m. PT
San Jose: @ Fresno Grizzlies, 6:50 p.m. PT
ACL Orange: vs. Royals Blue
ACL Black: vs. Padres
DSL Orange: vs. Yankees2
DSL Black: Canceled