Down on the Farm (2017)

[Stokes1931]

This has nothing to do with the Baby Giants, but this is just bizarre.

 

[LHG]

This has nothing to do with the Baby Giants, but this is just bizarre.

A lot of strange going on there. Did the pitcher injure his arm? Did the batter assume that it was not a tossed pitch and took a practice swing?

 

[SFGRTB]

Saturday 5/28

Pitching Line: IP-H-R-ER-BB-K

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) lost 7-6 in 11 innings

Orlando Calixte 4-6, HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (11). Started in CF, shifted to SS. His homer was a game tying 2-run shot in the 9th. If the Giants desire to keep rolling with one-trick ponies like Morse/Gonor or 13 pitchers, a guy like Calixte can be extremely valuable. Batting .293/.338/.517 playing SS/2B/3B/CF/RF/LF. I hope he gets a shot soon.
Ryder Jones 1-5, HR (5), 1 RBI, 1 R, 3 K. Played 3B. His homer was a go-ahead shot in the 9th (yes, back-to-back with Calixte).
Jae Gyun-Hwang 1-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 K. Played 1B. I was complaining about his empty BA in April, he wasn't hitting for any power. Well, he responded with a .500 SLG% in May. Now I'm going to complain about his pitch selection (ZERO walks in May, 18 Ks).
Chris Shaw 2-5, 2B, 1 K. Played LF
Kelby Tomlinson 2-6, 2B. Played 2B
Austin Slater 2-5, 2B. Played RF.

Dan Slania 6.0-10-4-4-3-4. 4 runs among 13 baserunners is actually pretty remarkable pitching in Reno. Probably helped that Cats pitchers induced 6 DPs (!!)
Nothing else worth noting.


Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) WON 8-4

Slade Heathcott 1-5, HR (6), 1 RBI, 2 R, 3 K. He's been a little cold lately, but is still showing all the tools.
Myles Schroder 3-5, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R.

Jordan Johnson 5.0-4-3-2-6-3. Hmm.
Rodolfo Martinez 1.0-1-0-0-0-2. That's what I'm talking about.
Reyes Moronta 0.2-1-1-1-3-1. Did him and Martinez trade jerseys?
Luis Pino 0.1-0-0-0-0-1
Tyler Cyr 1.0-0-0-0-0-2
Carlos Alvarado 1.0-1-0-0-0-3


San Jose Giants (A+) WON 5-3

Jalen Miller 2-4, 3B, 2B, 2 R. Played 2B
Ryan Howard 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI. Played SS
Bryan Reynolds 2-5, 2B, 1 R, 1 K.

Jake McCasland 6.0-7-3-3-1-5
Caleb Simpson 5.0-0-0-0-0-5. Woah. 41 K's in 22 IP. But also 19 walks. FB up to 96, and a real nice slider. 21st rounder in 2013, pitch 7.2 innings in 2013, zero in 2014, zero in 2015, and 6.2 in 2016. I'll see what I can figure out on his back story.
Ryan Halstead 1.0-1-0-0-0-0

Augusta GreenJackets (A) WON 1-0

Sandro Fabian 2-4, 2B, 1 R
Kelvin Beltre 2-4, 1 RBI.

Domenic Mazza 7.0-6-0-0-0-5
Patrick Ruotolo 2.0-2-0-0-0-2

 

[SFGRTB]

This has nothing to do with the Baby Giants, but this is just bizarre.

Actually, it has a tiny bit to do with the baby Giants.

The batter, Josh Fuentes, is Jonah (and Nolan) Arenado's cousin.

 

[Stokes1931]

Sunday 5/28

Thanks to SFGRTB for last week's updates. My turn this week. Then I am off to Colorado for 10 days.

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) (18-31) lost 6-5

Cats were 2-10 with RISP, Aces were 3-8

Ryder Jones 1-4, run, 2 RBI (.268)
Jae Gyun-Hwang 1-4, run, RBI, double (.281)
Austin Slater 2-3, 2 runs, RBI, double, homer (4) (.317)

BASERUNNING
SB: Tomlinson 2 (8, 2nd base off Banda/Freeman, 3rd base off Banda/Freeman).

FIELDING
E: Beede (1, throw).

Tyler Beede (L, 3-3) 6.0-7-6-6-3-4 (3.93) not a great outing
D.J. Snelten 1.0-0-0-0-0-1 (9.00)
Tyler Rogers 1.0-0-0-0-0-1 (2.05)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) (19-29) WON 3-2

Miguel Gomez 3-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 homers (5) (.337) find this guy a position or trade him to the AL. Dude can rake.
Myles Schroder 1-4, run, triple (.324)
C.J Hinojosa 2-4 (.262)

Andrew Suarez 6.2-4-2-2-3-8 (3.04)
Collin Balester (W, 1-1) 2.1-2-0-0-0-4 (5.06)

San Jose Giants (A+) (22-29) WON 1-0 in the 10th

Bryan Reynolds 1-4, run (.292)
Gio Brusa 1-4, RBI (.236)

Conner Menez 6.2-2-0-0-5-6 (3.24)
Will LaMarche 1.1-0-0-0-0-0 (3.86)
Dylan Rheault (W, 1-0) 2.0-2-0-0-2-2 (1.99)

Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-31) lost 9-1

Frandy De La Rosa 1-3, run, triple (.236)

Pitching? Move along, nothing to see here

 

[SFGRTB]

Sunday 5/29

Thanks to SFGRTB for last week's updates. My turn this week. Then I am off to Colorado for 10 days.

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) (18-31) lost 6-5

Cats were 2-10 with RISP, Aces were 3-8

Ryder Jones 1-4, run, 2 RBI (.268)
Jae Gyun-Hwang 1-4, run, RBI, double (.281)
Austin Slater 2-3, 2 runs, RBI, double, homer (4) (.317)

BASERUNNING
SB: Tomlinson 2 (8, 2nd base off Banda/Freeman, 3rd base off Banda/Freeman).

FIELDING
E: Beede (1, throw).

Tyler Beede (L, 3-3) 6.0-7-6-6-3-4 (3.93) not a great outing
D.J. Snelten 1.0-0-0-0-0-1 (9.00)
Tyler Rogers 1.0-0-0-0-0-1 (2.05)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) (19-29) WON 3-2

Miguel Gomez 3-4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 2 homers (5) (.337) find this guy a position or trade him to the AL. Dude can rake.
Myles Schroder 1-4, run, triple (.324)
C.J Hinojosa 2-4 (.262)

Andrew Suarez 6.2-4-2-2-3-8 (3.04)
Collin Balester (W, 1-1) 2.1-2-0-0-0-4 (5.06)

San Jose Giants (A+) (22-29) WON 1-0 in the 10th

Bryan Reynolds 1-4, run (.292)
Gio Brusa 1-4, RBI (.236)

Conner Menez 6.2-2-0-0-5-6 (3.24)
Will LaMarche 1.1-0-0-0-0-0 (3.86)
Dylan Rheault (W, 1-0) 2.0-2-0-0-2-2 (1.99)

Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-31) lost 9-1

Frandy De La Rosa 1-3, run, triple (.236)

Pitching? Move along, nothing to see here

I get extra relief on dues since I have to work overtime, right?

 

[Stokes1931]

Monday 5/29

Memorial Day

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) (19-31) WON 11-3

Kelby Tomlinson 2-6, run, 2 RBI, double (.290)
Austin Slater 3-6, run, 2 RBI (.324) played CF
Chris Shaw 2-5, run, RBI, double, homer (1) (.286) played LF
Juan Ciriaco 3-4, 4 runs, 3 RBI, homer (3) (.269)
Tim Federowicz 3-5 (.326)
Juniel Querecuto 3-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI (.238) 24yo 3b from the Rays org

Team RISP: 7-for-21.
Team LOB: 9.

FIELDING
Outfield assists: Jones, Ryd (Brito at 2nd base).

Joan Gregorio (W, 3-4) 6.0-9-3-3-1-6 (3.18) gave up 2 homers, has given up 8 homers in 56.2 IP
Matt Reynolds 1.2-0-0-0-0-3 (1.29) [21IP, 14 H, 4 W, 16 K)
Kyle Crick 1.1-0-0-0-1-1 (3.00)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) (19-30) lost 1-0

Miguel Gomez 1-4 (.335)

Jose Flores 5.0-1-0-0-0-6 (1.01) (27yo, this is his 2nd start)
Christian Jones (L, 0-3) 2.0-4-1-1-1-2 (5.23)
Rodolfo Martinez 1.0-0-0-0-0-1 (5.63)

San Jose Giants (A+) (22-30) lost 6-4

Ryan Howard 1-4, run (.315)
Bryan Reynolds 2-5, run (.295)
Aramis Garcia 3-5, 2 runs (.270)
Dillon Dobson 2-4, 3 RBI, double (.258)

Team RISP: 2-for-13.
Team LOB: 9.

BASERUNNING
SB: Bennett (2, 2nd base off Misiewicz/Nieto).
PO: Bennett (1st base by Nieto).

FIELDING
E: Dobson (9, fielding); Garcia (2, throw).
PB: Garcia (1)

Mike Connolly 4.0-6-3-3-3-2 (3.67)
Carlos Diaz 2.2-0-0-0-0-3 (3.03)
Caleb Simpson (BS, 2)(L, 0-2) 1.1-2-2-2-0-2 (5.79) both hits were homers
Ryan Halstead 1.0-2-1-1-0-1 (1.11)

Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-32) lost 14-2 (these guys have been terrible)

Frandy De La Rosa 1-2, run, RBI, double (.243)

BASERUNNING
CS: Van Horn (3, 2nd base by Llanes/Sanchez, A).
PO: Fargas (1st base by Llanes); Fulmer (2nd base by Llanes).

FIELDING
E: De La Rosa (3, fielding).

Pitching? Move along, nothing to see here

Scheduled Pitchers Tomorrow (Tuesday)

Sacramento (AAA) Roth (4-3, 4.14)
Richmond (AA) Coonrod (1-5, 4.76)
San Jose (A+) DNP
Augusta (A) Woods, Step (2-4, 2.97)

 

[SFGRTB]

SHAWesome:

Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | Sacramento's Shaw collects first PCL homer - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

 

[Stokes1931]

I get extra relief on dues since I have to work overtime, right?

Absolutely. I will pick it up again on the 11th if I am near wifi

 

[Stokes1931]

Video at link

Down on the Farm: Crick continues to impress as River Cats' closer

Long before there were Giants pitching prospects like Ty Blach and Tyler Beede, Kyle Crick was the talk of the town and for good reason.

San Francisco selected Crick with their sandwich-pick in the Compensation A Round, No. 49 overall, as a power-throwing right-handed Texas high school arm in 2011. Quickly he showed his immense potential on the mound and seemed to be on the fast track to The Show.

In Crick’s first full season of minor league ball, he posted a 2.51 ERA to go with 128 strikeouts in 111.1 innings pitched for the Augusta GreenJackets at just 20 years old. One year later in 2013, he upped his game, pitching to the tune of a 1.57 ERA over 14 starts for the San Jose Giants and continued striking out batters at a high rate with 95 in 68.2 innings.

But then, control issues hampered Crick, outweighing his high-90s fastball and ability to make batters whiff. He fell completely off prospect lists and saw plenty of other Giants pitchers leap him and make it to San Francisco. At one point, Crick even contemplated quitting.

“When you are in those dark places and those tough spots, it’s hard to find the confidence,” Crick told the San Francisco Chronicle in March.

Despite his struggles, the Giants’ front office still saw the potential in Crick and formed a new plan. Crick toyed with relief duties while also serving as a starter in 2015, but then started all 23 of his appearances the next year. Before the 2017 season, there was no more messing around. Crick is now a full-time reliever in Triple-A for the Sacramento River Cats, and as he’s able to rear back and fire his blazing fastball in no more than two innings at a time, he is thriving once again on the hill.

Crick converted his fifth save of the season for the River Cats Thursday night in a 5-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds at Raley Field. With the game on the line, Crick didn’t make it easy loading the bases, but once again turned to his knack for the strikeout and struck out the side to preserve a River Cats victory.

Over 16 games this season, all out of the bullpen, Crick is enjoying career reinventions. He owns an 0-1 record with a 3.20 ERA, his lowest since that eye-opening 2013 campaign. And Crick has struck out 28 batters in 19.2 innings pitched during the 2017 campaign. The power righty leads all Pacific Coast League relievers with his career-high 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Most importantly though, Crick’s control issues are long gone so far in his new role.

Crick has only eight walks on the year. Just once, back on May 1, did he walk more than one batter in a game. From 2012-2016, Crick’s walks per nine innings went like so: 5.42, 5.11, 6.08, 9.43 and 5.53. As a reliever this season, that number has dropped down to a career-best 3.66.

This is now Crick’s sixth full season in the minors and his first crack at Triple-A after three tries at Double-A. None of that matters. What does matter, is Crick’s young age of 24 and that the numbers show his confidence may finally be back.

In an age where we want everything right now, including top prospects performing in the bigs, the key to Crick’s potential may have been patience the whole time.

Around The Horn

— Chris Shaw made his Triple-A debut for the River Cats. He went 1-for-4 including an RBI double and played left field. Here’s what Shaw had to say about his promotion: "It was exciting. That's definitely something that I was glad to hear and something that every player wants to hear. I'm getting a chance to play at the next level and get a step closer to the goal.”

— Jae-Gyun Hwang is swinging a hot bat the last two games in Sacramento. Hwang has five hits in his last nine at-bats with five RBI.

— Matt Krook, the Giants’ fourth-round pick last year, won his first game of the season in his eighth start for San Jose. The big lefty is seen as someone with huge upside but has struggled mightily with his control, walking 31 batters in 29 innings this year.

 

[Stokes1931]

Tuesday 5/30

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) (19-32) lost 10-5 (blowing a 4-0 1st inning lead)

Austin Slater 1-4, run, RBI, double (.322) played CF
Ryder Jones 2-3, 2 runs, double (.277) played 3B
Chris Shaw 1-4, run, 4 RBI, double, (.292) played LF
Tim Federowicz 2-4, RBI, double (.333)

Team RISP: 2-for-6.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
E: Ciriaco (3, fielding); Okert (1, throw).
Outfield assists: Moncrief (Vargas, I at 2nd base).
Pickoffs: Roth (Reinheimer at 1st base).

Steven Okert 1.0-1-0-0-0-2 (0.00)

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) (19-31) lost 12-2 (scoring 2 runs in the 9th)

Slade Heathcott 1-4, double (.270)
Miguel Gomez 1-4 (.333)
Brandon Bednar 2-4, run (.284)
Dylan Davis 3-4, RBI, double (.200)

GIDP: Cole; Coonrod; Moreno, R.
Team RISP: 2-for-7.
Team LOB: 7.

FIELDING
E: Coonrod (2, throw).
Pickoffs: Coonrod (Carrizales at 1st base).

Sam Coonrod (L, 1-6) 3.0-2-5-3-5-3 (5.06)
Luis Pino 2.0-2-3-3-3-2 (11.66)
Reyes Moronta 1.0-0-0-0-0-3 (4.66)
Ryan Lollis 1.0-0-0-0-2-0 (0.00)
Rando Moreno 1.0-3-4-4-2-0 (18.00)

San Jose Giants (A+) (22-30) DNP


Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-33) lost 8-2 (these guys have been terrible)

Jose Vizcaino 2-4, double (.200)
Jacob Heyward 2-4, run, double (.238)
Michael Bernal 2-4, run, RBI, triple (.357)

Team RISP: 1-for-7.
Team LOB: 4.

FIELDING
E: Fabian, S (8, throw); Riggs (1, missed catch); Vizcaino (3, throw).
PB: Bowers (2).
Outfield assists: Fabian, S (Winningham at home).

Stephen Woods (L, 2-5) 1.1-6-6-6-3-2 (4.20)
Nolan Riggs 2.2-3-2-2-1-3 (3.60)
Greg Brody 2.0-1-0-0-0-3 (0.00)
Caleb Smith 2.0-0-0-0-0-1 (0.00) sent down from San Jose

Scheduled Pitchers Tomorrow (Wednesday)

Sacramento (AAA) DNP
Richmond (AA) Taylor (2-4, 5.09)
San Jose (A+) Solter (1-0, 4.26)
Augusta (A) Adon (0-4, 3.98)

 

[LHG]

Tuesday 5/30

Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-33) lost 8-2 (these guys have been terrible)

Jose Vizcaino 2-4, double (.200)
Jacob Heyward 2-4, run, double (.238)
Michael Bernal 2-4, run, RBI, triple (.357)

Team RISP: 1-for-7.
Team LOB: 4.

FIELDING
E: Fabian, S (8, throw); Riggs (1, missed catch); Vizcaino (3, throw).
PB: Bowers (2).
Outfield assists: Fabian, S (Winningham at home).

Stephen Woods (L, 2-5) 1.1-6-6-6-3-2 (4.20)
Nolan Riggs 2.2-3-2-2-1-3 (3.60)
Greg Brody 2.0-1-0-0-0-3 (0.00)
Caleb Smith 2.0-0-0-0-0-1 (0.00) sent down from San Jose

If you look at the Augusta roster, you'll find 11 players currently on the disabled list and another 3 players listed as suspended. They also moved another 7 players off the roster to make room for 4 San Jose demotions. A lot of activity, a lot of injuries and a lot of incompetence going on in the SAL.

 

[SFGRTB]

Giants have signed Michael Cederoth, who was released from the Twins last week.

Interesting arm. 2014 3rd rounder out of San Diego State. Huge 6'6" frame. Throws from the right side. Drafted as a reliever but converted to a started, and went back to relieving mid 2015. He has not pitched this year. 24 years old, so there's still some upside there.

Fastball reaches 100. Best offspeed pitch is a slider. Only throws that one breakingball when he's a reliever. As a starter, threw a curveball and change, but they were never anything good.

Has control issues (duh). Keeps the ball on the ground, but also has 9.8 K/9 in his career.

Remember Carter Capps and his hop delivery? Cederoth does a similar hop. Funky delivery, good stuff, bad control. He'll probably go to San Jose when he's ready.

 

[calsnowskier]

Giants have signed Michael Cederoth, who was released from the Twins last week.

Interesting arm. 2014 3rd rounder out of San Diego State. Huge 6'6" frame. Throws from the right side. Drafted as a reliever but converted to a started, and went back to relieving mid 2015. He has not pitched this year. 24 years old, so there's still some upside there.

Fastball reaches 100. Best offspeed pitch is a slider. Only throws that one breakingball when he's a reliever. As a starter, threw a curveball and change, but they were never anything good.

Has control issues (duh). Keeps the ball on the ground, but also has 9.8 K/9 in his career.

Remember Carter Capps and his hop delivery? Cederoth does a similar hop. Funky delivery, good stuff, bad control. He'll probably go to San Jose when he's ready.

The Capp delivery is officially illegal now, though. So if this guy already has control issues, completely changing his delivery will just be another problem he has to overcome.

 

[SFGRTB]

The Capp delivery is officially illegal now, though. So if this guy already has control issues, completely changing his delivery will just be another problem he has to overcome.

Actually, it's still legal. The hop-drag is fine. But MLB stepped in after there was a video of Capps hopping into the hope drag (hopping twice basically). MLB said no thanks to that slippery slope and said the hop drag is it.

Legal:


Illegal:

 

[LHG]

Actually, it's still legal. The hop-drag is fine. But MLB stepped in after there was a video of Capps hopping into the hope drag (hopping twice basically). MLB said no thanks to that slippery slope and said the hop drag is it.

Legal:


Illegal:

The guy looks like he's pulling a ball out of his butt in those screen captures.

 

[Stokes1931]

Wednesday 5/31

Sacramento River Cats (AAA) (19-32) Did not play



Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) (19-31) game suspended, tied 1-1 in the 4th, to be continued tomorrow

Slade Heathcott 1-2, run, RBI, homer (7) (.273)

Cory Taylor 4.0-3-1-1-2-4 (4.84)



San Jose Giants (A+) (23-30) WON 6-1

Bryan Reynolds 2-4, run, double (.299)
Hunter Pence 1-2, run (.500)
Aramis Garcia 2-4, run, 3 RBI, double, homer (7) (.277) RBI machine, he has 33 RBI's in 35 games.
Heath Quinn 1-4, run, RBI, homer (4) (.293)
Jonah Arenado 1-4, run, 2 RBI, homer (3) (.241)

Matt Solter (W, 2-0) 6.0-4-0-0-1-4 (2.89) Undrafted last year out of Furman. Started and did OK at Augusta, has had three good starts at San Jose.
Will LaMarche 2.0-1-0-0-0-3 (2.70)
Connor Kaden 1.0-2-1-1-1-2 (4.42)

Augusta GreenJackets (A) (14-34) lost 4-3

Sandro Fabian 2-5, run (.239)
Jose Vizcaino 3-4, run, RBI, triple, (.292)

Melvin Adon (L, 0-5) 4.0-7-4-1-1-2 (3.79)
Jose Morel 2.0-0-0-0-0-1 (2.31)
Sandro Cabrera 2.0-1-0-0-0-1 (3.80)

Scheduled Pitchers Tomorrow (Thursday)

Sacramento (AAA) TBD
Richmond (AA) Game 1 continuation
Richmond (AA) Game 2 TBD
San Jose (A+) Krook (1-6, 7.45)
Augusta (A) Williams, G (1-0, 1.38)

 

[Stokes1931]

Giants minor league affiliates are all in last place

 

[calsnowskier]

Giants minor league affiliates are all in last place

Obviously an organizational strategy.

 

[Stokes1931]

Obviously an organizational strategy.

It's working really well!