Down on the Farm (2022)

[LHG]

Today, the RiverCats released the following:
Bryan Brickhouse
Patrick Ruotolo
Kyle Tyler
Ka'ai Tom

I'm particularly sad to see Ruotolo gone. Not going to argue that it was a bad move. Just sad that his first chance at AAA went so horribly. He's done well at every other stop in the minor leagues.

Meanwhile, the Giants added Drew Jackson to the middle infield stockpile at AAA, along with Isan Diaz, Arquimedes Gamboa, Jason Krizan, Shane Matheny, Wyatt Mathison, David Villar, Jason Vosler and Donovan Walton. All but Mathison has seen time at either 2nd or short this year and Mathison has played 2nd in previous seasons.

 

[LHG]

Vaun Brown continues to hit extremely well with Eugene. Most of the outfielders in Richmond look horrible offensively. I'd love to seen Brown in AA for the last month of the minor league season.

 

[LHG]

Time for who is hot in the minor leagues - July edition. Let's start, once again, with AAA:
Hitters
Willie Calhoun - .273/.392/.455 (79 PA)
Austin Dean - .321/.433/.393 (67 PA)
Isan Diaz - .297/.390/.538 (105 PA)
Andrew Knapp - .407/.448/.926 (29 PA)
Jason Krizan - .330/.348/.591 (91 PA)
Jason Vosler - .279/.372/.529 (78 PA)

Pitchers
Tristan Beck - 4 starts, 21 IP, 0.95 WHIP, 4.26 ERA, 10.3 K/9
Luis Ortiz - 4 relief appearances, 7 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 7.7 K/9

 

[LHG]

Here are the Flying Squirrels who've done well in July:

Hitter
Tyler Fitzgerald - .257/.333/.568 (85 PA)

Pitchers
Kyle Harrison - 4 starts, 17 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 0.53 ERA, 12.7 K/9
Ryan Murphy - 1 start, 5 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 5.4 K/9
Taylor Rashi - 4 relief appearances, 5.1 IP, 0.56 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 13.5 K/9
Blake Rivera - 7 relief appearances, 8 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 1.13 ERA, 10.1 K/9
Cole Waites - 8 relief appearances, 9 IP, 0.89 WHIP, 1.00 ERA, 15 K/9
Chris Wright - 5 relief appearances, 6.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 2.84 ERA, 11.4 K/9

 

[calsnowskier]

Here are the Flying Squirrels who've done well in July:

Hitter
Tyler Fitzgerald - .257/.333/.568 (85 PA)

Pitchers
Kyle Harrison - 4 starts, 17 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 0.53 ERA, 12.7 K/9
Ryan Murphy - 1 start, 5 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 5.4 K/9
Taylor Rashi - 4 relief appearances, 5.1 IP, 0.56 WHIP, 0.00 ERA, 13.5 K/9
Blake Rivera - 7 relief appearances, 8 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 1.13 ERA, 10.1 K/9
Cole Waites - 8 relief appearances, 9 IP, 0.89 WHIP, 1.00 ERA, 15 K/9
Chris Wright - 5 relief appearances, 6.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 2.84 ERA, 11.4 K/9

Harrison may be in contention for an opening day roster spot next year.

 

[LHG]

Harrison may be in contention for an opening day roster spot next year.

What role do you see him filling? He's not throwing a lot of innings (averaged less than 5 per outing in July).

 

[calsnowskier]

What role do you see him filling? He's not throwing a lot of innings (averaged less than 5 per outing in July).

What MLB starters are throwing more?

if rosters were being set today, I probably move Wood to the swing and put Harrison as the #5. That is assuming they acquire a #1/#2. Rodon would be considered an “acquisition” in this context.

 

[LHG]

What MLB starters are throwing more?

if rosters were being set today, I probably move Wood to the swing and put Harrison as the #5. That is assuming they acquire a #1/#2. Rodon would be considered an “acquisition” in this context.

I know Harrison looks really good. Do you see this FO jumping a guy from AA straight to the starting rotation? He is one of their draftees so they may change the rules on how they handle him. I'm just not sure I see them pulling the trigger on his promotion that quickly.

 

[calsnowskier]

I know Harrison looks really good. Do you see this FO jumping a guy from AA straight to the starting rotation? He is one of their draftees so they may change the rules on how they handle him. I'm just not sure I see them pulling the trigger on his promotion that quickly.

Traditionally, BIG prospects skip AAA. AAA is more of the MLB bench. AA is where prospects prove themselves.

That said, I have no idea what this FO is doing. I am a fool for even pretending to predict that they might do 6 months ahead of time.

 

[LHG]

Hot hitters and pitchers for the month of July from Eugene:

Hitters
Carter Aldrete - .327/.452/.551 (62 PA)
Vaun Brown - .294/.373/.565 (102 PA)
Robert Emery - .367/.513/.500 (39 PA)
Riley Mahan - .276/.324/.655 (34 PA)
Casey Schmitt - .257/.350/.457 (120 PA)
Luis Toribio - .238/.347/.548 (98 PA)

Pitchers
Mat Olsen - 6 relief appearances, 8 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 1.13 ERA, 10.1 K/9
Landon Roupp - 4 starts, 18.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 1.96 ERA, 14.2 K/9
Juan Sanchez - 10 relief appearances, 12.2 IP, 0.79 WHIP, 1.42 ERA, 12.8 K/9
Keaton Winn - 5 starts, 23.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 1.93 ERA, 10 K/9

At this point in his young professional career, Vaun Brown is hitting a total .345/.435/.628 in 435 at-bats. I'd love to see him in AA right now.

 

[calsnowskier]

Hot hitters and pitchers for the month of July from Eugene:

Hitters
Carter Aldrete - .327/.452/.551 (62 PA)
Vaun Brown - .294/.373/.565 (102 PA)
Robert Emery - .367/.513/.500 (39 PA)
Riley Mahan - .276/.324/.655 (34 PA)
Casey Schmitt - .257/.350/.457 (120 PA)
Luis Toribio - .238/.347/.548 (98 PA)

Pitchers
Mat Olsen - 6 relief appearances, 8 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 1.13 ERA, 10.1 K/9
Landon Roupp - 4 starts, 18.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 1.96 ERA, 14.2 K/9
Juan Sanchez - 10 relief appearances, 12.2 IP, 0.79 WHIP, 1.42 ERA, 12.8 K/9
Keaton Winn - 5 starts, 23.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 1.93 ERA, 10 K/9

At this point in his young professional career, Vaun Brown is hitting a total .345/.435/.628 in 435 at-bats. I'd love to see him in AA right now.

So far Vaun has spit at everything he has seen. Kicking him up the ladder seems the right move. But we have no idea what his defense is like. And as a 10th rounder, he doesn’t have the cache that Belt had as a 4th rounder. He will need to more than prove himself at every level.

but at this point, without looking at specifics, I would think he definitely an org top 20 prospect, and he might be pushing top 10. This season has been a real eye opener. Next to Barts emergence since getting back with the big club, Vaun’s season may be the most positive thing to come out of this season.

 

[LHG]

So far Vaun has spit at everything he has seen. Kicking him up the ladder seems the right move. But we have no idea what his defense is like. And as a 10th rounder, he doesn’t have the cache that Belt had as a 4th rounder. He will need to more than prove himself at every level.

but at this point, without looking at specifics, I would think he definitely an org top 20 prospect, and he might be pushing top 10. This season has been a real eye opener. Next to Barts emergence since getting back with the big club, Vaun’s season may be the most positive thing to come out of this season.

That is true but now there is the universal DH (sorry for writing such vulgar language) and he has more than proved himself at Eugene. He's hitting in a whole other level then the rest of that club. It was almost like he wasn't promoted as his numbers are very similar to what he was doing with San Jose. If he can go to Richmond and post anything over an .800 OPS in his last month I'd say he's done well.

 

[calsnowskier]

That is true but now there is the universal DH (sorry for writing such vulgar language)

 

[LHG]

Hitters and pitchers doing well in San Jose this past month:

Hitters
Hayden Cantrelle - .274/.402/.438 (92 PA)
Jared Dupere - .318/.412/.545 (51 PA)
Grant McCray - .280/.373/.473 (108 PA)
Carter Williams - .356/.443/.511 (106 PA)

Pitchers
Ben Madison - 7 relief appearances, 11 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 2.45 ERA, 18 K/9 (!)
Trevor McDonald - 5 starts, 23 IP, 1.57 WHIP, 1.96 ERA, 9.4 K/9
Matt Mikulski - 3 relief appearances, 9.1 IP, 1.50 WHIP, 0.91 ERA, 11.6 K/9
Tyler Myrick - 7 relief appearances, 8 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 1.00 ERA, 11.3 K/9
Nick Sinacola - 5 starts, 25.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 2.10 ERA, 10.2 K/9

 

[calsnowskier]

Very aged information, but I just came across it today…

A couple years ago, the Giants had an OF by the name of Luis Alexander Basabe. He played 9 games with the big club, but he was a AAA depth piece. Anyway, I just read that he is Luis Matos’ cousin. I did not know that at the time (Matos was already on prospect hounds’ radars). I am certain that was one of the reasons we even had him in or system.

 

[calsnowskier]

I was looking for some recent scouting reports on Matos and why he has had such a disastrous season. I was only able to find a story about his slow start in May, but nothing more recent. Does anyone have anything more recent on him?

 

[LHG]

I was looking for some recent scouting reports on Matos and why he has had such a disastrous season. I was only able to find a story about his slow start in May, but nothing more recent. Does anyone have anything more recent on him?

I haven't seen anything. I only assumed that it is because he is fairly young. He even got sent to ACL Giants Black for about a week. Probably in hopes that would help him regain his stroke.

I will say that there are a number of outfielders who I expected more out of this year.

 

[calsnowskier]

I haven't seen anything. I only assumed that it is because he is fairly young. He even got sent to ACL Giants Black for about a week. Probably in hopes that would help him regain his stroke.

I will say that there are a number of outfielders who I expected more out of this year.

Pomares is doing OK, but my excitement for him has diminished. Matos has just about fallen off my list entirely. Brown has, of course, shot up my list. Bishop has played, at least, but that is all I can give him credit for.
….

 

[LHG]

Pomares is doing OK, but my excitement for him has diminished. Matos has just about fallen off my list entirely. Brown has, of course, shot up my list. Bishop has played, at least, but that is all I can give him credit for.
….

I had some modest expectations for Ismael Munguia, Franklin Labour and Diego Rincones. Munguia, however, has been on Sacramento's IL all season and both Labour and Rincones have succumbed to Richmond's bat graveyard.
Carter Williams has really heated up with San Jose and PJ Hilson is finally hitting in the ACL. However, both are a little old for their respective leagues.

 

[tzill]

From the Athletic, Lockhard interviewing Kyle Haines:

Obviously, Luis Matos has had a season statistically that has probably been disappointing for him. How has he been able to handle that? Since he came back from his injury, what do you see as realistic goals for him for the final month of the season?

I just don’t want to see him try to make up for months of disappointment by trying to go 3 for 4 every day. I think if we can just see what Matos is capable of being every day and have a good consistent finish to the year, we’ll take that as a positive. Definitely the slow start, we mentioned the weather, we mentioned the injury, and then he comes back and all of a sudden he looks up and he’s pretty deep in the season and probably doesn’t feel like he has a lot of time to make up for the slow start. But I’ve seen a lot of people who do. I flashback to Nate Schierholtz in August one year back years ago and remember how he looked bad on Aug. 1, by the end of year, he looked up and he had a great year. I think we’re hoping for something like that. It’s still possible. He’s shown flashes of being the Luis Matos of last year, it just hasn’t come out nearly as consistently as we saw last year.

He’s obviously a very aggressive hitter, and his ability to touch the ball anywhere is what makes him so special. But do you think that a season like this is helpful at this stage of development because there is that recognition that not every pitch is worth hitting? Maybe it’s not as obvious in Low A when it’s easier to make hard contact on all those kinds of pitches.

I hope so. I hope it’s a benefit in the long run. That’s what I keep telling myself. But obviously, it’s just been a disappointing year for him. I don’t know too many hitters who haven’t went through some type of really tough stretch in their life. And the international kids I just feel awful for them because people forget guys like Dansby Swanson were awful at Vanderbilt as freshmen, and no one remembers it because (college baseball) really is not on the platform that the international kids are asked to perform on. As soon as they have one down year, or have that growth year, people are really quick to criticize. But some of the other kids who are their same age are able to have a down year in college and then rebound for their junior year and then succeed going forward. But I really do believe that most good hitters have to go through some tough stretches in their career for ultimate growth in the long term. And hopefully, this was one of those.