Down on the Farm (2023)

[calsnowskier]

At this point, I hope the Giants can use Ramos as a trade option to bring someone of value in return that FZ would actually like. However, unfortunately, that would probably mean selling low on the guy. Ramos turned 24 today so he is still young. Some organization that gives him the right instruction and the room to play would probably get a solid major league regular or a good platoon outfielder. Not sure what the return would look like right now.
I'd much prefer the Giants keep Ramos but I'm concerned he'll just rot in the system at this point. Give him a better shot with someone else rather than just get buried in the Giants' org.

I am sure they can get a package of a 28 yo AAAA journeyman middle infielder and a 24 yo AA reliever on the 40 with no options left.

 

[tzill]

I think we have a lot of really good SP talent pretty close to ready for the majors:

Winn: in AAA, should be in the rotation out of ST next year
Black: in AAA, on the doorstep
McDonald: in A+, absolutely killing it. I could see him in AAA by the end of 24 and in SF in 25
Birdsong: in AA and probably comes up some time next year
Teng: in AAA, probably should be up by now, certainly in the rotation mix next year.
Whisenhunt: in A+, maybe a cup in 24

I'm super excited about Birdsong, Teng, and Whisenhunt.

Winn is already one of our 5 best SP in the org right now.

 

[LHG]

I think we have a lot of really good SP talent pretty close to ready for the majors:

Winn: in AAA, should be in the rotation out of ST next year
Black: in AAA, on the doorstep
McDonald: in A+, absolutely killing it. I could see him in AAA by the end of 24 and in SF in 25
Birdsong: in AA and probably comes up some time next year
Teng: in AAA, probably should be up by now, certainly in the rotation mix next year.
Whisenhunt: in A+, maybe a cup in 24

I'm super excited about Birdsong, Teng, and Whisenhunt.

Winn is already one of our 5 best SP in the org right now.

I thought Whisenhunt was in AA before getting injured.

McDonald lost most of the year to injury. When he has been healthy, he generally has been really good. I think his problem will be staying healthy.

Teng I'm a lot less excited about. He's struggled a lot in the minors with the Giants. I was a bit surprised when he got promoted this year from AA to AAA because his numbers in AA weren't that good. However, he has done better in AAA then AA and that is impressive.

I hope Winn gets a shot in the rotation. Just not sure how likely that is for him and/or Beck under FZ. He seems intent on making most guys bulk pitchers.

Black probably needs a bit more time in AAA but could be pushing the door open to the bigs early next year.

Birdsong will need some more time in AA before he looks like a legit contender for a big league roster spot.

But yes, some of the guys that the team has drafted the past couple of years have some potential. Hopefully it translates on a few of them.

 

[tzill]

As expected, Marco Luciano is back with Sacramento after missing over a month with a hamstring injury. He could still help the Giants down the stretch.

 

[LHG]

Really seems tacky to release players just days before the end of the minor league season. Why not let them play out the last few days and then hit free agency?

Giants Release Johan Camargo

The Giants have released veteran infielder Johan Camargo, who'd been playing with their Triple-A club in Sacramento, per the transaction …

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[tzill]

Fellow wolf of the pack Trenton Brooks has really had a nice year in 2022, hitting 22 home runs with a .933 OPS and as many strikeouts (70) as walks (70). Pretty extreme platoon splits as well but being way more favorable against RHP (1.041 OPS).

At 28, not quite a prospect, but might be in the mix for a bench spot in 24.

 

[calsnowskier]

Fellow wolf of the pack Trenton Brooks has really had a nice year in 2022, hitting 22 home runs with a .933 OPS and as many strikeouts (70) as walks (70). Pretty extreme platoon splits as well but being way more favorable against RHP (1.041 OPS).

At 28, not quite a prospect, but might be in the mix for a bench spot in 24.

I am guessing he will be a minor league FA after this season (not certain how that works out). But he is pretty much restricted to Left and 1B, so unless they REALLY like his bat, I just don’t see it happening.

 

[LHG]

I am guessing he will be a minor league FA after this season (not certain how that works out). But he is pretty much restricted to Left and 1B, so unless they REALLY like his bat, I just don’t see it happening.

He should be a free agent this offseason. I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants re-sign him and offer him an invitation to spring training.

 

[calsnowskier]

He should be a free agent this offseason. I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants re-sign him and offer him an invitation to spring training.

I can see that. But as a fan, I don’t really see him as radar-worthy.

 

[Stokes1931]

Tonight in Sacramento, against the Space Cowboys

Luciano is 3-4 with two solo homers

Fitz is 1-3 with his 26th stolen base, but hey, you know, we cannot possibly use power nor speed at the MLB level. Just keep taking five singles to score one run.

Black 5 innings, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 2 walks, 6 K's

 

[LHG]

Tonight in Sacramento, against the Space Cowboys

Luciano is 3-4 with two solo homers

Fitz is 1-3 with his 26th stolen base, but hey, you know, we cannot possibly use power nor speed at the MLB level. Just keep taking five singles to score one run.

Black 5 innings, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 2 walks, 6 K's

Fitz not given a shot at the bigs is really puzzling. Camargo is the answer but not Fitzgerald!?!?!

 

[tzill]

BRING UP FITZ
BRING UP LUCY
DFA DEJONG
IL WILMER

 

[LHG]

Joe Ross is now active with the RiverCats. I would not be surprised to see him up for the last week or two of the season (like they did with Alexander last year). However, if he is signed to a two year minor league deal, and that deal becomes null and void if he is on the 40 man roster, they may opt to keep him in the minors and see how he looks in spring training next year.

 

[tzill]

Some good write ups on 2023 minor league standouts today in The Athletic

1b: Wyatt and Roby
2b: Glowenke and this guy

Damon Dues​

Since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021 out of Wright State, Dues has been an on-base machine when he’s been on the field. He’s been limited to 82 games this season, mostly with Eugene, but has a remarkable .417 OBP and 31 stolen bases in that stretch. He’s received the bulk of his playing time at second base but can play all over the field.

 

[tzill]

SS: Fitz and this guy

Diego Velasquez​

Velasquez was the Giants’ top international signing in 2021. After two relatively nondescript seasons in Rookie ball, Velasquez made his full-season debut with Low-A San Jose in his age-19 season. He was outstanding from start to finish, posting a .298/.387/.434 line with 41 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases in 111 games. He split his time evenly at second base and short and Haines gave Velasquez solid marks at both positions.

“Really good glove at second, can play short, switch hitter, good hands, plus bat-to-ball (skills),” Haines said. “He’s a very consistent bat-to-ball, 19-year-old middle infielder. I think we will take that all day.”

 

[tzill]

3b: Villar and this guy

Thomas Gavello​

With Casey Schmitt spending most of the season in the big leagues, he left a bit of a vacuum of true third base prospects in the Giants’ system. Gavello is more of a super-utility player than a third baseman, but he played 49 of his 88 games at third, while also logging time at catcher as well as second base, and even making three pitching appearances. The University of the Pacific product hit only .239 but posted a .380 OBP and a .787 OPS while hitting 11 home runs between San Jose and Eugene.

“Thomas did a really nice job,” Haines said. “Sneaky ‘little man power’. … Just a very versatile player all around. We’ll see where next year takes him but it was a really good year, start to finish, for him.”

 

[tzill]

C: These two guys

Adrian Sugastey​

Bailey might be the Giants’ answer at catcher for the next several years, but they have two more intriguing backstop options coming up the ranks in Sugastey and honorable mention Onil Perez (more on him below). Sugastey spent all season with Eugene, where he hit .298/.333/.423 with only 37 strikeouts in 248 at-bats over 63 games. He played well behind the plate, throwing out 27 percent of base-stealers at a level where it can be very difficult to control the running game. The 20-year-old hit only four home runs but is still growing into his lean, 6-foot-1 frame, and Haines sees more power in his future. He has a plus throwing arm and is just learning how to game-plan behind the plate, but Haines was very pleased with Sugastey’s progress this season.

Onil Perez​

Haines was similarly pleased with the progress Perez made in his season, which began in San Jose and finished in Eugene. For the year, the 21-year-old hit .299/.364/.403 with just 31 strikeouts in 253 at-bats and 23 stolen bases. Perez is built differently than Sugastey — more stout and muscular — but has similar bat-to-ball skills and also has a strong arm behind the plate. He threw out 28 percent of would-be base-stealers this season.

 

[tzill]

OF: Meckler, McCray, Ramos, Matos and these guys

Victor Bericoto​

With Jairo Pomares sidelined most of the year by injury, Bericoto stepped into the role as the top power-hitting outfielder in the Giants’ system. After hitting 12 homers in 107 games in San Jose last year, Bericoto leads the farm system with 27 in 122 games split between Eugene and Richmond. The 21-year-old has an .840 OPS despite playing in two pitcher-friendly leagues. Bericoto has always flashed this kind of potential, according to Haines, but this is the first year he’s performed consistently enough to raise his profile significantly. He’s limited to the corners and still has work to do to control the strike zone better, but he will be a player to watch going into 2024.

Guillermo Williamson​

Williamson signed with the Giants in January 2021 but didn’t make his pro debut until last season in the Dominican Summer League. After a solid year, he came stateside in 2023 and was one of the Arizona Complex League’s top hitters. In 56 games, he hit .285/.415/.511 with nine homers. He has some swing-and-miss to his game but also walks a lot and has shown plus power.

“It’s power over bat,” Haines said. “Left-handed power bat. First base, corner outfield profile. He was arguably the most consistent (among the Giants’ ACL players) from start to finish.”

 

[tzill]

SP: Black, Teng, Birdsong, Whisenhunt and these guys

Ryan Murphy, RHP​

Murphy was one of the stars of the Giants’ system in 2021, when he had a 2.52 ERA in 107 innings. He struggled with injuries and his command backed up some in 2022, and he fell off a lot of prospect radars coming into this season. He didn’t quite get back to the level he pitched at in 2021, but he was solid all year for Richmond, posting a 4.36 ERA with a 107/51 K/BB in 107 1/3 innings.

“He’s been an under-the-radar positive story for us,” Haines said. “Last year the injury bug got him and this year it was just kind of trying to reestablish that he’s healthy and that he’s strong. And I think he did that.”

Carson Seymour, RHP​

After coming over from the Mets for Darin Ruf last season, Seymour made a solid first impression in six late-season starts with Eugene. He continued that momentum this season with a strong campaign for Richmond. In 112 2/3 innings, Seymour had a 3.99 ERA and a 114/43 K/BB. He did a nice job keeping the ball in the park (eight homers allowed), though his walk rate crept up a little from last year. Seymour throws hard and pairs his fastball with a biting slider. His command issues could lead to a bullpen role down the line, but he’s got big-league potential.

 

[tzill]

RP:

Wil Jensen, RHP​

Jensen was pushed into a bulk relief/opener role thanks to the sheer number of Double-A starting pitching prospects the Giants have right now, and he handled the role extremely well, posting a 2.53 ERA in 89 innings. His walks creeped up (41), but he struck out more than a batter an inning (93).

“He probably doesn’t jump off the page stuff-wise with any one electric pitch, but he’s got multiple good pitches,” Haines said.

Nick Avila, RHP​

The Giants lost Avila in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft last December, but he didn’t make the White Sox’s roster out of spring training and was returned to San Francisco. He’s spent all season in Triple A, where he’s gone a perfect 14-0 with a 3.13 ERA in 69 innings. His K-rate has dipped a bit and his walks have gone up from previous seasons, but Avila has still been plenty effective in a league that often eats relievers for lunch. He could get another shot at a major-league role next spring, this time in Scottsdale.

Tyler Myrick, RHP​

Myrick has been at the back of the bullpen for Eugene and then Richmond all season, converting all 15 of his save opportunities and posting a 1.24 ERA in 51 innings. He aggressively attacks the strike zone and gets a lot of early-count groundball contact. His K/BB for the season is 46/16 and he’s allowed just three home runs.

Dylan Cumming, RHP​

After pitching in independent ball, Cumming was signed to a minor-league contract in the offseason and had a strong debut in affiliated baseball. Filling a long relief/spot starter role for San Jose, Cumming had a 2.39 ERA and a 86/36 K/BB. Another groundball pitcher, Cumming allowed only five homers in 92 innings this season.