Minor League round up, Aug. 30

A round up of the San Francisco Giants Minor League affiliates.

The San Francisco Giants affiliates only had four games on Monday, as AA, High-A, and Low-A were off, while one of the organization’s Arizona Complex League teams had a game canceled due to forfeiture.

Let’s dive into the action.

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

All listed positions are the positions played in that game.

AAA Sacramento (43-55)

Sacramento River Cats lost to the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) 6-5
Box score

The River Cats lost, but it was a pretty good day for the organization’s infield depth, which has been a shining star of the season. First baseman Jason Krizan had 2 home runs, running his OPS to .895; it was his second straight game with 2 home runs. The existence of namesake Jason Vosler has kept Krizan from getting called up thus far, but he’s certainly a strong depth piece.

Third baseman Wyatt Mathisen, whom the Giants signed after watching him play for the Tacoma Rainers last week, made his organizational debut and hit 2-4 with a double. Second baseman Thairo Estrada, shortstop Mauricio Dubón, and pinch-hitter Arismendy Alcántara also doubled, meaning that 6 of the team’s 7 extra-base hits came from infielders. The lone exception was a home run from center fielder Steven Duggar, who is starting to find the rhythm he had at the MLB level before being optioned.

RHP Sean Hjelle (No. 11 CPL) made his fourth AAA start, and struggled again, though it was his best appearance in terms of strikeouts. In 5.2 innings, Hjelle allowed 6 hits, 4 walks, 6 runs, and 5 earned runs, with 4 strikeouts. He has a 6.65 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP, with just 9 strikeouts to 13 walks in 23 innings.

The bullpen of RHP Reyes Moronta, LHP Caleb Baragar, and RHP Silvino Bracho combined for 2.1 perfect innings of relief.

ACL Orange (24-21)

ACL Giants Orange beat the Rockies 12-5
Box score

A very good offensive day for the Giants Orange squad, with half of their 12 hits going for extra bases. A trio of players had 3-hit days, led by Vaun Brown (23, 2021 10th round), who went 3-5 with a home run, a double, and a stolen base. His debut season is going quite nicely, as he now has a .979 OPS.

Second baseman Yeiver Torrealba (19, 2018 J2) was a perfect 3-3 with 2 doubles, bumping his OPS to .785, and shortstop Aeverson Arteaga (No. 28 CPL, 18, 2019 J2) hit 3-5 with a stolen base to raise his OPS to .918.

On the pitching front, it was the professional debut of the team’s latest top draft pick, RHP Will Bednar (21, 2021 1st round). The Giants eased Bednar in with just 1 inning of work, but he was perfect in that inning, and struck out a batter. It will be fun to watch him as the workload increases.

RHP Willian Suarez (23, 2015 J2) struck out 7 in 3.2 no-hit innings of relief.

DSL Orange (13-14)

DSL Giants Orange lost to the Yankees2 4-2
Box score

A poor offensive day for the Giants Orange team, as they had just 3 hits in a 9-inning game. No one reached base more than once, and a double by right fielder Eliam Sandoval (17, 2020 J2) was the top offensive contribution, moving Sandoval’s OPS to .654.

The pitchers also allowed just 3 hits, but issued 8 walks on the day. It was a very strong start for RHP Miguel Mora (19, 2019 J2), who pitch 4.2 innings and allowed 1 hit, 2 walks, and 1 unearned run, with 6 strikeouts. He has a 4.13 ERA, with 29 strikeouts to 10 walks in 24 innings.

DSL Black (12-14)

DSL Giants Black beat the Cardinals Red 4-0
Box score

Pretty solid day for the Giants Black team. Their offense recorded 10 hits, and struck out only 4 times all day. Strong performances by second baseman Gustavo Cardozo (17, 2020 J2), who hit 2-3 with a double, a walk, and 2 stolen bases to raise his OPS to .766; designated hitter Brayan Ferrer (17, 2020 J2), who hit 2-4 with a double to bump his OPS to .562; and center fielder Estanlin Cassiani (18, 2019 J2), who had a triple and a stolen base, and now has a .911 OPS.

The pitching was awesome, with 5 pitchers combining to allow just 2 hits and 2 walks. RHPs Yonathan Ochoa (18, 2020 J2) and Ismael Mota (20, 2019 J2) were particularly strong, with the former striking out 2 in 3 perfect innings, and the latter allowing 1 hit in 1.1 innings, while recording all 4 outs by way of strikeout.

Home runs

AAA Jason Krizan, 2 (14)
AAA Steven Duggar (1)
ACL Vaun Brown (2)

Tuesday schedule

Sacramento: @ Reno Aces, 6:35 p.m. PT
Richmond: @ Binghamton Rumble Ponies, 3:35 p.m. PT
Eugene: @ Hillsboro Hops, 7:05 p.m. PT
San Jose: vs. Visalia Rawhide, 6:30 p.m. PT
ACL Orange: vs. Cubs
ACL Black: vs. Rockies
DSL Orange: vs. Yankees2
DSL Black: vs. Cardinals Red