Minor League round up, Aug. 31

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

The AA Richmond Flying Squirrels had their Tuesday game postponed due to the coronavirus, but the San Francisco Giants other seven teams were all in action, and combined to go 6-1. Let’s jump in.

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

All listed positions are the positions played in that game.

AAA Sacramento (44-55)

Sacramento River Cats beat the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) 6-4
Box score

The River Cats were hanging to a 4-2 lead in the 7th inning when they decided to use the power of the long ball. Center fielder Heliot Ramos (No. 3 CPL) and third baseman Wyatt Mathisen, in his second game with the team since being signed after the Seattle Mariners released him, both hit solo home runs, and suddenly Sacramento had a lead that could withstand a shaky relief appearance by RHP Sam Wolff.

The River Cats had 14 hits on the day, and while they drew only 3 walks, they only struck out 6 times. Left fielder Mike Tauchman had a 3-hit day (and an outfield assist) while right fielder Braden Bishop and shortstop Mauricio Dubón both doubled and drew a walk.

Wolff and RHP Logan Ondrusek, the starter, both had mediocre games, but the rest of the pitchers were sensational. RHP Reyes Moronta, LHP Conner Menez, RHP Norwith Gudino, RHP Tyler Cyr, and RHP Silvino Bracho pitch 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk. Bracho earned the save by striking out the side, giving him 49 strikeouts to 12 walks in 39 innings.

High-A Eugene (59-45)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks) 6-5
Box score

The Emeralds entered the top of the 9th inning trailing 5-3, but found some magic. A 2-run home run by left fielder Jairo Pomares (No. 14 CPL) tied the game, and swung all the momentum in Eugene’s direction.

It was the second home run of the day for Pomares, who also had an outfield assist, as he continues to look awesome at the High-A level after a recent promotion. The 21 year old has an .865 OPS, with 6 extra-base hits in 52 plate appearances. His swing is playing beautifully, though he still needs to work on the plate discipline, as he has 16 strikeouts without yet drawing a walk.

A few batters later, first baseman Logan Wyatt (No. 19 CPL) had a defense-assisted go-ahead double to put the Emeralds ahead for good.

LHP Jake Dahlberg had a rough start, giving up 9 hits and 4 earned runs in 3.1 innings, but the bullpen was very strong. RHP Austin Reich gave up 1 hit, 0 walks, and 0 runs in 3 innings, with 3 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 1.82 and giving him 42 strikeouts to 5 walks in 29.2 innings. LHP Chris Wright struck out 2 in 1 scoreless inning, dropping his ERA to 1.13, and giving him 52 strikeouts to 18 walks in 32 innings.

Shortstop Marco Luciano (No. 1 CPL), the unanimous top prospect in the organization, hit 1-4 and committed 2 errors.

Low-A San Jose (64-39)

San Jose Giants beat the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) 7-0
Box score

Quite a good game for the Baby Giants, and especially for catcher Patrick Bailey (No. 8 CPL), who hit 2-2 with a home run and 2 walks. Bailey’s debut season started pretty awfully, with some tough performances and injuries, but he’s been tearing up Low-A lately. In his last 11 games he’s hitting 18-41 with 4 home runs, 6 doubles, and 6 walks to 7 strikeouts.

There were also 2-hit games for first baseman Luis Toribio (No. 12 CPL), designated hitter Ghordy Santos, and left fielder Carter Williams. Santos added a triple and a stolen base to bump his OPS to .771, and Williams had a double to raise his OPS to .732.

The pitching was sensational, especially from the pitchers who bookended it. LHP Nick Swiney (No. 17 CPL), who is still building up arm strength after an injury cost him the bulk of his debut season, started and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 3 walks, and 0 runs, with 4 strikeouts. In 12 innings with San Jose, Swiney has allowed 7 hits, 7 walks, and 1 unearned run, with 22 strikeouts.

Finishing the game was RHP Cole Waites, who is also building up arm strength following an injury. He struck out 2 batters in 1 perfect inning, as he continues to dominate. In 4 Low-A innings this year he’s allowed 0 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 8.

ACL Orange (25-21)

ACL Giants Orange beat the Cubs 9-5
Box score

Good work all around for the Giants Orange team, though they did their work late, scoring 8 of their runs in innings 6 through 8.

Shortstop Aeverson Arteaga (No. 28 CPL, 18, 2019 J2), who has been struggling a little lately after a blistering hot start to the season, ended the month strong, hitting 2-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, and a stolen base, bumping his OPS to .948.

And center fielder Vaun Brown (23, 2021 10th round) continues to be red hot in his debut season, as he went 2-4 with a triple, a walk, and a stolen base to raise his OPS to 1.034.

The first-year pros also were awesome on the mound. LHP Seth Lonsway (22, 2021 6th round) made his professional debut and struck out 2 in a perfect inning. RHP Tyler Myrick (23, 2021 14th round) struck out the only batter he faced, while RHP Brett Standlee (22, 2021 17th round) struck out 2 in a perfect inning.

ACL Black (23-23)

ACL Giants Black lost to the Rockies 11-3
Box score

The Giants Black squad fell behind early and never recovered. RHP Tristan Beck (No. 13 CPL), who is rehabbing following an injury that has cost him the bulk of the season, got the start and got lit up, allowing 4 hits, 3 walks, and 5 earned runs in 1.1 innings.

However, the team got to debut two pitchers. RHP Nick Sinacola (21, 2021 7th round) allowed 0 hits and 0 walks in an inning of work, with 1 strikeout. RHP Landen Roupp (22, 2021 12th round) struggled in his debut, giving up 2 hits, 1 walk, and 2 earned runs in 1 inning, but with 2 strikeouts.

Designated hitter Rayner Santana (No. 41 CPL, 19, 2018 J2) had a strong game, hitting 2-4 with a home run to raise his OPS to .695. Outfielder Jared Dupere (22, 2021 13th round) had a 2-hit day to bump his debut OPS to .777.

DSL Orange (14-14)

DSL Giants Orange beat the Yankees2 10-9 (10 innings)
Box score

The Giants Orange and Yankees2 teams were knotted at 6-6 after 9 innings, but the Giants Orange squad allowed 3 runs in the top of the 10th, before countering with 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning to walk it off.

The walk-off hit came on a 2-run single be shortstop Ramon Peralta (17, 2020 J2), who also doubled on the day, raising his OPS to .529. Right fielder Jediael Maduro (17, 2020 J2) also had a 2-hit day with a double, raising his OPS to .716.

It wasn’t the best pitching day, but a nice performance from LHP Argenis Perez (18, 2019 J2), who allowed 0 hits and 1 walk in 2 innings, with 3 strikeouts. He has a 1.98 ERA with 12 strikeouts to 4 walks in 13.2 innings.

DSL Black (13-14)

DSL Giants Black beat the Cardinals Red 9-3
Box score

We end with a rather dominant display by the Giants Black squad. Shortstop Yeison Lemos (18, 2019 J2) had a particularly strong game, hitting 2-5 with a triple and a double to raise his OPS to .813. Catcher Brayan Ferrer (17, 2020 J2) also hit 2-5 with a double, bumping his OPS to .610, and as a team the Giants Black crew drew 10 walks to just 8 strikeouts.

The pitching was strong, and starting LHP Ricardo Estrada (19, 2020 J2) struck out 9 in 5 innings, giving him 25 strikeouts to 16 walks in 21.2 innings. RHP Samir Chires (17, 2020 J2) gave up 0 hits, 2 walks, and 0 runs in 2 innings, with 2 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.51.

Home runs

AAA Wyatt Mathisen (3)
AAA Heliot Ramos (3)
High-A Jairo Pomares, 2 (3)
Low-A Patrick Bailey (5)
ACL Aeverson Arteaga (8)
ACL Rayner Santana (2)

News

A few transactions, which unfortunately includes outfielder Hunter Bishop (No. 4 CPL) heading back to the Injured List.

Wednesday schedule

Sacramento: Off
Richmond: @ Binghamton Rumble Ponies, 3:35 p.m. PT
Eugene: @ Hillsboro Hops, 7:05 p.m. PT
San Jose: vs. Visalia Rawhide, 1:00 p.m. PT
ACL Orange: Off
ACL Black: Off
DSL Orange: Off
DSL Black: Off