Bombs Away: River Cats Go on Homer Barrage

SF Giants Minor Lines, June 17, 2025

Photo Credit: Sacramento River Cats

There was plenty of excitement yesterday for Giants’ fans, who now know exactly what the middle of the order is going to look like for their team for years to come. There was also, annoyingly, much of the same frustration that has marked the beginning of this year, but let’s consign that to the past. The future of the Giants is coming into clear view.

Clarity also had to be the result of this week’s shocking news for some players down on the farm. There’s been enough reporting of the evolution of the Rafael Devers trade for Bryce Eldridge to know that his spot in this org is secure. If the Giants’ brain trust was utterly unwilling to even discuss him as a potential return for a player of this magnitude, then he should be able to head into “trade rumors” season secure in the knowledge that his future is to be a part of the Devers-Matt Chapman-Willy Adames Giants, not a piece that helps build whatever this incarnation will turn out to be.

We might have to turn the Certainty Dial one notch to the left, but I would think that something similar is true as well for Carson Whisenhunt. With the departure of the talented Kyle Harrison, who definitely stood in front of him on the depth chart, Whisenhunt goes from potential surplus piece to first line of defense for 42-year-old Justin Verlander’s aches and pains. As I say, his comfort level come July probably won’t be as “light and fluffy pillow” tier as Eldridge’s, but he comes into much stronger focus as having a starter’s role for this club in 2026, if not sooner.

And, who knows, perhaps greater comfort and security helped both of these top prospects in the system deliver strong performances last night in Utah, as their organization announced the start of a new era.

HITTER of the NIGHT: Jack Payton (Eug), 3 for 4, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB
PITCHER of the NIGHT: Carson Whisenhunt (Sac), 5.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new Minor Lines, and I’m feeling good!