James Tibbs III On the Move Again!

SF Giants Minor Lines, August 20, 2024

Photo Credit: Richmond Flying Squirrels

Following seven consecutive multi-hit games, and an overall 17 for 41 line (.415), the Giants pulled the quick trigger, moving James Tibbs III up to Eugene for the remainder of the season. That’s exciting and all…but now he has to miss the Cal League playoffs!

But seriously, Tibbs wasted no time showing off the advanced hit tool that enticed the Giants to make him the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft. Tibbs isn’t a particularly imposing physical player. Seeing him in action this weekend across the field from the A’s hulking and powerful Nick Kurtz (who went nine picks before Tibbs but was originally one of the college hitters I thought might be in play at the 13th pick) made it very clear that Tibbs’ profile isn’t likely to develop into a masher known for titanic blasts and incredible feats of strength.

But he has a great understanding of the strike zone, a simple, clean, repeatable stroke, and a knack for barreling up the baseball. A scout I spoke to yesterday who watched Tibbs’ final series in San Jose compared him to a Boston-era Andrew Benintendi (without the 20 SB speed), and that feels like a solid mental image: a player who works good at bats, walks plenty, and fires liners all around the field. A hitters’ hitter. And like Benintendi, who reached Boston by the end of his second year in the minors, it might not take Tibbs all that long to translate his virtues into a finished product. Tibbs’ move up to Eugene means that the Emeralds will be featuring the Giants’ last two 1st round picks back-to-back in the middle of their order, and might put the two left-handed hitters in developmental lockstep for the next year or so…

HITTER of the NIGHT: Robert Hipwell (SJ), 2 for 6, 2 2b, 3 RBI, 2 K
PITCHER of the NIGHT: Mason Black (Sac), 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

With Tibbs out of action for the night as he traveled north, it seems like most of the rest of the bats in the org took the night off out of solidarity. Maybe not literally true, but hits were hard to come by, and victories frustratingly hard to grasp. Let’s get to the Lines!

Attaboy, Mr. Tibbs!