KRIZ!!!! There’s a special outpouring of affection and celebration around the baseball world when a baseball lifer like Jason Krizan finally gets that call he’s waited years to hear. To tease this week’s podcast just a bit, I was on the line with the Voice of the Sacramento River Cats, Johnny Doskow, when the word first broke that Krizan might be activated on Friday night — and things got a little emotional! The Athletic’s Andy Baggarly wrote an excellent piece on Krizan’s long journey to the top and the people rooting for him to make that final step (linked below), and tributes from other sources poured in as well.
Just a special, special weekend for a guy who really deserved it! Krizan showed his excellent approach at the plate — notably taking a close 3-2 pitch for a walk on Sunday, when he had to be aching for that first major league hit. Valor was rewarded, as he clobbered a liner the next time up (to break up a no-hitter!) for the ball that will proudly sit on the family mantle forevermore.
With cut down day looming, he’s likely headed back to Sacramento today (or a day very soon). Players who get added to the 40-man because of a COVID IL move can be removed from the 40-man without waiving them when the COVID IL player returns. The Giants may well avail themselves of that rule with Krizan, removing him from the 40-man, but not exposing him to waivers, and returning him to Sacramento, which means there might not be another opportunity coming soon. But hopefully, there will be more major league appearances in Jason’s future.
HITTER of the Weekend: Kevin Padlo (Sac), 6 for 13, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
PITCHERS of the Weekend: Nick Swiney, Cole Waites, Nick Avila (Eug), NO-HITTER!
Meet the new guy!
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