Way Too Early Roster Preview: Richmond Flying Squirrels

Is this the year everything starts coming up Squirrel?

Photo Credit: Kirk Nawrotzky | Richmond Flying Squirrels

This is the third in a series of “way too early” roster previews for the Giants’ four full-season affiliates. So far, we’ve fake-GM’d up a roster for:

• Low A San Jose Giants

• High A Eugene Emeralds

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, let’s be honest, have not often been the glamour spot of prospect watching in the Giants system over their decade-plus existence. Part of that, of course, is the natural attrition of climbing the ladder. Double-A is where the difficulty factor really cranks up, and in the case of Richmond, that can be particularly true for hitters who must deal with both nasty Double-A pitchers and the tough hitting conditions at The Diamond. The bottom of any organization is where the shiny “kids to dream on” often reside — the ones who are all promise because we haven’t watched them fail publicly yet. Double-A is the harsh smack of a bucket of cold water being thrown on your face to wake you up from your dream, and it’s been a while since the Giants really had prospects who could overcome that smack. Many a Gary Brown has broken up on those rocks.

With all that said, the good fans of Richmond really have drawn the short stick for many years running now. Last year’s 57-56 team was the first winning group since 2015, and just the fourth edition with a winning record in the 11-year franchise history. Their total record over that time is 50 games below .500 (734-785) and they’ve been to the Eastern League playoffs just once. Honestly, it’s time to give these folks something to cheer for! (you know…other than the franchise home run record — that was nice!)

And what can make a fanbase feel optimistic more than not one, but two championship rosters filtering their way up and into town? The 2022 edition of the Squirrels could end up being the best group of talent they’ve ever seen in these parts — maybe not immediately, but by the time it’s all said and done, this should finally be the Summer of Squirrel in Giants propsect-land!