Time runs short. After tomorrow, we’ll have finished the regular season for four of the Giants’ eight minor league clubs. That means we’re veering ever closer to a Season Stats Review, rather than weekly ones. We’re closer and closer to “baked in” stats, which will remain unchanging forevermore as a testament to what kind of year a player had, for good or for ill.
We’re also well into the period when a player’s stats at any one level aren’t necessarily reflective of their year as a whole, as some players have three or four levels to their name at this point. But, with that context, let’s sally forth to see what the numbers have to say about the year with our weekly roundup of stats, leaders, and transactions.
If you make it all the way to the bottom, you’ll get to read about P.J. Hilson’s big game in the desert last night!
Sacramento River Cats: 50-67, 5th Place (17.0 GB)
-92 Run Differential
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
PCL LEADERS*
David Villar: OBP (3rd), SLG (1st), OPS (1st), HR (T-2nd), RBI (3rd), BB% (4th), BB/K (9th), ISO (1st), wRC+ (1st), FB% (2nd)
Isan Diaz: OBP (10th), SLG (4th), OPS (4th), HR (5th), BB% (9th), ISO (2nd), wRC+ (4th), FB% (6th)
Bryce Johnson: SB (5th)
Austin Dean: 3b (5th)
Heliot Ramos: GB% (8th)
Enmanuel De Jesus: ERA (10th), FIP (8th), K% (8th), SwS% (8th)
Tristan Beck: FIP (4th), BB% (8th), K-BB% (9th), WHIP (T-10th), SwS% (9th)
Sean Hjelle: LD% (1st), GB% (1st)
Joey Marciano: Saves (8th)
Shelby Miller: Saves (T-9th)
*IP level set at 70 for this week for all full season affiliates.
TRANSACTIONS (not including recall/options to/from SF)*
OF Bryce Johnson placed on 7-day IL
INF Dixon Machado cleared waivers and outrighted to Sacramento
RHP Randy Rodriguez re-assigned from Richmond
RHP Angel Rondón released
INF Will Wilson sent to ACL Giants Orange on rehab
INF Arquimedes Gamboa released
RHP Ronnie Williams re-assigned to Sacramento from ACL Giants Orange
INF Donovan Walton sent to ACL Giants Orange on rehab (transferred to 60-day IL)
LHP Andrew Vasquez claimed on waivers from Phillies and assigned to Sacramento
INF Shane Matheny re-assigned to Richmond
OF Willie Calhoun activated from 7-day IL
OF Steele Walker cleared waivers and outrighted to Sacramento
RHP Gregory Santos placed on 7-day IL
*There was no Stats Review last week, so Transactions covers the period 8/8 - 8/22 this week. There were a LOT of transactions the last two weeks!
Richmond Flying Squirrels: 15-29, 5th Place (13.5 GB)
-20 Run Differential
Oddly, the Squirrels overall season record (55-58) is just the fifth best in their division, despite their capture of the 1st half title! Their run differential for the year is -4, which more or less backs up the record, but they sure caught lightning in a bottle back in late May!
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
EL LEADERS
Frankie Tostado: Avg (2nd)
Sean Roby: HR (T-3rd), SO (T-5th), ISO (4th), FB% (10th)
Tyler Fitzgerald: HR (8th), Runs (T-8th), SO (2nd), FB% (2nd)
Diego Rincones: K% (1st)
Michael Gigliotti: OBP (10th), BB (T-9th), SB (6th), BB% (3rd), SwS% (9th)
Brett Auerbach: SO (10th)
Jake Dahlberg: IP (10th)
Kai-Wei Teng: IP (4th), SO (2nd), BB (1st), GB% (4th)
Matt Frisbee: IP (1st), SO (8th), BB% (T-10th), LD% (5th), FB% (5th)
Kyle Harrison is third overall in the minor leagues in strikeouts (153) and has the highest K% of any pitcher with 60 IP (40.7%).
TRANSACTIONS:
RHP Ofelky Peralta re-assigned from Eugene
RHP Randy Rodriguez re-assigned to Sacramento
INF Casey Schmitt re-assigned from Eugene
RHP Melvin Adon re-assigned from San Jose
RHP Jorge Guzman placed on 7-day IL
RHP Solomon Bates released
RHP Trenton Toplikar released
INF Sean Roby placed on 7-day IL
RHP Taylor Rashi placed on 7-day IL (later transferred to 60-day)
INF Frankie Tostado transferred from 7-day to 60-day IL
RHP John Russell released
RHP Keaton Winn re-assigned from Eugene
RHP Landen Roupp re-assigned from Eugene
OF Diego Rincones placed on 7-day IL
OF Michael Gigliotti placed on 60-day IL
INF Shane Matheny re-assigned from Sacramento
RHP Ryan Murphy sent to ACL Giants Black on rehab assignment
Whew! That is a LOT of IL activity!
HONORS
For the fourth time in the last three weeks, Richmond saw one of its players honored as an Eastern League Player of the Week. Tyler Fitzgerald went 8 for 18 with two doubles and three home runs in his award winning week.
Eugene Emeralds: 30-18, 1st Place
+73 Run Differential
Over the full season, Eugene is 25 games above .500, and their Run Differential of +124 is 87 better than the only other team in the league with a positive ratio. They have been, by far, the class of the league and have set themselves up well to take their second consecutive league championship — although anything can happen in a short series.
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
NWL LEADERS
Casey Schmitt: Avg (6th), OBP (4th), SLG (2nd), OPS (1st), HR (3rd), Hits (8th), Runs (4th), RBI (T-2nd), K% (6th), BB/K (5th), ISO (3rd), wRC+ (1st), FB% (2nd), SwS% (10th)
Carter Aldrete: HR (T-5th)
Hunter Bishop: SLG (8th), HR (T-9th), ISO (4th), GB% (T-6th)
Luis Toribio: SLG (6th), OPS (10th), HR (2nd), BB (5th), SO (2nd), BB% (4th), ISO (2nd), GB% (T-6th), FB% (4th)
Jairo Pomares: Avg (9th), SLG (5th), OPS (7th), HR (T-7th), 2b (T-7th), RBI (T-6th), SO (3rd), ISO (5th), wRC+ (7th), FB% (3rd)
Andy Thomas: OBP (1st), OPS (6th), BB (3rd), BB% (1st), BB/K (1st), wRC+ (4th), SwS% (1st)
Luis Matos: K% (1st), BB/K (9th), FB% (1st)
Patrick Bailey: BB (T-6th)
Nick Swiney: ERA (4th), FIP (3rd), BB (T-9th), K% (3rd), K-BB% (5th), Opp Avg (1st), WHIP (4th), BABIP (5th), LD% (2nd), FB% (1st), SwS% (2nd)
Jake Wong: FIP (7th), K% (8th), LD% (1st), GB% (3rd), SwS% (10th)
Nick Avila: Saves (1st)
Juan Sanchez: Saves (T-8th)
TRANSACTIONS
OF Carter Williams re-assigned from San Jose
LHP John Gavin re-assigned from San Jose
INF Casey Schmitt re-assigned to Richmond
RHP Ofelky Peralta re-assigned to Richmond
OF Najee Gaskins released
C Rodolfo Bone released
LHP Daniel Tillo’s rehab assignment transferred from ACL Giants Orange
OF Hunter Bishop sent on rehab assignment to ACL Giants Black
RHP Ty Weber re-assigned to ACL Giants Orange (and back again)
SS Marco Luciano activated from 7-day IL
RHP Keaton Winn re-assigned to Richmond
RHP Landen Roupp re-assigned to Richmond
RHP Tyler Myrick re-assigned from San Jose
San Jose Giants: 23-25, 3rd Place (6.0 GB)
+20 Run Differential
Though San Jose trails Modesto by six games in the second half, they lead Modesto by four games in overall season record, which could come into play if Fresno sneaks past the Nuts for 1st place in the second half, after winning the first half. Fresno is currently one game back of Modesto.
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
CAL LEAGUE LEADERS
Vaun Brown: HR (T-8th)
Grant McCray: SLG (3rd), OPS (4th), HR (T-2nd), Hits (1st), 3b (2nd), Runs (1st), SO (1st), SB (5th), ISO (3rd), LD% (7th)
Aeverson Arteaga: Hits (7th), 2b (3rd), SO (T-3rd), LD% (9th), FB% (5th)
Yorlis Rodriguez: HR (T-8th), K% (10th), FB% (1st)
Garrett Frechette: GB% (10th)
Nick Sinacola: ERA (8th), FIP (9th), IP (8th), SO (7th), K% (8th), K-BB% (8th), FB% (6th), SwS% (3rd)
Eric Silva: K% (4th), K-BB% (5th), Opp Avg (8th), WHIP (7th), FB% (7th)
Trevor McDonald: ERA (1st), FIP (1st) K% (7th), K-BB% (9th), Opp Avg (2nd), WHIP (5th), BABIP (10th), GB% (3rd), SwS% (5th)
Seth Lonsway: ERA (5th), FIP (8th), BB (8th), K% (5th), Opp Avg (3rd), LD% (6th), GB% (1st)
Matt Mikulski: K% (9th), BB% (9th), K-BB% (6th), FB% (8th), SwS% (9th)
Manuel Mercedes: BB (3rd)
Tyler Myrick: Saves (T-9th)
Hunter Dula: Saves (T-6th)
Jose Cruz: Saves (T-9th)
TRANSACTIONS
OF Carter Williams re-assigned to Eugene
LHP John Gavin re-assigned to Eugene
RHP Yoniel Ramirez re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange
RHP Willian Suarez re-assigned from ACL Giants Black
RHP Melvin Adon re-assigned to Richmond
C Ronaldo Flores activated from 7-day IL
LHP JJ Santa Cruz released
RHP Tanner Andrews re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange
INF Damon Dues re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange
RHP Tyler Myrick re-assigned to Eugene
RHP Spencer Bivens activated from 7-day IL
INF Hayden Cantrelle activated from 7-day IL
Man, that’s a lot of bodies in motion!
Arizona Complex League
Giants Black: 36-16, 1st Place, +111 Run Differential
The difference in performance between these clubs is still mystifying to me, but one of them heads to the post-season and one doesn’t!
SORTABLE TABLES: GIANTS BLACK HITTERS PITCHERS
Giants Orange: 16-37, 7th Place (20.5 GB), -53 Run Differential
SORTABLE TABLES: GIANTS ORANGE HITTERS PITCHERS
ACL LEAGUE LEADERS
Anthony Rodriguez: HR (T-9th), RBI (T-8th), BB (T-8th), SO (6th), LD% (9th)
P.J. Hilson: SLG (5th), OPS (7th), HR (T-5th), Hits (7th), 2b (T-5th), 3b (T-1st), Runs (1st), SB (T-4th), ISO (5th), wRC+ (T-9th), FB% (4th)
Onil Perez: 3b (T-8th), K% (10th), BB/K (10th)
Elian Rayo: HR (T-9th), RBI (10th), BB (T-2nd), SO (5th), BB% (9th), FB% (7th)
Jean Peña: BB (T-2nd), BB% (3rd)
Derwin Laya: GB% (1st)
Irvin Murr III: SO (T-8th), LD% (10th)
Diego Velasquez: K% (8th), BB/K (5th), GB% (7th), SwS% (3rd)
Mikell Manzano: ERA (10th), FIP (4th), IP (4th), BB (10th), SO (2nd), K% (3rd), BB% (6th), K-BB% (2nd), LD% (3rd), GB% (4th), SwS% (4th)
Nomar Medina: ERA (3rd), FIP (3rd), IP (1st), BB (T-5th), K% (10th), BB% (3rd), K-BB% (9th), Opp Avg (9th), WHIP (6th), BABIP (9th), FB% (3rd), SwS% (7th)
Miguel Mora: ERA (6th), FIP (1st), IP (3rd), BB (T-2nd), SO (1st), K% (4th), K-BB% (4th), Opp Avg (4th), WHIP (7th), BABIP (8th), LD% (8th), GB% (5th), SwS% (5th)
Willian Suarez: SO (10th)
Rolfi Jimenez: IP (8th), BB (T-5th), GB% (10th), FB% (6th)
Wilkelma Castillo: Saves (T-4th)
TRANSACTIONS
OF Carter Howell assigned to ACL Giants Orange
INF Andrew Kachel assigned to ACL Giants Orange
OF Matt Higgins assigned to ACL Giants Orange
INF Justin Bench assigned to ACL Giants Orange
OF Wade Meckler assigned to ACL Giants Black
OF Tanner O’Tremba assigned to ACL Giants Black
C Thomas Gavello assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP Yoniel Ramirez re-assigned to San Jose
RHP Willian Suarez re-assigned to San Jose
INF Will Wilson sent to ACL Giants Orange from Sacramento on rehab assignment
LHP Jack Choate assigned to ACL Giants Orange
RHP Sam Bower assigned to ACL Giants Orange
RHP Hayden Birdsong assigned to ACL Giants Orange
LHP Hayden Wynja assigned to ACL Giants Orange
RHP Tyler Vogel assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP Liam Simon assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP William Kempner assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP Spencer Miles assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP Davis Hare assigned to ACL Giants Black
RHP Ronnie Williams re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange to Sacramento
RHP Tanner Andrews re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange to San Jose
LHP Daniel Tillo re-assigned from ACL Giants Orange to Eugene
OF Hunter Bishop sent to ACL Giants Black from Eugene on rehab assignment
LHP Carson Whisenhunt assigned to ACL Giants Orange
TWP Reggie Crawford assigned to ACL Giants Black
INF Donovan Walton sent from Sacramento on rehab assignment (later transferred to 60-day IL)
RHP Ty Weber re-assigned from Eugene to ACL Giants Orange and back again
RHP Ryan Murphy sent from Richmond on rehab assignment to ACL Giants Black
RHP Ken Giles assigned to Giants Orange
Dominican Summer League
Giants Black: 20-38, 9th Place (19.5 GB), -78 Run Differential
With the season ending today, a rugged season for both Giants’ clubs comes to a conclusion.
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
Giants Orange: 25-32, 8th Place (14.0 GB), -48 Run Differential
SORTABLE TABLES: HITTERS PITCHERS
DSL LEAGUE LEADERS
Estanlin Cassiani: Avg (1st), Hits (1st), K% (10th), BB% (1st)
Jose Ramos: SB (T-9th)
Mauricio Estrella: FIP (8th), IP (1st), SO (T-8th), BB% (8th), K-BB% (10th), WHIP (8th), LD% (2nd), FB% (7th)
Luis Bermudez:
Jorge Martinez: IP (7th), SO (4th), K% (3rd), K-BB% (7th), Opp Avg (8th), GB% (10th), SwS% (3rd)
Luis Yepez: Saves (T-10th)
TRANSACTIONS
INF Jose Astudillo re-assigned from Giants Orange to Giants Black
RHP Carlos Gazo activated from 60-day IL onto Giants Black
OF Diego Villegas activated from 60-day IL onto Giants Black
RHP Melvin Pineda re-assigned from Giants Black to Giants Orange
RHP Brayan Cabello re-assigned from Giants Black to Giants Orange
RHP Alix Hernandez assigned to Giants Orange
SS Sammy Rodriguez re-assigned from Giants Black to Giants Orange
Yesterday’s Rookie League Action
ACL Giants Black won @ ACL Padres, 6-5
ACL Giants Orange beat ACL Cubs, 7-3 (7 inn)
Can a player really have things click in his fourth year in rookie ball — legitimately have a breakout that signifies the ability to sustain the success at higher levels in the future? It seems hard to credit, and I certainly can’t think of an example from history where a young player has labored this long in a complex before finding success. But I’ll admit that in the case of P.J. Hilson, I’m just another Fox Mulder, wanting to believe.
Hilson had the biggest game of his career on Monday, homering twice to give him nine for the season — jumping into second place on the leaderboard (scratch that “tied for 5th place” above). That was part of a three-hit, five-RBI night that powered Black to a 6-5 victory that clinched the #1 seed for them in the upcoming playoffs. The huge night pushed Hilson to the brink of a .300 average and pushed his OPS over .950. Hilson started the season slowly, but since July 1, he’s been on fire, slashing .347/.413/.653 (and stealing eight bases). Even during that torrid stretch, the strikeouts have been too high (29%), which is a big red flag for future success. When I saw him, he was pretty indiscriminate in his swing decisions, but he’s certainly gotten his swing mechanics to a place where he can really impact baseballs when he makes contact. The ACL playoffs begin Thursday on Hilson’s 22nd birthday. Hopefully, it’s not too late for the talented 2018 6th round pick out of Jonesboro, Arkansas. I think I’m going to have to find a spot for him in the Top 50 this winter as a sign of faith.
On the pitching side, Nomar Medina finished up an excellent second season in the ACL. With one hit over 5 shutout innings, he lowered his ERA for the year to 2.22. His six strikeouts give him 70 for the season in 65.0 IP. When I saw the 19-year-old in the spring, he was throwing in the high 80s with his fastball, but had a very slow velo, high spin curve that was tying hitters in knots.
Over on the Orange side, former Astros and Phillies closer Ken Giles signed yesterday to a minor league deal, made his organizational debut, allowing two runs in an inning of work. Giles was followed by Carson Whisenhunt, who struck out five of the seven batters he faced. Whisenhunt was followed by young Mikell Manzano, who matched him with five strikeouts in two innings — pushing Manzano over his campmate Miguel Mora for the ACL strikeout lead (81) with one game remaining.
Will Wilson seems like he’s probably ready to return to Sacramento. After nine rehab games, he’s 14 for 28 with five extra-base hits. As he should, Wilson is basically treating these camp games like batting practice, spraying line drives all over the field.
A member of Wilson’s draft class who has had less success with rehab is the Giants’ 2019 2nd round pick Logan Wyatt, who is finishing up essentially a lost season — and sadly not the first! Wyatt has played in just 97 games over the past three years, and just 70 of those have been outside of the ACL. Since being drafted in 2019, he’s played just 141 games total. It’s not clear to me what has been ailing Wyatt this year. I saw him in spring playing camp games, but he wasn’t assigned to a full season squad and didn’t appear in a game until being sent on rehab to the ACL on July 9. At the end of July he was assigned outright to the ACL, and then disappeared for another three weeks before getting into a game this weekend. But he has just 50 PA total in 2022, hitting .244 without an extra base hit.
Since July 1, 18-year-old Diego Velasquez has hit .340/.431/.454 with nearly as many walks (14) as strikeouts (18). Too quiet to be called a breakout, and the slender middle infielder still needs to add plenty of strength to his frame, but he’s made exactly the kind of development gains I’d hoped to see from him this year. He should be ready for San Jose in 2023.
DSL Giants Black beat DSL Colorado, 9-2 (7 inn)
DSL Giants Orange won @ DSL Tigers2, 4-2 (7 inn)
Giants Orange second game was suspended by lightning
Guillermo Williamson has hit just .231 for the season in his pro debut and struck out 30% of the time (which is a lot for the DSL), but he’s made an impact when he’s made contact with the ball. Of his 42 hits on the season, 20 have gone for extra bases. The left-handed slugger belted his 13th double of the season and his 7th home run, driving in four of Giants Black’s runs in a breakout victory.
Estanlin Cassiani is running out of steam down the stretch, though his .375 average still leads the league with just one game to play. Team Orange had a big day for the big signings of this year’s class. Juan Perez and Dennys Riera each had two hits with some extra base punch. Perez whacked two doubles — his first doubles of the season, and in fact, his only extra-base hits of the season that weren’t home runs. Riera, in turn, hit his first triple of the season.
Today’s Scheduled Starters:
Sacramento (Williams) vs Reno (Martin), 6:30 pm, MiLBTV
Richmond (Harrison) @ Akron (Ponticelli), 3:35 pm, MiLBTV
Eugene (TBD) @ Tri-City (TBD), 7:05 pm, No Video
San Jose (Silva) @ Modesto (TBD), 7:05 pm, MiLBTV
ACL Giants Black (TBD) @ ACL Giants Orange (TBD), 6:00 pm, No Video
DSL Giants Black (TBD) vs DSL Twins (TBD), 8:00 am, No Video
DSL Giants Black (TBD) vs DSL Twins (TBD), completion of 6/21 suspended game
DSL Giants Orange (TBD) @ DSL Cardinals (TBD), 8:00 am, No video
Today marks the end of both the ACL and DSL regular season play, so last chance for most of the complex kids to make their impressions for 2022. It’s gone fast, hasn’t it? San Jose starts a crucial series in Modesto, needing to win at least four games if they’re to have a chance at the Cal League playoffs.
Most importantly, it’s a Happy Kyle Harrison Day! In fact, we get a two start week from young Mr. Harrison! So that’s fun. He should have five more regular season starts left, plus one more in the Eastern League playoffs if he remains in Richmond for the season.
Look for a podcast episode later today with the great Jim Callis from MLB.com chatting about the Giants’ draft and the most recent MLB.com ranking of the Giants’ system. I also should have a mystery player profile coming your way sometime this afternoon.
Enjoy another week of ball everybody — there aren’t many left!
I didn't realize just how good a season that Jose Ramos was having for Giants Orange in the DSL. I'm hoping you'll have a post-season review of the DSL, with your guesses on who is mostly likely headed to Arizona next season. Thanks for these recaps/reviews, Roger!
Genovese, Auerbach, Rincones, Armani Smith...that's a lot of High A success that didn't make the leap to AA with near the amount of success. Only Tyler Fitzgerald breaking out. Must be a huge jump. Frankie Tostado totally forgot about him.