Weekend Minor League roundup, 4/5-6

The weekend’s action on the farm.

A full weekend of Minor League Baseball! All four of the San Francisco Giants A-Ball affiliates are off and running, which means we have eight games to recap from the weekend! I’ll try to get through it quickly so you’re not stuck reading 4,000 words.

Link to the 2025 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)

All listed positions in the roundup are the positions played in that particular game.

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News

AAA Sacramento RHP Carson Seymour (No. 21 CPL), who was thoroughly dominant in the first week of the season (and drew the Opening Day assignment) was rewarded for that dominance by being named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week. Well deserved!

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AAA Sacramento (4-5)

Saturday: Sacramento River Cats beat the Las Vegas Aviators (A’s) 2-0 [box score]
Sunday: Sacramento River Cats lost to the Las Vegas Aviators 11-4 [box score]

The story entering the season for Sacramento is the outrageous starting pitching depth. The River Cats have so many quality starting pitchers that they’re not only piggybacking starters, they’re piggybacking starters who are on the 40-man roster. And on top of all that, they’re using 40-man long relievers and spot starters in relief roles.

While the talent is undeniable, the results have been, at times, mixed. This weekend was a perfect encapsulation of that.

On Saturday, LHP Carson Whisenhunt (No. 2 CPL) took the mound. Whisenhunt has a long ways to go to see time in San Francisco, not because of a lack of talent, but because he’s one of the few exciting arms in Sacramento who isn’t on the 40-man roster yet. But starts like Saturday’s are a reminder that it’s a matter of when, not if Whisenhunt will be in the show. The 24-year old, who populates the back of many top-100 lists, was sensational on Saturday, tossing 6 shutout innings against a Vegas squad that torched Sacramento for 39 runs in the other 5 games of the series. His strikeout stuff wasn’t there — he only had 2 Ks — but that’s never the concern with Whisenhunt. He kept hitters off-balance and uncomfortable all night, giving up just 4 hits — all singles — while avoiding any free runners. Just an excellent start to the season for the southpaw, who was very strong in his season debut as well.

But on Sunday, things were more grim. RHP Juan Mercedes, a very intriguing offseason signing, got the start and gave up lots of hard contact, ceding 6 hits — including a home run and 2 doubles — while getting tagged for 3 runs in as many innings. He did avoid walks and registered 3 strikeouts, so it wasn’t all bad, but it wasn’t very clean, either.

There were piggybacking starters on Sunday, and the second half unfortunately went worse. RHP Carson Ragsdale (No. 19 CPL) had a very tough go of it, giving up 8 hits — including a home run — as well as 1 walk in just 3.1 innings of work, which put 6 runs and 4 earned runs on his ledger. Ragsdale lived in the strike zone, tossing 40 of 60 pitches for strikes, but wasn’t fooling anyone. The contact was loud, and he only had 1 strikeout. Ragsdale was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, and had a strong spring, but it’s been a slow start to the year for him.

The 40-man long relievers had good outings though, and bounce back ones at that, after each got roughed up a little their last time out. On Saturday it was RHP Tristan Beck, who needed just 27 pitches to throw 2 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 baserunner (a single) and striking out 3. On Sunday it was RHP Sean Hjelle, who pitched a scoreless frame with a hit and a strikeout, and tossed 11 of 14 pitches for strikes.

It was a very quiet offensive weekend. Shortstop/second baseman Brett Wisely continued to make some noise, providing all of the offense on Saturday with a 2-run home run, his 2nd blast in as many nights.

Wisely finished the weekend 2-8 with a walk and 3 strikeouts, and now has a .900 OPS and a 137 wRC+. If he can keep this up will he get to take Christian Koss or Casey Schmitt’s spot on the roster? Hopefully we find out!

Also a great weekend for catcher Logan Porter. He only played Sunday, but made the most of his opportunity by reaching base in all 4 of his plate appearances, drawing 2 walks, hitting a single, and bashing a solo home run.

More struggles for the top hitting prospects in Sacramento, as center fielder Grant McCray hit 2-8 with a walk, 3 strikeouts, a caught stealing, and an outfield assist, while left fielder Marco Luciano hit 1-9 with 4 strikeouts.

AA Richmond (0-3)

Saturday: Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) 8-3 [box score]
Sunday: Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Akron RubberDucks 5-4 [box score]

A fairly quiet weekend for the AA squad, which is off to a rather nondescript start to the year. There was a big hit from designated hitter/third baseman Sabin Cebbalos (No. 18 CPL), though, which was great to see after he turned many heads with a spectacular showing this spring.

Ceballos, who came to the Giants in the Jorge Soler trade and immediately started showing off, had a quiet weekend, going just 1-8 with 2 strikeouts … but the lone hit was a delightful 2-run home run.

It was a very nice weekend for second baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 16 CPL), who is back in Richmond after a midseason promotion last year (which he handled exceptionally well, I might add). Velasquez, a switch-hitter who is still just 21, showed off his amazing contact skills and plate control, going 3-6 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, 1 strikeout, and 1 error over the weekend.

One storyline going into this year was where Velasquez would play. He originally came up as a shortstop, but scouts have long pegged him for second base. Last year the Giants played him almost exactly 50/50 between the two positions, but it was unclear whether that was due to belief in his ability to play shortstop, or a lack of other options there. With shortstop and defensive whiz Aeverson Arteaga (No. 12 CPL) drawing an opening assignment with Richmond, it appears to have opened the door for Velasquez to just focus on second base. He could be in AAA later this year where, as they say, you’re only ever one call away.

Speaking of Arteaga, his first taste of AA ball (after missing nearly all of 2024) has been a bit rough. He recorded a single over the weekend for his only time reaching base, and so far this year is 1-12 with 6 strikeouts. That was the type of weekend that most of Richmond’s notable position players had.

On the pitching front, the star was Sunday’s starter, LHP Jack Choate (No. 29 CPL). There are some questions as to whether Choate’s crafty, lower-velocity arsenal (think Ty Blach!) can be successful at higher levels, which was on display last year: he had a 2.90 ERA in High-A, but that ballooned to 5.82 after a late promotion to Richmond.

So far, so good this year. He was dominant, striking out 9 batters while allowing just 2 hits (both singles), 1 walk, and no runs. The only stain on his resume was that the strikeouts drove his pitch count up, Blake Snell style: he only made it through 3.2 innings, and needed 70 pitches to get there. But I’m not here to pick nits about scoreless outings where nearly every out is achieved with strikes!

Saturday’s starter, RHP Manuel Mercedes, had troubles, unfortunately. He couldn’t make it out of the 2nd inning, giving up as many hits and earned runs as outs recorded (5), while also walking 4. Just an ugly start to the year, but thankfully it’s a long, long, loooong season.

The bullpen mostly struggled, save for a predictable name: RHP Trent Harris (No. 20 CPL). Fresh off a dominant 2024, Harris, an undrafted free agent, made his season debut on Sunday and struck out the side in his only inning of work, though he allowed both a hit and a walk. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him make a Major League debut later this year.

High-A Eugene (1-2)

Saturday: Eugene Emeralds lost to the Hillsboro Hops (D-Backs) 12-5 [box score]
Sunday: Eugene Emeralds lost to the Hillsboro Hops 5-4 [box score]

Not a successful weekend for the Emeralds, but a dramatic one, as they scored the go-ahead run on Sunday in the 9th inning, only to allow a pair of runs in the bottom half to be walked off.

Eugene’s outfield is one of the most exciting position groups for any Giants affiliate, and so far they’ve been showing flashes of it. It wasn’t the best weekend for center fielder Bo Davidson (No. 11 CPL) or designated hitter/left fielder Jonah Cox (No. 26 CPL), but both had their moments. Davidson, the breakout star of 2024, went 2-10 with a double and 3 strikeouts, while Cox, the heist from the A’s last season, went 2-8 with a triple, a strikeout, and a stolen base. Interestingly, Davidson has gotten the start in center field in all 3 games this year, even though Cox was absolutely dynamic as a defensive center fielder a year ago. That’s something worth keeping an eye on.

The 3rd and highest-profile member of that outfield trio, however, followed on his perfect opening day with an excellent weekend. Right fielder James Tibbs III (No. 3 CPL) had a lovely time in Hillsboro, hitting 2-8 with a home run, a double, a walk, and no strikeouts.

Reports out of camp were that Tibbs looked fantastic, and that we shouldn’t worry too much about his troublesome debut after being drafted in the 1st round in July. The early returns certainly support that. After a quick jaunt in San Jose, Tibbs joined the Emeralds in late August last year, and proceeded to hit 9-67 with 3 extra-base hits, 7 walks, and 25 strikeouts. Through 3 games this year, he’s already 4-10 with 2 extra-base hits, 4 walks, and 0 strikeouts.

Hell yeah.

Also nice weekends for left fielder/designated hitter Scott Bandura and third baseman Thomas Gavello. Bandura, a 7th-round pick in 2023, hit 3-6 with 2 walks and a strikeout, while Gavello, a 13th-round pick in 2022, hit 3-5 with a stolen base.

There really isn’t a lot to highlight on the pitching front. Both starters struggled, as LHPs Cesar Perdomo and Esmerlin Vinicio both allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings; Perdomo allowed 4 runs and struck out 2, while Vinicio gave up 2 runs with 1 strikeout.

A handful of poor relief outings as well, though 4 pitchers came in to throw scoreless frames: RHPs Ryan Vanderhei, Sadrac Franco, and Daniel Blair, and LHP Tommy Kane.

Low-A San Jose (0-3)

Saturday: San Jose Giants lost to the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) 3-2 [box score]
Sunday: San Jose Giants lost to the Modesto Nuts 6-4 [box score]

The Baby Giants have started off slowly, and while there were plenty of decent performances over the weekend, they were very much lacking in star showings.

Center fielder/designated hitter Dakota Jordan (No. 8 CPL) didn’t have a spectacular weekend, but he had a good one and there was an encouraging development: the right-handed slugger, playing in essentially his 1st season, hit 3-7 with a walk, a hit by pitch, and 3 strikeouts, but stole 2 bases.

Jordan’s ceiling is tantalizing. He has, at a bare minimum, 70-grade raw power and speed. Despite his speed, Jordan never has been much of a threat on the basepaths: in 107 collegiate games, the uber-athlete stole just 7 bags, while getting caught 4 times. There’s been a clear emphasis on stealing bases for the Giants this year, and it appears that’s trickled down to arguably their most exciting athlete.

It’s hard to find many exciting performances from the weekend for San Jose, though. Designated hitter/left fielder Lisbel Diaz (No. 17 CPL) hit 2-8 with a double and a strikeout, and right fielder Jose Ortiz (No. 22 CPL) hit 2-7 with a double, a hit by pitch, 2 strikeouts, and an outfield assist.

The pitching didn’t do all that much. On Sunday it was the return of RHP Gerelmi Maldonado (No. 36 CPL), who took the mound for the first time since the 2023 season, after missing last year due to Tommy John. I was a tad worried about Maldonado, as he was initially listed as the Opening Day starter but didn’t pitch. But it seems it was nothing, as he just waited until Sunday.

Maldonado was apparently very impressive in Minor League camp, but he’ll have to wait to have that impression take place in the Minors. He got rocked, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, 1 hit batter, and 4 earned runs in 2.1 innings, with just 1 strikeout. He’s still electric, with a fastball touching 100, and it’s just good seeing him back on the mound. He’s deserving of some patience.

A few arms made their professional debuts after being held out post-2024 draft. LHP Greg Farone, the team’s 7th-round pick, started on Saturday and was very nice, giving up just 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run in 3.2 innings, while striking out 6 batters. RHP Evan Gray, their 15th-round pick, debuted later in the game, pitching 2 shutout innings with 2 hits and 3 strikeouts. And on Sunday, LHP Travis Switalski, their 16th-round pick, really showed out: he piggy-backed with Maldonado, and tossed 4.2 no-hit innings, allowing just 2 walks while striking out 3. What a debut for all 3, but especially for the 21-year old southpaw out of West Virginia.

Things were less pleasant for RHP Ben Peterson, who went undrafted: he faced 4 batters, and hit one of them while allowing another to knock a walk-off 2-run home run. Still, a professional debut is worth celebrating. Welcome to the pros!

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Home run tracker

AAA Brett Wisely (2)
AAA Logan Porter (1)
AA Sabin Ceballos (1)
High-A James Tibbs III (1)

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Upcoming schedule

Sacramento: Off-day on Monday, Tuesday 6:05 p.m. PT @ Tacoma (Likely starter: Mason Black)
Richmond: Off-day on Monday, Tuesday 3:30 p.m. PT @ Harrisburg (SP: Seth Lonsway)
Eugene: Off-days Monday and Tuesday
San Jose: Off-day on Monday, Tuesday 6:00 p.m. PT vs. Visalia (SP: /shrug)

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Injury report

Every Monday, I’ll try to include the injury report for all the affiliates, so you can see who is currently sidelined.

AAA Sacramento

LHP Enny Romero — Restricted List
LHP Raymond Burgos — Development List
RHP Ryan Watson — Development List
LHP Reggie Crawford (No. 10 CPL) — 60-Day IL
RHP R.J. Dabovich — 60-Day IL
LHP Juan Sánchez (No. 33 CPL) — 60-Day IL
LHP Ethan Small — 7-Day IL
RHP Cole Waites (No. 32 CPL) — 7-Day IL
LHP Chris Wright — 7-Day IL

AA Richmond

2B Nate Furman — 60-Day IL
RHP Ryan Murphy — 60-Day IL
RHP Mat Olsen — 60-Day IL

High-A Eugene

OF Alexander Suarez — 60-Day IL

Low-A San Jose

RHP Sam Bower — 60-Day IL
C Ty Hanchey — 60-Day IL
RHP Spencer Miles — 60-Day IL