Los Gigantes are at 16 games under 0.500 for the first time this year (38-54), and so are rather more like the Wee Folk of my Irish ancestors. They are hosting the 38-54 Rockies, after going 1-2 against the Mighty Pebbles at the end of May, and 1-2 again just last week. So once again, last place in the entire league is at stake, with only one other team failing to reach 40 wins, namely the 39-54 Mets.
Here are the series details:
• Thursday, 6:45, RHP Ryan Feltner (3-2, 4.27) vs. Carson Whisenhunt (1-0, 3.60)
• Friday, 7:15, RHP Tanner Gordon (0-2, 6.95) vs. Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.45)
• Saturday, 1:05, LHP Kyle Freeland (2-7, 7.46) vs. Tyler Mahle (1-8, 5.70)
• Sunday, 1:05, RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.46) vs. Trevor McDonald (3-7, 5.46)
The Rockies pitching is formally announced, whereas the Giants are posted entirely as TBD. Beat reporters have seen Carson Whisenhunt around the team hotel, so he is widely expected to be active for this evening’s game. The rest of the list is also reasonable guesswork. Logan Webb is on the starting pitching staff for the ASG game, and this timing means he will be available for that.
Here are Warren Schaeffer’s starters and bullpen,
⛰ 1B TJ Rumfield (47), 2B Edouard Julien (20), SS Ezequiel Tovar (32), 3B Kyle Karros (31)
⛰ RF Mickey Moniak (38), CF Cole Carrigg (21), LF Jake McCarthy (51)
⛰ C Hunter Goodman (51, 27 HR), DH Troy Johnston (39)
⛰ closer Jordan Romano, 8th inning types Antonio Senzatela and Jimmy Herget
Since the release of John Brebbia, there are no former Giants on the Rockies’ active roster.
Heliot Ramos has been hitting very well since his return from the IL on 6/28, going 13 for 40 (0.325) with a double, two triples, 3 homers, and 8 RBI. He attributes this to a more upright stance he discovered on the day he pulled his quad. Very much worthy of photographic honors, especially when you consider that Ramos is now the team’s veteran player – it seems to me that Yastrzemski’s shoes pass to Ramos.
But the Picture of the Post goes to Vector Bericoto. Bericoto was assigned to AAA after a great performance in MLB spring training camp. He was given a roster spot for the first time on May 22nd, and then mostly languished on the bench, as Tony Vitello is prone to do. Regular playing time came after June 24th. In his 10 games played since then, Victor is 14 for 37 (0.378), with 3 doubles and 3 homers, for 8 RBI. He has made some great defensive plays, too. Since the Giants are entirely capable of sending this young man down whenever Harrison Bader is ready, we choose to make sure he gets his first regular season PotP. It says here that this, and his spring training PotP, are just the first of many photos in the future.
Bericoto was a 2018 international signing, when he was a catcher! He already has two walk off homers in the big leagues. His rise through the minors took 7 seasons (not including 2020 when he was idled by the pandemic) and nearly 2,200 at bats. He played 209 games at 1B in the minors, compared to 288 in the outfield (never caught a game as a professional). A sad note, Victor’s sister in law perished in the Venezuela earthquakes.
Note that Peacock will be broadcasting the All Star Futures Game at 9:00 AM Sunday, promising kids from the National League against the AL. SS/2B Gavin Kilen and OF Dakota Jordan, both from the Eugene Emeralds, will represent the Giants organization in that game. They are rated the #4 and #5 prospects in the organization. Note that 85% of players chosen to participate in past Future Games have reached MLB. Kilen was assigned to Eugene for the first time this year, is hitting 0.305 with 32 walks and 64 RBI. Jordan also reached Eugene this year, is hitting 0.284, and has 82 RBI. Look for both of them to be Flying Squirrels pretty soon!
