The Giants may have found some patches for their pitching holes in a split-squad twin bill following an off day and a rainout.
Game 1: Daulton Jefferies pitched 4 scoreless innings and 4 relievers completed the shutout. Key Lines:
Mike Yastrzemski RF- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .200. YtY got off to a slow start to the spring with sore shoulder. Still plenty of time to get his timing down for Opening Day.
Jimmy Glowenke PR/3B- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= 1.000. Is Jimmy G a sleeper in the system? He's had 2 PA's this spring with a double and HR. He OPS'd .798 at 2 levels last year including a stint in AA Richmond. Round 2C signability pick in the shortened 2020 draft which is looking like one of the great Giants drafts of all time.
Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 3, HR(1), HBP. BA= .308. Easy oppo-field power. Hope we see more of that through the season.
Thairo Estrada 2B- 2 for 4. BA= .281. Thairo looking like he's ready to start the season tomorrow.
Nick Ahmed SS- 2 for 3, 3B. BA= .529. Well, we all know he's not going to hit .529 on the season. Will he hit over .200?
Daulton Jefferies RHP- 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 1.64. Don't forget Jefferies was once a fairly highly regarded prospect before injuries derailed his career. If he can stay healthy, I think he can be more than a decent backend SP.
Landon Roupp RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 3/0. ERA= 3.60. The Legend of the Curveball keeps growing. We talk about the Giants needing a lefty reliever. They also need at least 1 an probably 2 more relievers. Roupp looking like a legit option for one of those roster spots as a multi-inning dude.
The Rogers Bros and Amir Garrett pitched a scoreless frame apiece.
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Game 2: Spencer Howard pitched 4 perfect innings and David Villar had a huge day at the plate in a high-scoring win. Key Lines:
Austin Slater CF- 1 for 2, BB, SB(1). BA= .111. Slater also got a late start due to elbow soreness. He also has time to get his timing down by Opening Day.
Tyler Fitzgerald 2B- 2 for 4, SB(3). BA= .233. Consensus seems to be that Fitz is winning the utility MI role.
David Villar DH- 4 for 5, HR(3). BA= .353. What does the future hold for David Villar?
Casey Schmitt 3B- 1 for 4, BB. BA= .143. Schmitt has not had much success at the plate this spring but is clearly drawing more walks.
Joey Bart C- 1 for 3, HBP. BA= .417. What does the future hold for Joey Bart?
Ismael Munguia LF- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .522. Strong batting skills but limited power. Similar profile to Jung Hoo Lee and Wade Meckler.
Chase Pinder RF- 2 for 4, HR(1). BA= .438. Brother of Chad, Pinder was brought in to provide OF depth. Responded with a strong spring. Is there room on the roster? Minor league record shows strong on-base skills with limited power.
Spencer Howard RHP- 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, GO/AO= 3/5. ERA= 1.86. Very similar bio as Daulton Jefferies. Once highly regarded pitching prospect got derailed by injuries. Could these two solve the Giants backend rotation holes, at least temporarily?
Juan Sanchez LHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 4/0. ERA= 2.35. Sanchez hurt himself with a throwing error. He has emerged as a serious option for second LH reliever.
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Keaton Winn RHP finally makes his spring training debut tomorrow facing the Rockies and Cal Quantrill RHP in Scottsdale.