SAN FRANCISCO —It wasn’t too way back that supervisor Bob Melvin, having been swept by the Padres at residence in mid-August, talked about the thought of giving his regulars some days off and getting appears at youthful gamers. With the Giants within the midst of a six-game successful streak, these plans are doubtless on maintain.
On Sept. 1, the Giants’ brass should resolve which two gamers they choose from Triple-A Sacramento to hitch the big-league roster as rosters develop from 26 to twenty-eight. With San Francisco nonetheless mathematically alive, president of baseball operations Buster Posey and firm could discover themselves leaning in direction of gamers extra geared up to win now.
Right here’s a have a look at essentially the most compelling candidates to be referred to as up when the rosters develop:
(All stats are coming into Friday)
Marco Luciano
The Giants have had loads of alternatives to name up Marco Luciano during the last couple months, particularly after having the 23-year-old transition from infield to outfield within the offseason. With lower than 30 video games remaining, Luciano continues to be ready for his first alternative to play within the majors this season.
Luciano hasn’t precisely dominated with Sacramento, however he’s hit nicely sufficient at occasions to warrant a glance with San Francisco.
General, Luciano has an .801 OPS with 22 homers and has been 9 % higher than league common, by weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Since July, particularly, Luciano is hitting .250/.409/.569 with 10 homers and, by wRC+, has been 49 % higher than league common.
Luciano would’ve doubtless had a extra compelling case to be referred to as up if Luis Matos was struggling, however Matos is 13-for-30 (.433) with three homers and 7 RBIs since being recalled from Sacramento.
Jesus Rodriguez
The Giants acquired 4 prospects from the New York Yankees in alternate for Camilo Doval, essentially the most intriguing of the bunch being catcher Jesus Rodriguez.
Rodriguez didn’t have many alternatives to catch throughout his time within the Yankees’ system as a result of franchise’s plethora of catching prospects, however he hit nicely sufficient that he performed across the diamond so the Yankees might get his bat within the lineup. A lifetime .306 hitter within the minors, Rodriguez has additionally frolicked at first base, second base, third base and left subject.
Rodriguez is hitting .317/.417/.415 with one homer and eight RBIs over his final 10 video games, but it surely wouldn’t be shocking if the Giants maintain Rodriguez in Triple-A so he can proceed getting reps at catcher.
Hayden Birdsong
For months, Hayden Birdsong appeared to have made important strides along with his management. He didn’t stroll a single batter throughout spring coaching, then continued to reduce walks for roughly the primary three months of the season. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Birdsong misplaced his command and ended up again in Triple-A.
Birdsong’s points with command have continued with Sacramento. He appeared to make strides by solely strolling 4 batters over 12 1/3 innings throughout his first three begins with the River Cats. In contrast, throughout his final three begins Birdsong has walked 12 batters over 12 innings.
JT Brubaker
The Giants signed JT Brubaker to a minor-league deal in mid-August after he was launched by the Yankees, and it’s not an outlandish proposition that Brubaker makes a begin or two for San Francisco in September.
Brubaker, 31, has pitched in 4 major-league seasons, lacking all of ’23 as a consequence of Tommy John surgical procedure and spending all of ’24 within the Yankees’ minor-league system. He’s made a pair of begins for Sacramento after getting used solely as a reliever for the Yankees, permitting two runs over 9 innings in these two outings.
Blade Tidwell
Tidwell was a part of the return from the New York Mets in alternate for Tyler Rogers, the others being right-handed José Buttó and outfielder Drew Gilbert. If not for an damage, Tidwell doubtless would’ve already made his Giants debut.
The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 1.69 ERA in his first three begins with Sacramento, putting out 23 batters over 16 innings, however skilled shoulder discomfort throughout a bullpen session following his begin on Aug. 15.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey stated on KNBR that Tidwell is “moving in the right direction” and dealing on a throwing development.
“He’s obviously a guy we’re excited about, but we want to make sure that he’s, from a health standpoint, in a good place and doesn’t rush back,” Posey stated. “It’s a big arm and somebody that we’re excited to continue to watch as he progresses. All signs seem positive there.”
Tidwell contains a deep arsenal of pitching, the core 4 being his four-seam fastball, sinker, sweeper and slider. Together with these choices, Tidwell has additionally flashed a changeup and cutter.
Bryce Eldridge
There’s been no scarcity of followers clamoring for high prospect Bryce Eldridge to make his major-league debut. These voices proceed to develop louder each time Eldridge homers.
The one voice that issues, although, is Posey’s and he has repeatedly thrown chilly water on the potential of Eldridge making his debut this season.
“I’d say most likely not,” Posey stated on KNBR’s The Murph and Marcus Present. “I really feel like I’ve stated it 100 occasions, however Bryce continues to be 20. He’s nonetheless getting his reps as a primary baseman. He’s getting his reps as a hitter. Like all people else, (you) watch the quantity of energy that Bryce has. It’s arduous to not get enthusiastic about.
“Talking to Bryce a little bit back in spring training and then listening to how our minor-league staff talks about him, we know that he wants to be a complete player and he’s working on that.”
