Fresno Fridays

Is it just me, or has this past week felt like a merry-go-round between Fresno and San Francisco? My head is still spinning with all the roster changes, especially the pitching modifications and Pablo Sandoval‘s recent surgery. (It’s called bubble wrap, Giants. Use it.) Here’s the latest from the baby Giants:

Fresno Grizzlies

"@shaneloux Congrats to my ex teammate Jared Weaver on his no hitter tonight. Wish I could be there to celebrate with him. It’s gunna be a good night."

Current record: 21-7

Best in the West: The Grizzlies not only lead the Pacific Southern division of the PCL, but the entire Pacific Coast League itself. Yesterday, Fresno closed out an 8-game homestand with a 6-2 record, snapping a winning streak of 5 games with a 3-5 loss to the Salt Lake Bees.

Sent to SF: Are you ready for this? I don’t think you’re ready for this. On April 27, RHP Eric Hacker was called up from the Grizzlies, allowed a single start, then optioned back to Fresno on April 28. On April 28, the Giants recalled Hacker’s replacement, RHP Steve Edlefsen. On Tuesday, LHP Travis Blackley was brought up from Fresno to replace Jeremy Affeldt. And finally, Conor Gillaspie was recalled yesterday, in what I can only hope is a temporary role while Pablo’s hand heals.

Richmond Flying Squirrels

"@JMoE220 New shoes! New gloves! New song! Changing the swag!! Let’s do it up tonight!! @gosquirrels"

Current record: 13-14

Swag, bro, swag: Unfortunately, Johnny Monell‘s new shoes, gloves, song, and swag did little to help his team on Wednesday night. Although the Squirrels led 3-1 for 5 innings, the Bowie Baysox came back to bite in the 9th, scoring 4 runs off RHP Daryl Maday and taking the game 5-3.

Silver linings: As a team, Richmond falls near the end of the list in both batting and pitching stats. However, starter Chris Heston is making a name for himself with 3 wins and 4 quality starts. He leads Eastern League righties with a 1.21 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 29.2 IP. At the plate, third baseman Daniel Mayora holds a slash line of .308/.365/.363 in 91 AB.

San Jose Giants

"@SethDanielRosin Baseball has to be the most humbling sport."

Current record: 17-11

Battered and bruised: The SJ Giants suffered a string of injuries this week, beginning with Ryan Lollis‘s upper leg injury after trying to beat out a grounder. Someone stepped on Joe Panik‘s hand, Andrew Susac injured his hamstring running to second base, Josh Osich has an elbow strain, Drew Bowlin hurt his bicep, Alex Burg‘s wrist was hit by a line drive, and Bobby Haney is rehabbing in Arizona with a quad injury. Clearly I was mistaken when I first started to write this post: right now, San Jose needs far more bubble wrap than San Francisco.

Sudden standout: Jack Snodgrass is still tearing up the California League, boasting a 1.23 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 5 starts, striking out 21 batters and allowing 21 hits in 29.1 IP. He made his last start on Tuesday, with 5 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts in 7 scoreless frames. According to San Jose broadcaster Joe Ritzo, Snodgrass has pitched 22 shutout innings in a row.

For more information on the Giants’ minor league affiliates, check out MiLB.com and FanSided’s own Seedlings to Stars.