Giants Call-Up Eight Prospects

Mar 11, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Heath Hembree (72) pitches during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants called up eight players from the Fresno Grizzlies today to fill out the roster for September.

Called-up for the final month are outfielders Juan Perez and Francisco Peguero, relievers Jake Dunning and George Kontos, and infielders Ehire Adrianza and Nick Noonan — all currently on the 40-man roster.

Also called up and added to the 40-man are Fresno closer Heath Hembree and catcher Johnny Monell.

It has not been announced who will be removed from the 40-man to make room for the left handed power bat of Monell or Hembree.  But, as Hank Schulman guessed — and I tend to agree — the logical choice is outfielder Kensuke Tanaka, and possibly Dan Runzler.

Adrianza, Monell, and Hembree will all be making their Major League debuts.

Heath Hembree had a solid season for Fresno in 2013.  Despite a hiccup in May and June, the Fresno closer and Giants #6 prospect had a 2.53 ERA in July and a 2.45 ERA in August to finish out the season strong.  Hembree set the Fresno Grizzlies single season saves record in 2013, finishing with 31 overall.  San Francisco had to add Hembree to the 40-man roster after this season even if they didn’t call him up to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Catcher Johnny Monell has been in the San Francisco Giants organization since 2007.  The former 30th round draft pick hit .277 with 20 HRs, 73 RBI, 27 doubles, and had a .364 on base percentage for Fresno in 2013.  Monell should provide some pop for the Giants down the stretch from the left side.

Some Giants that weren’t called up that might surprise some are the aforementioned Kensuke Tanaka, outfielder and former #1 prospect Gary Brown, and catcher Guillermo Quiroz.

Brown had a subpar year — to say the least — hitting just .231 with a .286 OBP for Fresno.  He struck out 135 times and walked just 33 times.  Quiroz is a bit older and a career journeyman, so seeing what Monell can do is a logical call.  Tanaka is in the same boat as Quiroz, somewhat; although most of his career was spent in Japan, he is older.

The September call-ups will join the Giants on Tuesday.