SF Giants prospects rundown 5/20: Bullpens shine throughout system

SF Giants starting pitchers and hitters struggled throughout the farm system, but strong relief pitching kept minor-league affiliates in games.

Make sure to revisit our daily SF Giants prospect rundowns to keep up with each of their minor-league affiliates. If you do not feel well acclimated to the prospects throughout the farm system, you might want to revisit our prospect week articles that detailed the system from the top prospects to lower-level fringes. If you’re just interested in the biggest names, then the preseason SF Giants top 31 prospects list is the one-stop shop for you.

SF Giants Prospects Rundown 5/20: Triple-A

Reno Aces 3 at Sacramento River Cats 2
Performance of the Game: Jason Vosler (1-3, HR, R, RBI)

Tyler Beede seemed to put some things together towards the end of his last rehab appearance, but his command woes returned once again on Thursday. With Logan Webb on the injured list, Beede seemed primed to rejoin the Giants big-league rotation soon, but the front office probably wanted to see him be more economical with his 53 pitches (28 strikes). Beede allowed no runs to score over 2.2 innings of work but allowed two hits and four walks and was removed with two outs and the bases loaded in the third inning for Kervin Castro (26th-ranked prospect), who struck out former Giants minor-leaguer Matt Lipka to end the inning.

An early solo home run by Jason Vosler, his first of the season, gave the River Cats a slim lead, but the Reno Aces kept Sacramento’s offense quiet until the ninth inning. In the interim, five of the six River Cats relievers allowed no runs to score, but an unlucky fifth inning for Gregory Santos, who allowed three runs on three relatively soft hits and a hit batter, gave the Aces a lead that would not be overcome. Sacramento managed just three hits and three walks on the day.

The most interesting tidbit from the game had little to do with the outcome. Top Giants catching prospect Joey Bart (third-ranked prospect) was removed from the game in the fifth inning and did not appear injured. After big-league backup Curt Casali was hit on the elbow in Thursday’s 19-4 victory against the Reds, there’s reason to speculate that Bart is heading for a callup. Bart has struck out in more than 30% of his plate appearances in the short season but has been undeniably productive, hitting .351/.400/.676.