SF Giants prospects rundown 5/22: Caleb Kilian almost perfect

SF Giants Prospects Rundown 5/22: Low-A

San Jose Giants 5 at Fresno Grizzlies 4
Performance of the Game: Clay Helvey (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K, W)

It was a great comeback win for the San Jose squad, as they fought from a three-run deficit that went to extra innings. With the infamous “runner on second base” extra-inning rule in effect, baserunner Jimmy Glowenke was called safe in a bang-bang call when he tagged up to third base after shortstop Abdiel Layer hit a flyball to left-center field. Glowenke then scored pretty easily after a wild pitch thrown by Grizzlies reliever Fineas Del Bonta-Smith.

Third baseman Luis Toribio led the comeback in the seventh inning with a double to center field, first baseman Garrett Frechette drove him in with a base knock, Glowenke doubled, and Luis Matos singled in the pair. Both Frechette and catcher Ricardo Genoves had two hits. Layer also hit a lead-off home run to begin the game. Layer now has an organization leading five home runs on the season, an incredible feat when considering how much less playing time he’s gotten than most other prospects.

Giants starter Carson Ragsdale struck out a career-high nine hitters in five innings of three-run ball. It was a pretty good outing overall that only got blemished with a three-run third inning by the Grizzlies offense. His fastball and curveball were working well, but the command fans should expect from a Low-A pitcher does leave him at risk.

With the game tied, Clay Helvey was faced with the gargantuan task of keeping the game tied and giving the Giants offense the opportunity to take the lead. It was one of the most nail-biting pitching appearances that I have ever watched this season as he induced inning-ending double plays in both 7th and 9th inning. Even though it was far from perfect, his clutch three-inning outing last night earned him my POG vote.

We’ll be back looking at the SF Giants farm system throughout the minor-league season with daily rundowns on the entire organization’s minor-league affiliates.