SF Giants minor league notes: Adrián Sugastey's promotion, Junior Barajas' power surge

A pair of catchers led the way for SF Giants minor league notes this week. Adrián Sugastey earned a promotion to Triple-A, and Junior Barajas cannot stop hitting grand slams.

SF Giants minor league notes: Adrián Sugastey's promotion, Junior Barajas' power surge

1. Adrián Sugastey's promotion to Triple-A

Sugastey joined a depleted Sacramento River Cats roster after spending the past couple of seasons in Double-A. To take his place on the Richmond Flying Squirrels' roster, multi-positional catcher Jancel Villarroel was promoted to Double-A.

The Giants signed Sugastey out of Panama during the 2019-2020 international signing cycle. He earned a $525,000 signing bonus. Since then, Sugastey has been one of the more reliable defensive backstops in the organization.

In six minor league seasons, the right-handed bat has put up a .264/.319/.370 line with a 6.5 percent walk rate, 14.2 percent strikeout rate, and .106 ISO. This includes a .620 OPS in three seasons with Richmond. Sugastey has a very batting average dependent offensive profile, as does not take many walks or hit with much power.

That said, Sugastey is one of the better defensive catchers in the organization. He is a competent framer and blocker, but manages the running game effectively. Sugastey has a strong arm and a quick pop time. This has led to healthy caught-stealing rates in the minors. In 2025, he threw out 35 percent of attempted base stealers.

Sacramento has leaned on a couple of multi-positional catchers in Thomas Gavello and Zach Morgan over the past couple of weeks. However, the promotion of Sugastey gives them a more experienced backstop.

2. Junior Barajas' grand slam surge

Junior Barajas had about as memorable of a weekend as a player can have, and there is still one game left to play! He has tallied three home runs with 10 RBI in nine plate appearances over the past two games against the Ontario Tower Buzzers.

This includes hitting a grand slam in back-to-back games. Oddly enough, that is one of the few things the Giants have done well at this season. They lead baseball with eight grand slams in 2026.

Barajas had a multi-homer effort in an 8-3 victory on Saturday night. That was not the only reason to tune into the game. It also marked the California League debut for Josuar Gonzalez and Luis Hernández. Gonzalez departed the game early with an apparent injury, but recorded a single and a steal. Hernández did not register a hit but worked two walks. He is now the youngest player to take an at-bat in the California League this season.

On the other hand, Barajas is in the middle of a quality first season as a pro. He has put up a .751 OPS with nine home runs and 45 RBI in 288 plate appearances for the San Jose Giants.

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