SF Giants minor league notes: Charlie Szykowny's near cycle, another Triple-A promotion

With a 31 - 12 overall record, the Richmond Flying Squirrels lead the Eastern League by a wide margin. The SF Giants Double-A affiliate had a couple of notes from last week, including Charlie Szykowny's near cycle and Scott Bandura earning a promotion to Triple-A.

SF Giants minor league notes: Charlie Szykowny's near cycle, another Triple-A promotion

1. Charlie Szykowny's memorable night

Charlie Szykowny began the six-game series against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies with a memorable night. Yes, that is their real name. Minor league baseball team names are the best.

Szykowny collected three legs of the cycle in a three-hit, three-RBI night. He notched a double, triple, and home run. Those came in his first three at-bats. He had a chance to get a single in his final at-bat of the night, but grounded out to first base.

It was a fantastic night in what has been another strong year for Szykowny. He is slashing .281/.351/.451 (114 wRC+) with four home runs, 20 RBI, and 29 runs in 172 plate appearances. This includes a 7.0 percent walk rate, 16.9 percent strikeout rate, and .170 ISO.

He was third among Giants minor leaguers with 21 home runs last year. The Eastern League has limited some of that home run power, but he is still recording a lot of extra-base hits. Szykowny has one of the better blends of contact and power in the organization.

2. Scott Bandura moves up to Sacramento

In the middle of last week, Scott Bandura earned a much-deserved promotion to the Sacramento River Cats. He joined Turner Hill, Aeverson Arteaga, and Drew Cavanaugh in the group that has made a move to Triple-A so far this season. There might be others on the way soon enough.

To make room on Sacramento's roster, veterean pitcher Nick Margevicius was released. Bandura had been among the many productive hitters with Richmond. He was hitting .324/.430/.479 (146 wRC+) with three home runs, 32 RBI, and 33 runs in 174 plate appearances at Double-A prior to the promotion. This includes 10 steals in 12 chances.

Bandura sprays line drives all over the field and makes contact at an above-average rate. He has posted a healthy 12.7 percent walk rate in the minors and has shown a strong understanding of the strike zone.

The 24-year-old outfielder has good speed, and can use that both on the bases and in the field. He is an efficient, volume base-stealer. On defense, he has spent more time in the corners this year, but is a capable defender at all three positions.

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