By Joe Ritzo
The San Francisco Giants have made their final roster cuts this week in anticipation of the start of the regular season. 25 players remain in big league camp and unless there’s a surprise trade, an injury or something else unforeseen, it’ll be those 25 who will open the year in San Francisco.
14 former San Jose Giants are expected to be on San Francisco’s opening day roster:
Ehire Adrianza, INF
Brandon Belt, 1B
Trevor Brown, C
Madison Bumgarner, LHP
Matt Cain, RHP
Brandon Crawford, SS
Matt Duffy, 3B
Chris Heston, RHP
Josh Osich, LHP
Joe Panik, 2B
Buster Posey, C
Sergio Romo, RHP
Hunter Strickland, RHP
Kelby Tomlinson, INF
2013 California League All-Star Hunter Strickland is one of 14 former San Jose Giants expected to be on San Francisco’s opening day roster
Heston made 31 starts in San Francisco last year, but wasn’t on the opening day roster (he was called up days later). Assuming Matt Cain is ready to go next week, Heston will open the season as the long reliever in San Francisco’s bullpen. It’s no surprise that Osich and Strickland made the opening day roster as both hurlers emerged as key relievers during the second half of last year and will continue to play important roles in the San Francisco bullpen. Meanwhile, Tomlinson showed his versatility this spring as he saw substantial playing time at second base, third and shortstop with good results. The former San Jose infielder is expected to fill a utility role to start the campaign.
Additionally, Ehire Adrianza had a strong camp and earned a spot on San Francisco’s opening day roster. Adrianza owns a .333 batting average in 57 spring at-bats and has shown he could even fill-in at first base and outfield, in addition to his usual infield spots.
In all likelihood, there will be six former San Jose Giants in San Francisco’s opening day lineup: C Posey, 1B Belt, 2B Panik, 3B Duffy, SS Crawford, P Bumgarner.
Outfielders Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson were among the final roster cuts this week. Williamson especially made a strong impression this spring as he connected for five home runs in 57 at-bats to go with a .298 batting average and 14 RBI’s. Parker slugged three home runs in 69 spring at-bats, but hit just .234 with 23 strikeouts. Both players will get an opportunity to play everyday in the Sacramento outfield and should be among the first considered for a call-up later in the year.
The San Francisco Giants open the regular season on Monday in Milwaukee.
BIAGINI POISED TO DEBUT IN TORONTO
The 14 homegrown players listed above that are expected to land on San Francisco’s opening day roster all have previous experience in the major leagues. It looks as if the first former San Jose Giant to debut in the big leagues this season will be Joe Biagini of the Toronto Blue Jays. Biagini, a South Bay native from Santa Clara, spent the entire 2014 season in the San Jose starting rotation before earning All-Star honors with Double-A Richmond last year. Biagini though was left unprotected by the organization after the season (not placed on the 40-man roster) and was gobbled up by the Blue Jays in last December’s Rule 5 draft. The right-hander has now put together a strong spring and has won a spot in the Toronto bullpen. The Toronto Star details Biagini’s inclusion on the opening day roster here.
Andrew Suarez had an excellent start for the Giants “High-A” team in minor league camp on Tuesday
Down in minor league camp, top prospect Andrew Suarez had an outstanding start for the Giants “High-A” team on Tuesday against the Dbacks “High-A” club at the Salt River Fields complex. Suarez cruised through five innings on the mound yielding just one run with six strikeouts. The only run against Suarez came in the fifth inning on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt play. Suarez, a former second round draft pick, fashioned a 1.57 ERA in eight starts between Salem-Keizer and San Jose last season. He’s currently rated the #10 prospect in the San Francisco organization by MLB.com and is expected to open the year in the San Jose starting rotation.
Third baseman Jose Vizcaino, Jr. and first baseman Jonah Areando delivered RBI hits in Tuesday’s “High-A” game as well.
The minor league spring exhibition schedule concludes on Friday afternoon before camp breaks on Sunday. An official announcement of the 2016 San Jose Giants roster is expected in the coming days.
FORMER SAN JOSE GIANTS RELEASED
While players down in minor league camp are currently positioning themselves to make a team and hit the ground running in 2016, others were not as fortunate. With minor league rosters becoming finalized, the organization has reportedly released several players in camp.
According to MLB.com transaction pages, former San Jose Giants Brian Ragira, Jack Snodgrass and Nick Vander Tuig were among the players released by the organization this spring. Ragira, a former fourth round draft pick out of Stanford, spent two full seasons with San Jose in 2014 and 2015. The first baseman combined for 30 home runs, 47 doubles, 140 RBI’s and a .256 batting average over 230 games during his two years in the California League. Ragira also delivered one of the most memorable home runs in team history last September when he hit a game-tying two-run blast in the eighth inning of the decisive third game of the Mini Series at Stockton. The Giants eventually went onto win the contest in 15 innings to advance to the next round – the first of four elimination game victories for last year’s club during the postseason.
Snodgrass was a California League All-Star in 2012 when he posted a 10-8 record with a 4.62 ERA over 26 starts for the Giants. He spent the bulk of the last three seasons pitching for Double-A Richmond. Vander Tuig made six starts for San Jose late in 2014 before beginning last season with the Giants. He emerged early last year as a capable starting pitcher and posted a 3-0 record with a 2.73 ERA in eight games (five starts) before going down with an elbow injury in mid-May. The injury, unfortunately, required Tommy John surgery, which was the second time Vander Tuig underwent the procedure in his baseball career. He was likely going to miss a portion of the 2016 season as well.
These players are no longer with the Giants, but could potentially continue their baseball careers with another organization or attempt to play in an independent league.
