MLB Standings
The start of the Stewart era in San Francisco couldn’t have got off to a much better start with a 21-9 record giving them the best record in baseball through the month of April.
Stewart is not naïve enough to think this is a reflection of where this roster stands but does believe the moves made over the winter have left the team better than the 71-91 predictions.
San Francisco Schedule
A month of impressive results but perhaps nothing as positive as the 8-2 record against NL West opponents, critical wins if the Giants are going to compete with the Rockies and Diamondbacks.
San Francisco Stats
As expected it is the pitching staff doing the heavy lifting for the Giants with the positional players no better than average through the first month of the season.
There are success stories amongst the average hitting corps though, with Nate Krueger and Danny Zellefrow everyday players with a wRC+ above 145. Jaun Minelli has been even worse than feared and that is a contract the Giants are excited to lose at the end of the season.
Cason Willard is leading the pitching charge, a 5-0 record from 6 GS with a 73 FIP- the same Cason Willard Stewart remembers from Kansas City. Andy Frederick has an 85 FIP- to be chasing Willard while only Jesus Barbosa has a FIP- above league average among the starters. In the bullpen, an early arm to watch is Jody Huber, his 136 FIP- coming from a HR/9 over 1.5 and a BB/9 rate over 6. He will get another month but the RP waiver wire could be the Giants friend.
Transactions & Injuries
The Giants pitching depth is tested early as they lose two RP (Rob Clauss and Josh Parker) for 5-6 and 1 week respectively, as well as SP Edgar Castillo for 7 weeks. Last man out Prince Speech is recalled for Clauss while offseason minor league free agent signing Eric Mason is called up and activates his $2.5m contract for the season.
On position players Chris Curp sprains his ankle running the bases and will miss 6 weeks, giving Kevin Dobbs a chance as he is recalled from AAA and will be the everyday 1B.
Wednesday, April 3rd , 2052
RP Rob Clauss was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained forearm. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Recalled RP Prince Speech from Triple A Sacramento.
Monday, April 15th , 2052
SP Edgar Castillo was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: rotator cuff strain. He's expected to miss about 7 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SP Eric Mason from Triple A Sacramento.
Tuesday, April 16th , 2052
1B Chris Curp was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Thursday, April 18th , 2052
1B Chris Curp diagnosed with a sprained ankle, will miss 6 weeks.
Recalled 1B Kevin Dobbs from Triple A Sacramento.
Sunday, April 21st , 2052
RP Josh Parker was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Signed international amateur SP Sergio Herrera out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract.
Wednesday, April 24th , 2052
RP Josh Parker diagnosed with a dead arm, will miss one week.
Signed international amateur 3B Ernesto Delgadillo out of Venezuela to a minor league contract.
Minor League News
Eugene Emeralds fans believe they've got a talented young star in Chris Herman.
He did nothing to dissuade that notion in April, as he hit .349 with 6 home runs, 18 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
The end result was the second baseman being named the Northwest League Batter of the Month.
The Pitcher of the Month has been chosen and the Northwest League trophy went to Eugene hurler, Jorge Rodrguez.
During the month, Rodrguez was impressive with a 2.82 ERA and 3 wins and 1 loss. In 22.1 innings he struck out 33 and gave up 19 hits and 5 walks.
For a rookie just breaking in, Luis Castro certainly put together a successful month. It was good enough to win the EL Batter of the Month award for April.
The 23-year-old left fielder for the Richmond Flying Squirrels hit .282 with 5 home runs, 13 RBIs and 24 runs scored.