MLB Standings
The Giants are comfortably the best team in baseball, 4.5 G ahead of the next best team, division rivals the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are the only two teams with 50 W at the end of June. The National League is already quite spread with the Giants 4.5 G lead almost matched by the Mets in the East, and exceeded by the Reds, who are running away with the Central as the only team with a winning record.
In the AL, it is all a lot closer, with none of the preseason predicted winners leading their divisions – the Bue Jays trailing the Orioles in the East, the Royals the Guardians in the Central, and the Astros the Angels in the West.
San Francisco Results
For the second time this season, the Giants only lose 7 G in the month, four of which come in two series, at home to the Brewers and on the road at the Dodgers.
San Francisco Stats
This team is beginning to resemble early teams in Stewart’s reign in Kansas City, with no true stars but lots of good players contributing to team success. This is clearly a pitching team, with top 6 rankings in every major stat except walks. The position players are better gloves than bats as the second best defense is not matched by an offense that is very much middle of the pack, only excelling in WAR (glove driven) and HRs.
David Rojo continues to look like a great acquisition as he has over 4 WAR already after a 178 wRC+ month. The rest of the position players were a little cooler this month although it was reassuring to see Ernesto Pantoja bounce back with a 132 wRC+ performance to lift his contribution to 1 WAR.
The Starting Rotation impressed in June, with Nate Hudson’s 94 FIP- the worst of the five. Jorge Ramirez continues to impress and earned his second Rookie of the Month Award, as he had 31.1 IP, with 29 K and a 1.44 ERA in 5 GS.
David Silva had a tough month in the bullpen but the rest of the team were excellent, with Rickey Martino, Mike Grudzinski, and Greg Brinson pitching a combined 30.2 IP and giving up 0 Earned Runs.
Transactions & Injuries
The Giants lost Josh Parker to another injury which puts his future with the team at risk as Stewart can’t rely on him being available. They also lost Mike Stark to a strained hamstring which allowed 2052 12th Round pick Greg Brinson to make his debut and, in a controlled specialist role he has been excellent.
The Josh Webb experiment will go down as an unmitigated failure as he suffers a setback in his recovery and will have to have further surgery, ruling him out for 8 months. The Giants will pay him $2.7m at the end of the season to void the TO, a total $27.2m deal to have him miss the whole season.
Wednesday, June 2nd , 2055
RP Josh Parker was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: back tightness. He's expected to miss about 3 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Jesus Barbosa from Triple A Sacramento.
Sunday, June 6th , 2055
RP Mike Stark was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained hamstring. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Greg Brinson from Triple A Sacramento.
Monday, June 7th , 2055
Signed international amateur SS Jesus Jaramillo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract.
Wednesday, June 16th , 2055
Josh Parker has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 2 weeks.
Signed international amateur SP Ernesto Lara out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract.
Sunday, June 27th , 2055
Josh Webb has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 8 months.
Tuesday, June 29th , 2055
Sent RP Josh Parker to Triple A Sacramento for injury rehab.
Minor League News
The Pitcher of the Month has been chosen and the Eastern League trophy went to Richmond hurler, Juan Espinosa.
During the month, Espinosa was impressive with a 2.70 ERA and 4 wins and 1 loss. In 30 innings he struck out 20 and gave up 18 hits and 11 walks.
This year in 10 starts, Espinosa has recorded 5 wins and absorbed 2 losses. He has pitched 55.1 innings, allowed 34 hits, struck out 50 and has a 3.42 ERA.