SF Giants prospects: Get to know the Richmond Flying Squirrels roster
The SF Giants season is underway, and their lone minor league affiliate on the East Coast is on the verge of starting its regular season. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Giants Double-A affiliate will begin their season at The Diamond in Virginia on Friday night. The Giants released the full roster, giving fans a chance to get to know the players they can see at the organization's lone minor-league affiliate near the Eastern Seaboard.
Triple-A roster breakdown
High-A roster breakdown
Single-A roster breakdown
SF Giants catcher Patrick Bailey runs the bases at the alternate site. (2020)
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Richmond Flying Squirrels catchers: Patrick Bailey, Brandon Martorano, Andy Thomas
2020 first-round pick Patrick Bailey (Giants #21 prospect) shall see plenty of run as Richmond's starting catcher in his first taste of Double-A. The Giants brass has high hopes for Bailey, but we are in wait-and-see mode toward properly assessing Bailey's long-term value. Folks in and around minor-league camp were impressed with Bailey, and they will hope it can develop into a breakout season for the former NC State star.
Backing up Bailey is Brandon Martorano who saw plenty of time as the starting catcher last year for the Flying Squirrels and could see precious time against lefties as Bailey's right-handed swing has lagged far behind early in his pro career. Andy Thomas will also be a backup catcher, but his lefty bat (and fringey defense) shall be more valuable whenever Bailey takes a day off. Thomas will likely see more playing time as a pure designated hitter.
SF Giants prospect Tyler Fitzgerald attempts to tag D.J. Burt. (2021)
Andy Nelson via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Richmond Flying Squirrels infield: Carter Aldrete, Brett Auerbach, Hayden Cantrelle, Tyler Fitzgerald, Riley Mahan, Simon Whiteman
As it stands, the Flying Squirrels can fill up their infield with the players that they have on the roster. Returnee Tyler Fitzgerald (Giants #20 prospect) will be the starting shortstop for now and it will be interesting if Fitzgerald will retain his spot defensively once Marco Luciano (Giants #2 prospect) returns. Hayden Cantrelle shall find himself as the starting second baseman with Carter Aldrete (Giants #36 prospect) and Riley Mahan occupying the corner infield.
This group will be very interesting once injured players have been assigned to the squad. Will Brett Auerbach (Just missed the list) displace Cantrelle at second base? Will Simon Whiteman ever see regular playing time in the infield? Will Luciano spend time at third base because Fitzgerald's defense at the position is far superior? It will not be answered once the season starts, but it will come into focus in the near future.
SF Giants prospect Luis Matos running the bases during the Arizona Fall League. (2022)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Richmond Flying Squirrels outfield: Luis Matos, Ismael Munguia
You might notice that there are only two outfield prospects on the Opening Day roster. That is because two of the outfielders that would have been included on the roster are currently injured and are rehabbing in Arizona: Vaun Brown (Giants #6 prospect) and Jairo Pomares (Giants #24 prospect).
With Luis Matos (Giants #4 prospect) manning center field and Ismael Munguia (Just missed the list) to either left or right field, the Giants will lean on the versatility of players like Auerbach. It could also be speedster Simon Whiteman who the organization has experimented with in center field to try and take advantage of his elite speed. How manager Dennis Pelfrey plugs up the remaining outfield spot will be a fascinating topic to follow in the early going.
Richmond Flying Squirrels pitchers: Mason Black, Raymond Burgos, Matt Frisbee, Evan Gates, Wil Jensen, Erik Miller, Ryan Murphy, Blake Rivera, Randy Rodriguez, Juan Sanchez, Carson Seymour, Michael Stryfeller, Nick Swiney, Kai-Wei Teng, Chris Wright, Nick Zwack
This is a fun group to talk about. Leading off are the newcomers from last year's Eugene squad and boy, they are notable names. Top prospects Mason Black (Giants #8 prospect) and Carson Seymour (Giants #13 prospect) lead the way after strong stints in the Emeralds' rotation and they shall fit right in the Richmond rotation snugly. Nick Zwack (Giants #30 prospect) shall follow suit and there shall be times when Nick Swiney (Giants #40 prospect) gets opportunities to start as well. This pitching staff is filled to the brim with starting pitchers, so fans should expect a piggyback rotation for most nights. Out of the bullpen, Juan Sanchez gives the Richmond bullpen a much-needed lefty arm.
Much of the Richmond staff returns for another year. Last year's starters Matt Frisbee, Wil Jensen, and Kai-Wei Teng will likely see less time in the rotation and spend more in the bullpen role as a piggyback but they will still see plenty of innings this season. It still is weird to see last year's Eastern League strikeout king pitch in the pen but the quality of talent that is arriving in Richmond is the reason why. On the other hand, expect Ryan Murphy (Giants #23 prospect) to pitch in the rotation. Now fully healthy, Murphy is hoping to enjoy a bounce-back campaign this year after battling back issues.
The Richmond bullpen will be an interesting topic because there is not a true closer in right. It could very well be Randy Rodriguez (Giants #25 prospect) who needs a strong 2023 season to keep his 40-man spot at the end of the season. It could also be Blake Rivera or Chris Wright in the right situations. It could also be one of the newcomers that did not come from Eugene. Outside acquisitions Raymond Burgos or Erik Miller (Giants #31 prospect) can certainly be in the mix as they both have the stuff from the left side to dominate in the late innings. It could also be Michael Stryfeller who had control issues ever since getting traded to the Giants but also has big-league stuff.
Richmond Flying Squirrels injured list: Vaun Brown, Marco Luciano, Jairo Pomares
The true power of the Flying Squirrels lineup greatly hinges on the return of top-tier bats Vaun Brown, Marco Luciano, and Jairo Pomares. Brown brings that power-speed combo atop the lineup while Luciano and Pomares can bring the thump in the middle. Both Brown and Luciano's injuries have been documented and both are on their way. It is not the same story with Pomares's injury, however, with little information on his status. We will know the impact of their absence in the early parts of the season where the pitching staff will do the heavy lifting in order to win games.
