Reggie Crawford's Unexpected Comeback Highlights Giants' Minor League Weekend

GOODYEAR, AZ - October 14: Reggie Crawford #23 of the Scottsdale Scorpions takes his turn at bat during a match against the Peoria Javelinas at Goodyear Stadium on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This past weekend was eventful for the San Francisco Giants' Minor League system, showcasing several key developments from June 12 to June 15. The standout story was the return of Reggie Crawford, who has been assigned to the Arizona Complex League (ACL) for a rehabilitation stint, now playing as a first baseman.

In Double-A Richmond, right-handed pitcher Brad Deppermann was activated from the 7-Day Injury List. Meanwhile, Low-A San Jose outfielder Jose Astudillo earned the title of Cal League Player of the Week for his impressive performances.

At the Triple-A level, the Sacramento River Cats faced a challenging weekend, losing both games against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys with scores of 4-3 and 5-1. Their offensive struggles continued, leading to a rainout on Monday. With the trade deadline approaching, it’s anticipated that some pitchers from Triple-A may be called up to reinforce San Francisco's roster. Notably, LHP Carson Whisenhunt and RHP Blade Tidwell took the mound this weekend but had mixed results, both struggling with control issues despite showing flashes of potential.

Whisenhunt, who pitched Friday, managed to limit damage to two runs despite walking four batters, while Tidwell fared slightly better with one run allowed and seven strikeouts over five innings on Saturday. Both pitchers need to improve their command to be reliable options for the Giants. Good news came from the bullpen as RHP Jason Foley resumed his rehab assignment, delivering a flawless inning with two strikeouts, while RHP Spencer Bivens faced challenges, struggling in his outing.

Despite a lackluster offensive showing, center fielder Jared Oliva continued his rehab with a modest performance, while third baseman Thomas Gavello and second baseman Nate Furman had some success at the plate. Yet, catcher/left fielder Jesús Rodríguez has struggled to regain his form since his MLB debut, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the Giants' Minor League affiliates.