SF Giants Single-A affiliate falls short in California League playoffs

The SF Giants Single-A affiliate in San Jose was eliminated on Thursday night by the Modesto Nuts despite some prospects turning in solid performances.

The San Jose Giants (SF Giants Single-A affiliate) lost in the first round of the California League playoffs to the Modesto Nuts. They were officially swept (2-0) in the North Division series after a 13-4 loss in Game 2 at Excite Ballpark.

“I thought Game 1 was a really good game, kind of back and forth,” San Jose manager Jeremiah Knackstedt told Giants Baseball Insider after the game. “Game 2 started off well, and then they found some barrels, and we couldn’t quite find the barrels that they were finding.”

Game 2 of the North Division series is underway at Excite Ballpark. the Modesto Nuts have a 1-0 series lead over the San Jose Giants. pic.twitter.com/2Fwvaj0WrB

— jen ramos eisen 🇵🇭🍉 (@jenmacramos) September 15, 2023

San Jose took an early lead in both games, getting out ahead with two runs in the top of the fourth in Game 1 and scoring three runs in the first inning of Game 2.

Outfielder Turner Hill went 2-for-3 with a walk in Game 1, while starting pitcher Manuel Mercedes, one of the best groundball pitchers in the minors this season, went 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and five walks with just one strikeout.

With a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning of Game 1, San Jose allowed Modesto to tie the game. While San Jose regained the lead in the eighth, Modesto came back and eventually walked it off in extra innings.

Game 2 was a different story — San Jose jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings, but Modesto had tied it by the 4th. San Jose was unable to score another run and finished the game 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

2023 late-round Giants draft picks Justin Wishkoski and Charlie Szykowny were the two most notable contributors in the lineup in Game 2, both going 2-for-4 at the plate. Starting pitcher Dylan Cumming lasted three innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

San Francisco’s 2023 first-round draft pick Bryce Eldridge, the organization's best prospect left on the roster, went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a walk in Game 1 while going 1-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored in Game 2.

“Overall, I think it was a good season,” Knackstedt said. “Obviously, the second half was not quite what we want it to be and we didn’t finish out like we wanted to, but I think it was a great experience for all the guys that came through.”

San Jose finished the first half with a 40-26 record that earned them a playoff spot. However, after many of the SF Giants best prospects in the lower minors were promoted to High-A Eugene, San Jose finished the second half with a 28-38 record and an overall season record of 68-84.