There's a continuing theme of Giants prospects in the Arizona Fall League that mirrors the big league club in many ways. The bats remain far behind the arms through three weeks.
For a quick comparison, the three Giants prospects on the Scottsdale Scorpions who are position players, have a combined batting average of .139, while the four pitchers the team sent have a combined ERA of 1.22 in 37 innings.
Here's the good news: somehow a .139 batting average in 30 points higher than it was one week ago and a 1.22 ERA is down from 1.79. The positive to a porous offensive showing was a clutch at-bat by infielder C.J. Hinojosa.
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Coming off the bench in the midst of an 0-for-17 slump, Hinojosa couldn't have picked a better time for a base knock back on Oct. 25. Hinojosa pinch-hit for Shed Long in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Scorpions down 5-1 against the Salt River Rafters and delivered a bases-clearing double to ignite a five-run inning.
"It was a big moment for me," Hinojosa said after the game to MLB.com. "It made me happy to finally get my feet wet after not getting a hit in a couple games, because that sinks into the back of your head."
The Scorpions held on to their lead and went on to win 6-5.
"I've just kept having fun, coming out and working, and it finally paid off," Hinojosa said.
San Francisco Giants
Adon, Williams nearly unhittable
The Giants aren't flushed with top-level talent throughout their farm system. But in the AFL, two of their pitchers have been two of the top performers out in the desert.
After a down year, lefty Garrett Williams has been better and better with each start. And two days ago, he had perhaps his best start of the fall. Williams pitched five scoreless innings, his longest outing of the AFL, and only allowed two hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
"This season was a grind for me," Williams said to MLB.com after his outing. "Kind of struggled it out the whole season, so it was nice to have a clean slate. Honored to represent the Giants here. Thankful that they chose me, so that gave me some confidence knowing they still believe in me."
Coming out of the bullpen, Melvin Adon continues to look like a star. This past week, the 24-year-old tossed 3 1/3 hitless innings while striking out six batters to two walks. Through seven appearances out of the bullpen, he has a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings and 19 strikeouts to two walks.