Good luck Posey jersey on

Man, I miss that guy.

Seriously, this dude is on fire! (Why are we supposed to not like him again?)

Kruk I believe is speaking for a lot of us here while discussing Willie Adames’ performance in 2026. Also cool that Mr. T is interviewing Krukow and hopefully we’ll get to get his takes here and there on YouTube. This is a less than 2 minute video on Adames.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported (subscription required) that the Giants have been scouting Japanese pitchers Hiromi Itoh and Karima Taira. Both are expected to become available to MLB teams this year.

Hiromi Itoh Brings Starting Rotation Experience

Itoh, 29, is an established starting pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

The right-hander finished the 2026 season with a 10-10 record, 3.18 ERA and 159 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings of work.

It should be numbers are a bit of a step back when compared to his 2025 stats. During that season, he went 14-8 with a 2.52 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 196 2/3 innings.

toh has the ability to handle a significant workload and that could make him a very attractive option for the Giants who, obviously, need rotation stability.

Itoh really isn’t known for an overpowering velocity; rather, he uses a diverse pitching mix to get to hitters.

He has displayed solid command in 2026 when he issued just 34 walks over 172 2/3 innings.

Experience, command and durability are all traits San Francisco could use.

Kaima Taira Could Address Multiple Needs

Taira, who is 26, is a different possibility.

The Saitama Seibu Lions right-hander has experience as both a starter and reliever. That kind of versatility is interesting to every MLB team.

His 2026 performance was head-turning.

He finished with a 12-5 record and a remarkable 1.36 ERA across 146 innings while striking out 141 hitters.

He spent much of 2025 working out of the bullpen, but returned to a starting role in 2026 and proved that he can be successful in whatever role the team needs him.

His profile is also different from Itoh's, given that his fastball can reach the upper 90s. The flexibility should be very interesting to the Giants.

Taira’s availability is not guaranteed, though. His Japanese club would have to make him available through the posting system before MLB teams could start negotiating a contract.

With his flexibility and velocity, he is going to be attractive to multiple teams if he reaches the market, and San Francisco will need to be aggressive if he is indeed a target.

Patrick Bailey just hit a solo home run in the 7th inning to tie the score at 2-2, Guardians vs. Rays. In 2026 post season play Bailey is hitting .389 with 7 hits in 18 AB, 2 HR and 3 RBI, .421 OBP and 1.143 OPS.

This is 2 more homers and 3 more RBI than the entire Giants team has hit in post season play in the last 4 years. Way to keep on keeping on Patrick Bailey.

For the second straight day, we’ve got only one game to recap in the Arizona Fall League, but this time it’s because rain wiped out two games and shortened the one that was played.  But hey, the one that got played was Scottsdale, so we have some Giants players to note!  Also, let’s talk about how teams are doing, and put a focus on a former Dodger prospect who is among the best prospects in all of baseball.

Non-Giant Prospect to Highlight of the Day: Zyhir Hope (MLB #26; DET #1)

Let’s discuss a former Dodger.  Zyhir Hope was drafted in the 11th round in 2023 out of high school by the Cubs, and was traded to the Dodgers the following offseason in the Michael Busch/Yency Almonte trade.  Hope was ranked as high as #6 in the Dodgers system, in a system deep with outfielders, before the Dodgers traded him to the Tigers as a key piece for Tarik Skubal.  Notably, this is Hope’s second Arizona Fall League call, as he slashed .228/.301/.446 in 2024 with the Dodgers group in Glendale.  Hope has a ton of power and speed, and his potential has him in the top third of the 100 best prospects in baseball.  He’s been moved off of center field but is an above average defender in either corner.  The big question will be whether or not he can make enough contact to let his offense show through, as he has high strikeouts (as one would expect for power hitters).  In 124 games across Double-A teams for both the Dodgers (Tulsa) and Tigers (Erie), he hit .287 with a .880 OPS, hitting 29 home runs and stealing 26 bases, but with 141 strikeouts to 62 walks.

Scottsdale: Scottsdale Scorpions 6, Glendale Desert Dogs 2 (7 Innings)

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Giants Prospects to Spotlight:

• CF Dakota Jordan (SF #7): 1-3, 2 K - A bit of a pedestrian day for Jordan, but 1-for-3 pushes his average up slightly, now up to .174, as he’s 4-for-23.  His 10 strikeouts are a 35.7% strikeout rate still. 
• 2B Kaeden Kent (SF #20): 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB - Kent had an 0-fer, but is still 6-for-16 (.375).  The walk was his first in five games, to go against just two strikeouts.
• SP Miguel Mendez (SF #16): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 WP - Mendez made his second start, and now has seven strikeouts to three walks in 4.2 innings, with a 3.86 ERA in the limited innings.
• RP Drake George: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K - Drake George made his second appearance, the first one in a relief spot, and hasn’t allowed any hits or walks, nor has he struck anyone out, in 2.0 innings.

Other Scottsdale Prospect Lines:

• DH Bryce Rainer (MLB #45; DET #2): 1-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 2B (2), 1-1 ABS
• C Nathan Flewelling (MLB #62; TB #3): 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (1), 1-2 ABS
• RF Zyhir Hope (MLB #26; DET #1): 1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR (1)
• LF Braylon Payne (MIL #6): 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 K
• 1B Eric Bitoni (MIL #26): 0-3, 1 K

Glendale Notable Prospect Lines:

• RF Eduardo Quintero (MLB #18; LAD #3): 0-4, 1 K
• 2B Charles Davalan (MLB #84; LAD #6): 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR (1)
• SS Wyatt Sanford (PIT #5): 1-2, 1 BB, 1 K
• CF Caleb Bonemer (MLB #27; CWS #2): 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
• DH Jhonny Severino (PIT #28): 1-3, 1 R, 1 K, 1 2B (1)
• 3B Chase Harlan (LAD #9): 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 K
• 1B Colby Shelton (CWS #23): 0-2, 1 BB
• LF Isaiah Drake (ATL #29): 0-2, 1 K
• PH-LF Owen Carey (ATL #21): 0-1
• SP Brooks Auger (LAD #29): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB< 3 K, 1 HR

Other Games

Peoria Javelinas @ Surprise Saguaros - Postponed (To Be Made Up on Oct. 14th)

Salt River Rapids @ Mesa Solar Sox - Postponed (No Makeup Date Listed)

Standings

Here’s the current standings in the Arizona Fall League:

#1 Scottsdale - 6-1 (.857)
#2 Salt River - 5-2 (.714)
#3 Surprise - 4-3 (.571)
#4 Peoria - 3-4 (.429)
#5 Mesa - 2-4 (.333)
#6 Glendale - 1-7 (.125)

It’s obviously very early in the Fall season, a little more than 1 week into a 6-week season, but it’s good to see the Giants-led Scottsdale team on top.

This is also a good spot to point out that having a lot of Top Prospects doesn’t mean you’re going to have a winning team in the AFL.  Take a look at the number of Top 30 prospects listed on each team’s roster

Scottsdale - 8 Hitters, 1 Pitcher - 2 Top 100
Glendale - 14 Hitters, 5 Pitchers - 4 Top 100
Mesa - 10 Hitters, 3 Pitchers - 1 Top 100
Peoria - 8 Hitters, 5 Pitchers - 1 Top 100
Salt River - 6 Hitters, 4 Pitchers - 1 Top 100
Surprise - 11 Hitters, 4 Pitchers - 3 Top 100

Scottsdale has the least with only 9 Top 30 guys, and only one such pitcher ranked (the Giants’ Mendez).  Salt River is right behind them with only 10.  Those two teams currently are the leaders in the AFL.  Meanwhile, easily the most heavily-laden prospect team is the (amusingly-Dodgers-led) Glendale team with 19, and 4 Top 100 guys, and they have the by far worst record in the league.

Again…it’s early.  Things can change.  Scottsdale and Salt River’s lead is not much in this league.  But this is definitely worth noting about the way it goes in this league.

Giants would lose their 2nd round pick and $500k of international bonus pool money for signing a free agent that receives a qualifying offer.

Example: Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Rogers, etc.

10/10

Hey Reddit, a friend of mine gifted me this hat after her grandpa died. We recognize the dusty baker signature, but who is the other signature? Help us out if you know this #7 signature!

I was never a Bailey guy. I think he thinks caring about offense day-to-day is beneath him because of his defensive value and I liked the trade to Cleveland. But when he actually decides it’s worthwhile to lock in at the plate, he’s nails. I can’t deny it

“Oh man, Chapman, Adames, Devers, Lee, you guys are all severely underperforming at the plate. Let’s trade our back to back gold glove winning, offensively clutch catcher away, because surely, he’s the problem!” I hope Tugboat and that first round draft pick pay off.

Down 0-2 against the White Sox after losing games 1 and 2, then came back and won the last 3 to move on to the ALCS. This time the Ohio team came out on top!

Anyways, go PATRICK BAILEY.

We got some abbreviated baseball today, as a scheduling quirk left us with just two games, and the weather made both of those games shorter than normal.  But we did get some baseball, as the Scottsdale Scorpions blew out the Salt River Rafters.  Only one Giant played tonight, probably since the Giants players basically won the game for Scottsdale on Friday.  For our non-Giant highlight today, we’ll talk about one of the Giants’ teammates on Scottsdale who has been arguably their best hitter, and a guy with a very Posey-esque type of player that our PBO seems to have prioritized getting in recent drafts.  Plus, a note on what to expect in the next couple of days, between scheduling quirks and weather.

Non-Giant Prospect to Highlight of the Day: Brendan Summerhill (TB #28)

Today, let’s look at one of the teammates of the Giants prospects, Tampa Bay’s Brendan Summerhill, who is currently the top performer offensively for Scottsdale, helped out a bit by today’s game.  Summerhill, 22, is 5-for-9 in four games (.556) with a double, and three walks to just one strikeout, plus four steals.  Drafted with the 42nd overall pick in 2025, in the first Competitive Balance round, the consensus is that he slipped a bit due to injuries his final year of college.  He has immediately made a name for himself with his contact ability and ability to adjust to pitchers mid-game between at-bats, but he had struggles in 2026 as he once again dealt with injuries, hitting just .251 on the year across three levels, though he finished strong with a late-season promotion to High-A.  Summerhill will face some challenges with how he may fit other than his hit tool.  While he is an above-average runner, his future may grade out to be a corner infielder, and his power hitting is generally not what you would expect from a corner outfielder.  So he’s going to have to battle that “Tweener” stereotype, but if he can keep making contact like he had the rep for in college and early on, he could find a way to break through.

Scottsdale: Scottsdale Scorpions 10, Salt River Rafters 2 (7 Innings)

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Giants Prospects to Spotlight:

• 3B Dalton Wentz: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 E (2) - Wentz is now 2-for-9 with a double in four Arizona games, with one walk and now three strikeouts.

Other Scottsdale Prospect Lines:

• CF Brendan Summerhill (TB #28): 2-2, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 2B (1), 2 SB (4), 1 HBP
• DH Nathan Flewelling (MLB #62; TB #3): 2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K
• RF Zyhir Hope (MLB #26; DET #1): 1-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
• 1B Eric Bitoni (MIL #26): 0-4, 2 K

Salt River Notable Prospect Lines:

• 2B Demetrio Crisantes (MLB #72, AZ #1): 0-3, 1 K, 1 E (1)
• RF Yasser Mercedes (MIN #17): 1-3, 1 R
• SP Jarlin Susana (MLB #65; WAS #3): SP 2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Other Games

Mesa Solar Sox 7, Peoria Javelinas 3 (7 Innings)

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Peoria Notable Prospect Lines:

• CF Tai Peete (STL #17): 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB (4)
• RF Ike Irish (MLB #97; BAL #5): 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K
• 3B Carter Graham (CIN #22): 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K
• DH Boston Smith (SEA #13): 0-1, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SF
• SS Carlos Sanchez (CIN #14): 1-3, 1 2B (1), 1 CS (1)
• C Ty Harvey (SD #4): 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (5)
• SP Kannon Kemp (SD #13): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 1 WP

Mesa Notable Prospect Lines:

• C Cole Conn (SAC #21): 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SF
• 3B Jake Munroe (LAA #20): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 2B (2)
• SS Mason White (BOS #26): 0-4
• CF Jake Casey (TOR #25): 1-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (1)
• PR-3B Juan Cabada (CHC #12): 0-0
• SP Dominick Reid (CHC #28): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Programming Note

You probably noticed today had just two games (since it was in the headline).  Usually, Sundays are off days for the Arizona Fall League, but this weekend they did have one game previously scheduled on the docket, which will be the Glendale Desert Dogs vs. the Surprise Saguaros.

Something else you may have noticed: today’s games were short, both going just seven innings.  That was due to a rainstorm coming into the Phoenix area tonight.  There is forecasts of rain the next few days, and certainly it could lead to shortening or cancelling tomorrow’s game.

So…here’s what to expect from me.  If the game gets played, I’ll do a post on it, even though it’s not going to have any Giants in it.  No Non-Giants prospect to highlight, it’ll just be a quick one.  But if the game is rained out, I won’t do a post at all just to say that there’s nothing to cover.

However, as a full docket of games picks back up for Monday, I will do a post for Monday even if none of the games are played, just because Scottsdale would be expected to be on it.  Right now, it looks like the rain will end around mid-day Tuesday, so hopefully games deeper in the week are not at risk.

Andrew Friedman (LA), Chris Antonetti (CLE), Erik Neander (TB) and Matt Arnold (MIL). Those are arguably the 4 best executives in baseball, that's why you can't fuck around with that position.

Rays, Brewers, Guardians are all efficiency machines and the Dodgers have a former small market executive (Friedman) paired with unlimited resources.

After a week or so of quiet Giants performances, we’ve got some big performances today out of the team’s top two hitting prospects.  Dakota Jordan and Kaeden Kent both picked up their first extra-base hits of the fall, and both of them came with a little extra flourish.  It was a day for offense in the Arizona Fall League…so for the Non-Giant of the day, of course I’m going to highlight a pitcher, one who shares a name with my second favorite ever NFL punter.

Non-Giant Prospect to Highlight of the Day: Tekoah Roby (STL #14)

Yeah, so four of the AFL’s six teams scored double-digit runs, with a fifth getting nine runs…so here’s a pitcher, Tekoah Roby from the Cardinals, who helped hold the final team to just four runs.  Roby had one of the best pitching performances in the AFL so far this fall, with three shutout innings, striking out six with just one walk allowed.  Most notably, this was Roby’s first game performance since mid-2025, when he had Tommy John surgery.  The 3rd rounder from 2020 (of the Texas Rangers) has had a checkered injury history with time missed in each of his pro seasons.  At 5’8, Roby generates excellent velocity with a mid-90’s fastball, with a strong mix of off-speed pitches.  Roby had his best pro season in 2025 before his surgery, with a 2.49 ERA in Double-A and 4.02 ERA in six Triple-A games.  But Roby is on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster, and the team is eager to see what kind of a future the pitcher has in the big leagues.

Scottsdale: Scottsdale Scorpions 11, Mesa Solar Sox 10

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Giants Prospects to Spotlight:

• LF Dakota Jordan (SF #7): 2-5, 1 R, 4 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR (1), 0-1 ABS - Jordan had easily his best game yet, with his first Fall home run coming on an inside-the-park home run, with a low line drive to center getting by the center fielder, and Jordan’s speed carrying him to beat the defense for all four bags.  Jordan is 3-for-20 (.150) now with the home run being his first extra-base hit.
• 2B Kaeden Kent (SF #20): 2-5, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 2B (1) - Kent had the clutch hit for Scottsdale, hitting a double in the 9th to knock in the winning run and walk it off for the Scorpions.  The double was his first extra-base hit, and is 6-for-14 (.429)
• RP Alexander Fuentes (SF #26): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP - In 2 games, Fuentes has pitched 2.2 IP, and was walked five while striking out four, all the strikeouts in this game.

Other Scottsdale Prospect Lines:

• RF Zyhir Hope (MLB #26; DET #1): 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB - Seriously, Hope was the only other Top 30 listed prospect for Scottsdale to play today other than the Giants’ prospects.

Mesa Notable Prospect Lines:

• SS Arjun Nimmala (MLB #35; LAA #1): 1-4, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 E (1), 0-1 ABS
• C Davis Diaz (SAC #19): 0-5, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 PB (1), 0-1 ABS
• RF Breyson Guedez (SAC #9): 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
• CF Jake Cook (TOR #22): 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB (5)
• 3B Juan Cabada (CHC #12): 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB (1), 1 HBP

Other Games

Salt River Rafters 13, Glendale Desert Dogs 9

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Glendale Notable Prospect Lines:

• 2B Charles Davalan (MLB #84; LAD #6): 0-3, 1 BB, 1 HBP
• 1B Colby Shelton (CWS #23): 0-4, 1 K, 1 E (1), 1 HBP
• LF Caleb Bonemer (MLB #27; CWS #2): 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 3B (1)
• 3B Chase Harlan (LAD #9): 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
• CF Dillon Lewis (MIA #11): 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 2 2B (2), 0-1 ABS
• DH Eduardo Quintero (MLB #18; LAD #3): 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B (1), 1 HBP
• RF Owen Carey (ATL #21): 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1-1 ABS
• PH-DH Isaiah Drake (ATL #29): 1-2, 1 R
• SP Briggs McKenzie (ATL #8): 2.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 1 Balk

Salt River Notable Prospect Lines:

• DH Demetrio Crisantes (MLB #72, AZ #1): 4-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B (2), 1 SB (3)
• LF Jared Thomas (COL #10): 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 1 HR (1)
• SS Andy Perez (COL #15): 3-5, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B (1), 1 3B (1), 1 CS (1)
• 3B Core Jackson (NYY #11): 1-2, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (3)
• SP Patrick Forbes (AZ #11): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP
• RP Konner Eaton (COL #17): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP

Peoria Javelinas 10, Surprise Saguaros 4

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Peoria Notable Prospect Lines:

• RF Tai Peete (STL #17): 1-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 CS (2)
• LF Alex McCoy (SD #26): 2-5, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 2B (1), 2 SB (4)
• SS Carlos Sanchez (CIN #14): 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 3B (1)
• DH Ty Harvey (SD #4): 1-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
• SP Tekoah Roby (STL #14): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K

Surprise Notable Prospect Lines:

• SS Sebastian Walcott (MLB #9; TEX #1): 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B (1), 1 E (2)
• DH Aidan Miller (MLB #58; PHI #2): 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 2B (1), 1 3B (1)
• 1B Aroon Escobar (PHI #6): 1-4, 3 K, 1 SB (1)
• 2B Luke Hill (CLE #16): 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HR (1)
• RF Angeibel Gomez (MLB #81; KC #2): 2-4, 1 R, 1 K