River Cats take over MLB Postseason
You might be watching one of the Giants’ young phenoms and wonder where did he come from? Well, odds are he was called up from Sacramento. “Late night LaMonte” Wade Jr., electric closer Camilo Doval, speedy outfielder Steven Duggar, and more former River Cats have shined during the Giants’ exceptional
You might be watching one of the Giants’ young phenoms and wonder where did he come from? Well, odds are he was called up from Sacramento.
“Late night LaMonte” Wade Jr., electric closer Camilo Doval, speedy outfielder Steven Duggar, and more former River Cats have shined during the Giants’ exceptional regular season, but they also made their mark at Sutter Health Park.
It’s no secret how much the Sacramento River Cats have helped the San Francisco Giants this season, with 38 players playing for both teams (including Alternate Site) in 2021.
Even some veterans on the mend rehabbed with Sacramento before returning to San Francisco, including righty Johnny Cueto, first baseman Brandon Belt, infielder Donovan Solano, infielder Tommy La Stella, third baseman Evan Longoria, and outfielder Alex Dickerson.
When looking at the Giants’ current 40-man roster, 29 players used to don the RC logo, including right-handers Doval, Kervin Castro, and Dominic Leone, infielder Thairo Estrada, as well as outfielders Wade Jr., Duggar, Austin Slater, and Mike Yastrzemski.
But what about the other nine teams in the postseason? Five of the nine teams have at least one former River Cats player on their 40-man roster.
Tampa Bay designated hitter Nelson Cruz, a Pacific Coast League Champion in 2004 with Sacramento, is the biggest name of the bunch.
The first to play in the postseason will be Boston infielder Christian Arroyo (2017) in the American League Wild Card game on Tuesday.
The Milwaukee Brewers have three pitchers that used to call Sacramento home in left-hander Brett Anderson (2010-2013), right-hander Jandel Gustave (2019), and righty Hunter Strickland (2015, 2018).
Atlanta has another six with right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez (2012-2013), lefty Will Smith (2018), catchers Chadwick Tromp (2021) and the injured Stephen Vogt (2013-2014, 2019), and outfielders Adam Duvall (2015) and Ehire Adrianza (2015-2016).
One 2021 reliever, righty Jimmie Sherfy, is currently on the injured list for the Dodgers.
The San Francisco Giants will kick off their postseason quest on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6:37 p.m. (PT) at Oracle Park, against the winner of the one-game Wild Card matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals.