CSN Bay Area · May 26, 2019
Giants must alter evaluation approach due to changes in minor leagues
Giants can't contain Diamondbacks' offense, drop third game in a rowSAN FRANCISCO -- Andrew Suarez looked up during one of his minor league starts earlier this year, saw that the Sacramento River Cats were down five runs, and thought, "We can still win this."
The thought process wasn't simply about being optimistic. It was about being realistic in the Pacific Coast League.
The league has always been offense-crazy, but this season has seen new levels of production. The PCL started using MLB balls and lineups have taken off in a league where altitude was already an issue for pitchers. Teams are averaging 5.62 runs per game and an OPS of .816, and the league-wide ERA is 5.29.