Former Live Oak High pitcher Brandon Villafuerte
’s bid to make the San Francisco Giants’ roster took a detour
this Spring, and the 29-year-old will begin the season at Triple-A
Fresno. Villafuerte, who was signed to a minor league contract by
the Giants in December and invited to Spring Training, was assigned
to the organization’s minor lea
gue camp in mid-March. The 5-11, 165 right-handed relief pitcher
tossed four scoreless innings during the spring but couldn’t wedge
his way into the Giants’ crowded big-league pitching staff.
Former Live Oak High pitcher Brandon Villafuerte’s bid to make the San Francisco Giants’ roster took a detour this Spring, and the 29-year-old will begin the season at Triple-A Fresno.
Villafuerte, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Giants in December and invited to Spring Training, was assigned to the organization’s minor league camp in mid-March.
The 5-11, 165 right-handed relief pitcher tossed four scoreless innings during the spring but couldn’t wedge his way into the Giants’ crowded big-league pitching staff.
The 1995 Live Oak grad is one of three Major League veterans on the Grizzlies roster, along with Jeremy Fikac and Armando Almanza, and the Giants appear to be stocking up on experienced pitchers in case of an injury or if one of its young pitchers struggles.
Fresno opens its season on Thursday at home against Tacoma, the opener of a four-game series at Grizzlies Stadium.
San Francisco opens its season today at 1:30pm against the Los Angeles Dodgers at SBC Park.
Last season, Villafuerte had a similar experience with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed him to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring Training before sending him to Triple-A Tucson.
Villafuerte ended up being called up to the D-backs in June, and compiled a 4.05 ERA in 20 innings pitched with the big club.
But the D-backs sent him down in July, and Villafuerte refused the minor league assignment, becoming a free agent in the process.
Villafuerte, who was drafted out of West Valley College, has pitched for several major league teams during his pro career. He has a 4.12 career ERA.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ local Single-A affiliate, the San Jose Giants, open their season on the road at Visalia on Thursday. The four-game series is the beginning of a 12-game road trip to start the year. San Jose hosts its home opener against Modesto on Thursday, April 21 at 7pm at Municipal Stadium.
