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 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

Nine Former Volcanoes Make the Giants

December 13, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release


KEIZER, Ore. - Last week, MiLB.com recognized the top players - regardless of age or prospect status - with the San Francisco Giants system. Boasting multiple impact players up and down their minor league affiliates, this system known for its home grown talent appears to be right on track to live up to those expectations.

Among the 2016 organizational All-Star selections, there were a total of nine former Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, including top prospect Christian Arroyo who competed for the Volcanoes throughout the majority of the 2014 season.

Here's the full list:

Most Valuable Player - Christian Arroyo: As the 25th overall selection in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft, Arroyo played the entire 2016 season with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. He led Richmond in doubles (36), hits (130), and runs scored (57). He also batted .274 and slugged .373 while logging 49 runs batted in, good for third most on the team. In addition, he displayed excellent versatility in the field by starting 48 games at both shortstop and third, while also playing 19 games at second base.

As a member of Salem-Keizer two summers ago, Arroyo saw action in 58 games and paced the Volcanoes in extra base hits with 19 - 14 doubles & five home runs. As just a 19-year old, he also was tied for fifth in the Northwest League in RBIs, driving in 48 runs.

First Baseman - Chris Shaw: This slugging corner infielder was second within the Giants system in home runs, blasting 21 long balls - 16 of which came with the Single-A Advanced San Jose Giants. After his promotion mid way through the year to Richmond, his power numbers dipped, but he still managed his way to 16 doubles and five triples.

In 2015, Shaw demonstrated the potential of his strength at Volcanoes Stadium, slugging a team-record 12 home runs with Salem-Keizer that was best in the Northwest League. His .551 slugging percentage was also tops in the NWL.

Shortstop - C.J. Hinojosa: A pleasant surprise from the 11th round of the 2015 draft, Hinojosa made his way all the way to Double-A before his 22nd birthday. Over two levels in 2016, the versatile middle-infielder reached base at a .348 clip in addition to accumulating 35 extra-base hits.

With the Volcanoes in his first season of pro ball, Hinojosa made 47 out of his 48 starts at shortstop, leading the team with 18 doubles and ranking second in batting average at .296.

Third Baseman - Ryder Jones: In 2016, no other player within the San Francisco system played more innings (775 2/3) at third base than Jones, yet it was his bat that may have impressed more. Jones led the Flying Squirrels in home runs (15) and RBIs (67) and also batted 302/.380/.429 in the Arizona Fall League.

While only spending a short time in Salem-Keizer, Jones managed to slug .393 over his 27 games with the Volcanoes before moving on to Augusta for the final 91 games of his 2014 campaign.

Outfielders - Dylan Davis: Arguably the best hitter in the system in 2016, this former Oregon State Beaver torched both the South Atlantic and California Leagues - 63 games in each - with a total 26 home runs and 92 RBIs. Both were the highest throughout all Giants affiliates.

The Volcanoes got only a small sample size of the 3rd round selection in 2014, as he only mustered four home runs in 23 games. He only played in nine other games in the Rookie Ball due to injuries, but has obviously found his stride two years removed from his introduction to pro ball.

Austin Slater: After a slow start to his 2016 season between Richmond and the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats, Slater caught fire down the stretch, hitting .381 with nine homers and 26 RBIs over the month of August. Among qualified batters, the 23-year old ranked second on the Rivercats with a .506 slugging percentage.

Slater competed in 29 games with Salem-Keizer in 2014 and although did not flash the power he has currently displayed, he did post a .347 average and an on-base percentage of .417.

Steven Duggar: Reaching Double-A in just his second season in the system, Duggar improved just about every part of his offensive production, as evident in his organization-leading 72 walks. He also batted .302 with 10 homers and 28 doubles over 130 games between San Jose and Richmond.

As a Volcano in 2015, Duggar led Salem-Keizer getting on base at a .390 clip while primarily patrolling right field over his 58 games played. He also led all outfielders with seven assists and was second with 106 put outs.

Utility - Miguel Gomez: Already in his fifth season in the Giants organization, this 23-year old Dominican native built on a strong 2015 season and truly broke out in 2016, leading all full-season San Francisco prospects with a .330 batting average. He also struck 17 dingers and only struck out 53 times.

The aforementioned 2015 campaign saw Gomez slash .318/.331/.442 over 66 games with the Volcanoes to go along with six homers and 14 doubles. However, his highlight was leading the NWL with a whopping 52 RBIs.

Right-Handed Starting Pitcher - Tyler Beede: Despite a subpar 2015 season that saw his earned run average balloon to above 5.00, this former 2014 1st round selection rebounded in 2016 to lead the Eastern League with a stellar 2.81 ERA. He also was second with 135 strikeouts and surrendered only 46 walks over his 147 2/3 innings pitched.

His tenure in Salem-Keizer was short - only two starts - but was solid as he only gave up one earned run in both starts, while striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings and giving up just three walks.

Relief Pitcher - Reyes Moronta: In addition to being named a Giants organizational All-Star, Moronta is also up for MiLBY Top Relief Pitcher of the Year. It is well deserved considering his staggering numbers with San Jose, having posted a jaw dropping 14.2 strikeout-per-nine-inning ratio. In addition to his 93 strikeouts over 53 innings, Moronta posted a 2.59 ERA and collected 14 saves in 18 opportunities.

While with the Volcanoes, the Dominican Republic native was actually used in a starting pitching role, making 6 starts and logging 21 1/3 innings. Despite a 2-2 record, he still demonstrated put away stuff, striking out 22 batters and walking just eight.

Honorable Mention - Other former Volcanoes to grace the list in the honorable mention category included catcher Aramis Garcia (2014), and pitchers Mike Connolly (2013), Cory Taylor (2015), and Dan Slania (2013). This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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