This week’s episode of There R Giants’ podcast features a couple of my player interviews at The Diamond in Richmond (and thanks again to Trey Wilson and Blaine McCormick, the terrific communications staff that helps me arrange these conversations). First I spoke with Giants’ reliever Tyler Myrick, a 14th round pick in the 2021 draft out of Florida International who is turning into one of the really good stories from that draft.

After that, with the assistance of Richmond Fundamentals Coach Lipso Nava, I talked with breakout hitting star Victor Bericoto about his baseball journey from Venezuela to Double A.

Also, something new this week. Substack has added an AI transcription feature. This is something some of my readers have requested in the past and I’m thrilled to finally be offering it. Just hit the Tab that says “Transcription” at the top of this post and you’ll see all of the English from today’s show transcribed (there are also Spanish portions in this week’s show). I hope this helps those of you who prefer the written experience to listening!

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This week I’m joined by Danny Emerman, the terrific Giants’ beat reporter for KNBR. We talk about Kyle Harrison’s debut — among many debuts — and the complications of trying to compete and develop at the big league level at the same time.

You can follow Danny on Twitter @DannyEmerman or read all of his work at KNBR.com. And, of course, you can read all of my Giants’ prospect related work by becoming a There R Giants’ subscriber.

There R Giants is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Intro/Outro: “Radio Radio” by Elvis Costello

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This week we have a few recent interviews from The Diamond in Richmond. For the second time this year, I talk with Hayden Birdsong, who reflects on the amazing success he’s had in his first full season. Then I speak with reliever Ben Madison who’s had a slower path to Richmond, with injury and the pandemic halting his progress early in his career. Finally, I talk with Richmond Manager Dennis Pelfrey about a variety of players who have come through this talented roster over the course of the year.

Pardon the noise — BP time in a stadium is a noisy environment! But the quality of the conversations more than make up for it, I hope!

Hayden Birdsong (2:50)Ben Madison (16:00)Dennis Pelfrey (30:30)

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Intro/Outro: “Come on, Feel the Illinoise” by Sufjan Stevens

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It’s my very favorite annual tradition on the There R Giants’ podcast when MLB’s Jim Callis stops by to deliver his vast knowledge on the Giants’ newest draft class. Jim and I talk about the latest haul from the sluggers at the top to the sleepers down below and parse out some of the Giants’ strategies for finding talent.

You can follow all of Jim on twitter @jimcallisMLB or just read his work, including his upcoming re-ranking of the Giants Top 30, at MLBPipeline.com.

And, of course, you can get all of my work by subscribing to There R Giants for daily updates on all the happenings around the Giants’ farm system.

Intro/Outro: “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” by Etta James

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My guest on this week’s pod is Marc Delucchi who covers the SF Giants and their farm system for Giants Baseball Insider, a Fan Nation site. Marc and I talk about the Giants’ recent draft haul and then dive into the stories of the first half of the season on the farm. We get into how wrong we were about Patrick Bailey, the joy of watching Luis Matos, and many of the pleasant surprises of the first half of the season.

Draft Talk (2:30)First Half Storylines (8:30)Major Surprise Players of First Half (16:30)Players We’re Concerned About (28:30)Ranking the Top 3-4 Players in the Giants System (36:30)Top Trade Chips (49:40)Top Things We’d Like to See in 2nd Half (1:00:45)

Intro/Outro: “Surprise, Surprise” by the Rolling Stones

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It’s time to start thinking about the upcoming draft (July 9 for rounds 1 and 2) and I can’t think about anyone better to help me get ready than my old friend Brian Recca, who does such a great job helping out with the draft coverage for Prospects Live.

Brian and I talk about the Giants’ recent draft classes, Brian’s shadow Giants draft, and, of course, who they might take with the 16th pick of this year’s draft.

Check out Brian’s latest “College Fringe Five” and definitely give the PL Mock Draft Simulator a twirl.

And, of course, subscribe to There R Giants to get all of my Giants’ prospect writings.

Intro/Outro: “The Only One” by the Black Keys

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On this week’s podcast, Giants’ infield prospect Jimmy Glowenke talks about how cool it is to hit a championship winning home run and also the importance of failure as a tool of development. And left-handed pitcher Juan Sanchez talks about growing up on the game in Venezuela, and what it was like being stuck in a motel for months on end in 2020.

Jimmy Glowenke: (1:50)Juan Sanchez (17:20)

Intro/Outro: “My Shot” by Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton

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This is going to be a fun one! My guests this week are Giants’ LHP prospect Carson Whisenhunt and Richmond Hitting Coach Cory Elasik.

I caught up with Whisenhunt the morning after his Double A debut with Richmond to talk about rapid promotions and the history and evolution of his plus plus changeup. Cory Elasik was the hitting coach for Eugene in 2022, before moving to Richmond for 2023, which gives him a great perspective to talk about the developments that have led players like Patrick Bailey, Luis Matos, and Casey Schmitt from A ball to the majors in such head-spinning fashion. Elasik also gives me a little lesson in how exactly to watch a batting practice session.

There R Giants is completely supported by readers and listeners like you. If you want to get daily reports on the Giants’ farm system delivered to your Inbox every day, just subscribe to the website.

Carson Whisenhunt (1:45)Cory Elasik (15:35)

Intro/Outro: “Move On Up” by The Jam

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It’s been a flurry of podcasts lately, I know! But when you have interviews this good in the can, you just can’t wait to space them out! So enjoy my conversations today with OF prospect Vaun Brown and RHP Carson Seymour. Why did Vaun return to “The Ninja?” What is Carson Seymour’s connection to Ted Lasso? All will be revealed!

Vaun Brown (1:50)Carson Seymour (15:40)

Intro/Outro: “We Looked Like Giants” by Death Cab for Cutie

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My guest in the latest There R Giants podcast is the voice of the San Jose Giants — as well as one of the voices of the San Francisco Giants — Joe Ritzo.

Joe and I talk about what’s been an extraordinarily fun team in San Jose this year, including his thoughts on Carson Whisenhunt, Reggie Crawford, Carter Howell, Gerelmi Maldonado and many many more!

You can follow Joe and his observations of the San Jose club on twitter at JoeRitzo, and of course you can follow me on twitter at rog61, or on Substack Notes and you can read all of my Giants’ prospects-related writings by subscribing to There R Giants, where you get daily updates throughout the week of all the action around the Giants’ farm.

Intro/Outro: “I Was Meant for the Stage” by The Decemberists

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