5 keys to the River Cats’ season: Big-name prospect, a giant pitcher and a need for speed
The Sacramento River Cats are back for another season, their 22nd in West Sacramento, in a venue that has aged beautifully.
Some players are familiar faces, including intrigue prospects that anchor the Triple-A roster, and others are new to this level or play and this market. Each of the 37 players on the roster appreciates being here, but, really, they want their time here to be brief. Nothing personal. Just the business of baseball. Each signed baseball contracts to toil in the big leagues, to use the minor leagues as a launching pad, so motivation isn’t an issue.
But breaking into the San Francisco Giants’ lineup or roster is the issue, so the waiting game becomes paramount. It’s the life of the minor league. Sacramento’s opener is Tuesday at Sutter Health Park. Here are five reasons the River Cats are worth a peek this season:
Prime prospect
Say hello to Heliot Ramos, or better yet, stop by the park and do so yourself. Ramos is the Giants’ top prospect, a first-round selection in 2017 out of his native Puerto Rico. The 6-foot, 22-year-old power-hitting outfielder hit .254 with 14 home runs between 2021 stints with Double-A Richmond and the River Cats (there was no season in 2020 due to the pandemic).
Ramos dropped nearly 20 pounds in the offseason through rigorous conditioning workouts to “feel more athletic, faster, better, and it’s working,” he said during River Cats media day on Saturday. “Fans can expect 100 percent of effort out of me all the time. I always play hard. I love this game.”
Ramos has pride but reminds that he has perspective, too. He said the best athlete in the family is brother Hector, a professional soccer player, and he lists himself just behind him and ahead of another brother in Henry Ramos, who made his Major League Baseball debut last fall with Arizona. All with smiles, of course.
Of this particular Ramos, Giants manager Gabe Kapler said during spring training, “He’s just as talented, as physically gifted, as anybody we have in the organization. He hits the balls as hard as anybody we have in the organization. He can run around center field, get good jumps and good jumps on the bases as well.”
Message: Catch Ramos while you can. He won’t be in Sacramento long.
Towering Sean
You can’t miss Sean Hjelle, unless you’re glued to your cellular device. Hjelle is 6-11, and when he’s finished with his windup on the mound, he seemingly delivers the ball halfway down the path to the plate. If he makes it to the bigs — he reminds you that he will make it to the bigs — he will be the tallest player in MLB history. Hjelle went 5-8 last season and is 12-17 in his minor league career.
A 2018 second-round pick out of the University of Kentucky, Hjelle isn’t just a tall talent. He’s a good story. He is a proud father of two now, with George turning 2 this week and Emmett turning 4 weeks old. There’s a nice balance, too, with baseball and kids. No one is evaluating big Sean at home, how his mechanics look, his strike zone. The babies just want cuddles and eats.
“Baseball is a great outlet for families and families get a great outlet for baseball,” said Hjelle, whose good humor and broad perspective on life helps navigate the, “roller coaster of baseball in the minors, the long hot days, the trips.”
And this big-picture thought from the big pitcher on what his parents taught him: “I was a crazy, energetic wild child. My parents have always been great, supportive. They taught me to give people respect, let them know you care. Open doors for people, listen to people. It’s a lesson that sticks with me.”
Art of the Steal
Bryce Johnson is a product of football-mad Texas, a speed demon who pondered playing receiver in college because of his good hands, fast feet and 4.49-second 40-yard dash time. Never mind his myriad baseball gifts.
“And it was a legit 40 time!” the 6-1, 195-pound 26-year old outfielder said with a laugh. “I almost quit baseball to play football. Sometimes, I watch an NFL game on TV and wonder, and then when those guys get hit, no regrets.”
Johnson’s specialty is that burst, his first-step, instincts on when to take off for second base for a stolen base, and when not to. He led all of Triple-A with 30 stolen bases a year ago while batting .286, and he has swiped 112 bags with 139 RBI and 236 runs over 1,486 at-bats in his minor league career since going to the Giants in the sixth round of the 2017 draft out of Sam Houston State.
“Steals are a risk-reward thing,” Johnson explained. “I was a receiver in high school and always had good feet, a fast first step. Stealing bases is exciting, fun. People love that. I love that.”
Johnson’s father, Darrell Johnson, played high school football in Tyler, Texas, home of the great Earl Campbell, and “Dad wanted me to play football in college” but the old man has no regrets. His son is a step away from the bigs.
Championship vibe
The River Cats have won a ton here, including three Triple-A championships, the last in 2019. And there were the five Pacific Coast League banners, and the 12 PCL North Division championships — all since 2000. What’s more, as the feeder to the Giants, you never know when a Giants player will come through for a rehabilitation assignment — a pitcher getting back in his groove, a slugger needing at-bats after injuries stalled progress.
For a good many fans, the thrill of the park is just that: the park and atmosphere. That’s why they show up. But winning never gets old.
Fire (works) up for the weekend
There are a lot of things to appreciate about Sutter Health Park, the gem of a facility that has housed the River Cats since their start in West Sacramento in 2000. It’s about as good of a minor league venue as you can find. Tickets are affordable. The summer heat cools off nicely once the sun sets.
Oh, and the fireworks. The River Cats will have postgame fireworks, win or lose, after each home Friday and Saturday contest. And come to the park hungry and thirsty. The food and beverage menus are vast.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 9:23 AM.