San Francisco Giants Reassign Kyle Crick, 12 Others To Minor-League Camp

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher Kyle Crick throws a pitch during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. USA defeated World 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants on Thursday made their first cuts of spring training, shipping 12 players, including top prospect Kyle Crick to their minor-league camp.

They also optioned first baseman Angel Villalona to Triple-A Fresno.

Crick, 21, is ranked as the top prospect in the organization according to MLB.com. He did not appear in an “A” game in spring training.

He made 14 starts at Advanced-A San Jose last season, posting a 1.57 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 68.2 innings with 95 strikeouts. Crick was a first-round pick, 49th overall, by the Giants out of Sherman (Texas) High School in 2011.

Other cuts included pitchers Clayton Blackburn, Ty Blach, Chris Heston, Jose Casilla, Rafael Dolis and Sandy Rosario; catchers Jeff Arnold and Ben Turner; infielder Joe Panik; and outfielders Mac Williamson and Javier Herrera. (h/t CSNBayArea.com)

Here’s how the pitchers fared in Cactus League play:

• Heston allowed two runs on three hits in two innings in his lone appearance with the big club, striking out one against Oakland on Friday.
• Casilla was touched up for two runs on three hits and two walks while getting just one out in his only appearance against the Padres on Monday.
• Dolis pitched a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out one, against Arizona on Sunday.
• Blackburn, Blach and Rosario did not pitch in any main squad games. According to CSNBayArea.com, Rosario has been experiencing weakness in his legs.

Here’s how the hitters performed:

• Arnold was 0-for-1 in his only appearance against the Brewers on Feb. 28.
• Turner was 0-for-1 in his lone game action against Oakland on Feb. 28.
• Panik played in three games and was 0-for-3.
• Williamson went 1-for-3 in three appearances, banging out a single in his only at-bat against the Padres on March 3 and reaching on a hit by pitch against Milwaukee on Feb. 28. He scored a run and struck out once.
• Herrera went 0-for-3 with a walk, a strikeout and a run in his only game on Feb. 28 against the A’s.

The cuts leave the Giants with 54 players in big-league camp, 15 of them non-roster invitees.

Meanwhile, there was a little bit of frivolity in camp on Thursday as well. If you’ve ever wondered what happens with a little guy and an enormous guy switch uniforms, Hunter Pence provides the answer with this Instagram photo of tiny Tim Lincecum and gigantic Kameron Loe swapping duds.

Here’s to hoping Loe didn’t suffer any … ummmm … permanent damage pulling on those pants.