SAN FRANCISCO–It’s hard to find silver linings for a San Francisco Giants’ team that’s lost 97 games already this season, and even harder to find them in the midst of blowout defeats.
But on Tuesday evening in Phoenix, rookie reliever Reyes Moronta made a serious impression.
In the sixth inning of the Giants’ 11-4 loss against the Diamondbacks, Moronta entered and struck out the side, cutting down Arizona sluggers Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez en route to one of the most impressive innings by a Giants’ reliever in the past month.
The 24-year-old Moronta was pitching in just his sixth game since being called up to the Major Leagues for the first time at the beginning of September, but a pair of hitters that have given the Giants fits this year were no match for the right-hander on Tuesday.
“What it means is that, it’s something that I want to do, something that I strive to do,” Moronta said through translator Erwin Higueros. “When I have success against established hitters like those, it just makes me realize that I have what it takes to be here. I want to show that I belong here, and also I want to make sure that with those type of hitters, I maintain my control, that I do a good job against them.”
On the same night Giants’ left-hander Matt Moore surrendered eight runs and lasted just 1.1 innings, Moronta’s outing was the highlight of the evening for manager Bruce Bochy.
“He’s been throwing well since he’s been up here,” Bochy said. “He’s trying to make a statement, isn’t he? This kid is locating, great stuff, great slider too to go with it. He’s got no fear out there, either. He’ll work both sides of the plate, no, he’s done a real nice job.”
Though he was added to the 40-man roster last offseason, the Dominican Republic native said he didn’t envision making the jump to the Major Leagues this quickly. While he’s been in the organization since 2011, Moronta had never pitched above A-San Jose before this year and also dealt with a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the entire month of June and the first half of July.
“To be honest, yeah, I never thought I was going to be here,” Moronta said. “But yeah, at the same time, I never doubted in my abilities that one day I could be here.”
Moronta appeared on the Giants’ roster for one day in May, but did not pitch and was sent back to AA Richmond after the lone game he watched. After recovering from his injury, Moronta appeared in 13 games with AAA Sacramento and compiled a 2.12 earned run average, which gave the Giants enough reason to take a look at him this September.
Though Bochy said Moronta will need to improve his conditioning to have sustained success with the Giants, Moronta said that’s a top priority this offseason.
“First of all, I want to stay here,” Moronta said. “But at the same time, I know I have to work at it. So I want to lose weight, I want to work on my physical condition to show them that I want to stay here.”
Moronta has plans to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic with Escogido, and provided he stays healthy, he should have a chance to earn a big league roster spot with the Giants in Spring Training. While competition with other young right-handers like Kyle Crick, Tyler Beede and even Chris Stratton will be fierce, Moronta said he’s determined to stick in the majors now that he’s arrived.
“That would mean a lot to my family,” Moronta said. “It would be unbelievable. Especially now that I have a small son that’s my inspiration, he’s the one that makes me want to do better every single day.”