The San Francisco Giants’ offseason moves have largely fallen short of expectations, prompting concerns that the front office may need to reassess their strategy. Despite this, the team remains in the playoff hunt, which could lead them to explore trade options before the MLB deadline. These deals would aim to bolster their current roster while also providing long-term benefits.
The San Francisco Giants’ starting rotation has struggled this season, ranking 24th in staff WAR. This can be attributed to several factors, including the poor performance of Blake Snell and the inconsistencies of young prospects Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn.
In May, left-handed pitcher had a remarkable stretch, posting a 0.93 ERA and 0.724 WHIP across five starts. During this period, four of the White Sox’s nine wins came in games he started, showcasing his significant impact on the team. This impressive performance has likely generated significant interest from other teams.
The pitcher’s journey has been marked by ups and downs over the past couple of seasons. After being drafted out of the University of Tennessee in 2020, he bypassed the minor leagues and made his MLB debut, appearing in five games and pitching six scoreless innings.
The pitcher’s professional career began in 2021, when he made his debut out of the bullpen with a respectable 2.82 ERA. However, he missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. He returned to the bullpen in May 2023, posting a 3.55 ERA.
In 2024, he transitioned to a starting role, initially struggling with a 6.00 ERA over 34.2 innings. However, he has since improved significantly, with his ERA dropping to 3.49 after his first start of June.
At 24 years old, the pitcher has maintained his elite four-seam fastball, which consistently reaches speeds of around 97 MPH. This has been his most effective pitch, but he has also introduced a cutter this season, which has become a valuable addition to his arsenal as a starter.
The San Francisco Giants have had success in recent years in converting relief pitchers to starting roles. One notable example is Jordan Hicks, who made the transition this season and has become a standout performer.
With Blake Snell potentially leaving the team after this season due to a player option, the Giants may look to fill the void by converting another bullpen arm to a starting role.
Leave a Reply