The Giants have gathered together an intriguing group of young starting pitchers. Three of them were drafted in 2018: Sean Hjelle (rd. 2, no. 45), Keaton Winn (5/130), and Ryan Walker (31/916). They've each had a taste of the majors. All of them are on the 40-man and are competing for the fifth starter spot. (Winn seems to have the inside track.) Tristan Beck, before his injury, was also in the mix. Beck came via the Mark Melancon trade and was also a 2018 draft pick (Braves, 4/112). Another youngster, Mason Black, was picked up in the third round (#85) in 2021. He was a non-roster invitee this spring but is definitely part of the team's plans going forward.
The star pupil of the group is of course 22-year old southpaw phenom Kyle Harrison. He was selected in the 3rd round (#85 overall) of the 2020 draft. Harrison had seven starts last season. They plugged him in to the second slot in the rotation behind Logan Webb in the off-season and only the acquisition of 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell bumped him down a notch or two.
The Giants picked up a young (turns 28 in September) flamethrower in free agency named Jordan Hicks. They are converting him to a starter. He is intriguing because of his raw talent (tops 100 mph regularly) and his "fresh" arm (only 243-1/3 IP in five seasons). He was a third-round pick in the 2015 draft (Cardinals, 105). Another 27-year old (he'll be 28 in November) anchors the staff. Ace Logan Webb is a fully established star.
That's an enviable group for any ballclub to have all together at one time. Now mix in the aforementioned Snell and two capable veterans returning from injury and you have the potential for a great pitching staff. Rotation stalwart Alex Cobb has pitched his best baseball since donning the orange-and-black in 2022. The 36-year old is currently ahead of his rehab schedule and may join the team in May. Lefty Robbie Ray, like Snell a Cy Young Awardee (AL, 2021), is signed through 2026. He is recovering from TJS and likely won't be ready until late in the season.
I'll take a look at the bullpen next.
--M.C.
3 comments:
The giants minor leagues seemed stacked with pitchers many of whom could make the majors this year, or possibly in 2025, that is why a one year deal for Snell as he has an opt out, is probably not a bad situation. At least a few of these giants farm hands should be able to become strong middle of the rotation starters. Hjele seems to me to be somewhat problematic. His facing home plate almost full on, and coming over the top with what is mostly arm, seems to me to not maximize his potential velocity. Maybe it helps him with control. But it seems to me if he stool a little bit more (sideways), and allowed his large frame to make significant strides to the plate, he could ad several miles of velocity.
Could he do that and not lose control? The big leagues have all the analytic guys, but the slight move seems obvious. The only problem I had with Beck last year, was that he too often elevated his slider, and that was when he would be hit. Webb did not mix in his 4 seemer at the top of the K zone enough to get the good low ball hitters off of his change up. Still with that being said, Webb has been an elite pitcher. Hoping that the giants bullpen will be solid this year. Historically Snell, and (small sample size) Harrison have not gone deep into games.
Snell averages, over his career, about 5-1/3 per start. That's an inning less than Webb.
I think we are going to see a lot of Tyler Rogers this season! He seems like the perfect complement to Snell (RH, weird delivery) and can go more than one inning.
Ryan Walker seems like he might get a long relief role. After Doval, the Rogers Bros, and Luke Jackson, there are three spots open. With Ethan Small hurt they'll need another lefty.
Juan (not Marichal this time) Sanchez looks ready to claim a relief job.
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