Robbie Ray had a strong start but the bullpen faltered to break the Giants spring win streak. Key Lines:
Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 2, 2B. BA= .261. Bailey's double in the 4'th inning drove in 2 of the Giants 3 runs. Seven other Giants had a single each in the game for a total of 8 hits.
Robbie Ray LHP- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 8 K's. ERA= 1.93. You can probably write everything else that happened in this game off to normal spring variation, but a healthy effective season from Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander RHP would be a huge boost to the Giants postseason chances. If what we saw from them the last two games is what we'll get for a full season, the Giants will be OK.
Jordan Hicks RHP starts tomorrow afternoon in a road game against the Brewers.
I thought I would break down where the Giants are with the bullpen part of their roster. If the Giants carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players there is room for 8 RP's on the roster:
Locks(3): Ryan Walker RHP(closer), Camilo Doval RHP, Tyler Rogers RHP.
Probable(2): Erik Miller LHP, Sean Hjelle RHP
Miller because he is the only LHP on the 40-man roster(although he has options). Hjelle because Melvin likes him and he is unique physical talent.
Inside Track(2): Lou Trivino RHP, Joey Lucchesi LHP.
Trivino is a veteran who pitched very well for Melvin in the past and appears to be fully healthy after two missed seasons. Lucchesi fits the profile of a lefty reliever who can go more than 1 inning and even spot start Melvin said he is looking for plus he's on one of those hybrid conditional MLB contracts which usually means it's his job to lose and he has done nothing to lose it so far.
In the mix for final spot(1): Spencer Bivens RHP, Randy Rodriguez RHP, Joel Peguero RHP, Tristan Beck RHP, Landen Roupp RHP.
Roupp appears to have the inside track at the #5 SP role and if he loses out on that he may be more likely to go to AAA to work there as a SP. Beck has appeal as a swingman. Bivens and Rodriguez both pitched well last season and are known quantities. But how can Peguero and his 101 MPH FB not make the team? He gave up an inherited run today but if he continues to throw that cheese and get results, I think the braintrust is going to have a hard time leaving him off.
maybe Winn a RP candidate too
ReplyDeleteYes, so many it's hard to think of them all.
DeleteWinn has probably emerged as a #5 SP candidate too.
Deletehow unique is Hjelle? I always figured your implication is that 6'11" Righties DO grow on trees
ReplyDeletePer Google AI:
DeleteTwo MLB players have been listed at 6'11" or taller: Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle.
Rauch: A pitcher who played in the MLB for 11 seasons, Rauch was the first player listed at 6'11" to appear in an MLB game.
Hjelle: A pitcher who debuted in 2022, Hjelle is also listed at 6'11" and is tied with Rauch as the tallest player in MLB history
Rauch had a decent career as a reliever.
DeleteAfter the for-sure very good pitchers, 6 or 8 or ? very good ones, are all the rest of the 18 or 20 good choices?
ReplyDeleteWould you rate the ultimate Giants 13-man staff among the best in MLB?
I haven't gone through the depth charts around the league but I think the Giants pitching is competitive with the better pitching staffs and has impressive depth in it's young arms.
DeleteNice analysis. I hope the Trivino / Lucchesi / Peguero can continue their SSS success through the year. They appear to be untested quantities but are promising so far. I am hoping they try Enny Romero at the MLB level at least once this year.
ReplyDeletethey could use their pitching surplus to trade for a rental 1B if need be come the trade deadline if crawford isn't ready to go
ReplyDeleteI think you mean Eldridge?
Delete