Category Archives: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants

Conforto’s 3rd homer in 5 games not enough to spark Giants

By : Maria Guardado

@mi_guardado

LOS ANGELES — Michael Conforto was one of the San Francisco Giants‘ biggest free-agent additions last season, but he’s flown more under the radar following the arrival of several newcomers like Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler this year.

Despite the lack of fanfare, Conforto has quickly emerged as one of the club’s hottest hitters to start the year.

Conforto continued his early-season power surge by crushing his team-high third home run in five games, but it wasn’t enough in an 8-3 loss to the Dodgers in Monday night’s series opener at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants were held scoreless by left-hander James Paxton through the first five innings before Conforto put them on the board with a towering solo shot off reliever Ryan Brasier in the top of the sixth. Conforto fell behind 0-2, took a ball and fouled off two straight sliders before yanking the next one just inside the right-field foul pole for a 384-foot blast that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1.

“I caught it pretty flush and there was pretty good spin on it, so not much hook,” Conforto said. “It was the third straight slider, so my third chance on it. I put a pretty good swing on it and kept it fair.”

Conforto’s homer provided a brief spark, but the Giants couldn’t cash in on multiple scoring opportunities, finishing 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 on base. San Francisco’s bullpen couldn’t keep it close after that, as Teoscar Hernández broke the game open with a three-run homer off submariner Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the sixth.

The Dodgers also tacked on a pair of insurance runs against right-hander Nick Avila, who gave up RBI knocks to Mookie Betts and Will Smith after coming in to make his Major League debut in the seventh.

San Francisco’s bullpen has now allowed 20 runs over 18 innings, resulting in a Major League-high 10.00 ERA over the first five games of the season. Every reliever aside from Landen Roupp has given up at least one run thus far, though the group is light on experience after introducing four rookies — Avila, Roupp, Erik Miller and Kai-Wei Teng — into the mix early this year.

“We can be better,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We also have some guys coming, and that’s going to be key for us. Whether it’s Blake [Snell], whether it’s Alex [Cobb]. Certainly Robbie Ray down the road. Closing games out is going to be key for us.”

The latest late-inning stumble overshadowed a solid season debut for rookie right-hander Keaton Winn, who gave up three runs over five innings in his 10th career Major League appearance (his sixth start). Winn struck out six and walked one while leaning on his trademark splitter, which he threw 42% of the time and used to induce seven of his 14 whiffs. He also topped out at 98.2 mph with his fastball and mixed in 20 sliders, one shy of his entire total from the 2023 campaign.

Winn missed time with mild right elbow inflammation at the beginning of Spring Training, but he managed to recover in time to earn a spot on the Giants’ Opening Day roster. He drew a tough assignment in his first appearance of the season, as he was tasked with taking on a Dodgers lineup that features perhaps the most vaunted top of the order in the Majors in Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freeman. The trio didn’t disappoint on Monday, combining to go 6-for-11 with three RBIs and six runs scored.

“That’s a lot of high-powered guys, for sure,” Winn said. “You’ve really got to focus up and make pitches, especially the first five guys.”

While the Giants’ lineup couldn’t break through against Paxton on Monday, Conforto’s hot start bodes well for their ability to put together better offensive showings in the future. The 31-year-old left fielder underwhelmed at the plate last season after missing the entire 2022 campaign due to right shoulder surgery, but he already looks like he’s in a better offensive rhythm after going through a rehab-free Spring Training this year.

“It’s a good start,” Conforto said. “There’s a lot of good things. There’s still some at-bats that I feel like I’m missing some pitches and could get some things going and get on base a little bit more. But overall, it’s nice to see the ball leave the ballpark. I’m just going to keep working and trying to put together great at-bats and help the team win.”

Conforto didn’t get a chance to start against many lefties toward the end of last season, but he’s already homered off one southpaw — Padres reliever Tom Cosgrove — and should have an opportunity to reestablish himself as an everyday player if he can sustain this level of productivity moving forward.

“It’s been great,” Melvin said. “He’s been in there basically every day. He had a big homer off a lefty, too. We talked about the year after you have that surgery. He looks like he’s playing really well and playing with a lot of confidence.”

Maria Guardado covers the Giants for MLB.com. She previously covered the Angels from 2017-18.

San Francisco Giants

Hicks returns to starting role with authority

Lee hits first career home run, while Conforto is grand in big eighth inning

By Maria Guardado (Giants Beat Writer for MLB.com)

@mi_guardado

March 31, 2024

SAN DIEGO — Jordan Hicks waited two years for the chance to resurrect his long-held dream of being a Major League starter. If his season debut was any indication, he might not be leaving the Giants’ rotation anytime soon.

Hicks matched his career high by delivering five shutout innings in his first big league start since July 12, 2022, and Jung Hoo Lee and Michael Conforto launched eighth-inning homers to power the Giants to a 9-6 win over the Padres on Saturday night at Petco Park.

Hicks allowed only three hits while striking out six and walking one in the 81-pitch effort, extending an impressive run from San Francisco’s starting rotation, which has given up only four runs over 17 innings (2.12 ERA) over the first three games of the 2024 campaign.

“I feel like I probably could have gone another one, but knowing I only threw 72 [pitches] last outing and knowing more crowd today, a little bit more energy, more amped up, I don’t want to force anything,” Hicks said. “I felt like we were in a good position to let the bullpen come in and work. I expect, if I’m at the same pitch count, to be going back out in the next outing and future outings as well.”

The Giants’ offense mustered only two hits against new Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, including an RBI double by Tom Murphy, but they broke the game open by erupting for six runs off lefty Tom Cosgrove in the top of the eighth.

The Giants’ offense mustered only two hits against new Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, including an RBI double by Tom Murphy, but they broke the game open by erupting for six runs off lefty Tom Cosgrove in the top of the eighth.

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Mar 30, 2024

Tom Murphy drills RBI double to left field in 2nd

Lee kicked off the big inning by blasting his first career Major League home run, a solo shot that left his bat at 104.4 mph and traveled 406 feet out to right-center field. After rounding the bases, Lee immediately pointed to the stands, where his family — including his father, KBO legend Jong Beom Lee — proudly pumped their fists and exchanged hugs in a show of jubilation.

“That’s a pretty tough lefty to hit his first home run off of,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s been impressive across the board to this point.”

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Mar 30, 2024

Jung Hoo Lee’s first career homer

Lee, who traded three autographed balls and a hat to a Bay Area family in exchange for his first-homer ball, has now hit safely in each of his first three games with the Giants, going 4-for-12 with four RBIs out of the leadoff spot.

“Huge spark,” Conforto said. “He’s incredible. We love watching him hit. Everybody’s watching him when he’s up there. His discipline, his eye at the plate, his ability to stay on pitches, stay through the middle of the field. Obviously, we saw a little bit of power – a lot of power – if he gets the right pitch. He’s been awesome. We’re just going to keep putting him at the top of the lineup and let him set the tone for us.”

Lee has been viewed as more of a contact hitter, but his first blast suggested that he might have more thump in his left-handed bat than expected.

“Back in the KBO, I got a lot of doubles, triples,” Lee said via interpreter Justin Han. “I’m just thinking about the bat-to-ball skills. … I feel like getting adjusted to the league has been a good process, and it’s all because of my teammates.”

Lee extended the Giants’ lead to 4-1, but the knockout blow came five batters later, when Conforto slugged his second career grand slam on a misplaced sinker from Cosgrove. It was Conforto’s second home run in three games, and his first grand slam since May 28, 2019.

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“I feel like everything is coming together at the right time, right at the beginning of the season,” Conforto said. “It was a cool at-bat to have, bases loaded against that guy. He’s a good lefty. To battle and fight and kind of change my approach by the end of it, that felt really good.”

The flamethrowing Hicks topped out at 99.5 mph with his fastball, but he also mixed in plenty of wicked sweepers and splitters, which accounted for four of his six strikeouts. He stumbled into a jam after the Padres loaded the bases with one out in the fourth, but he managed to avoid damage by striking out Tyler Wade swinging on the split and then inducing an inning-ending lineout from Jackson Merrill.

“He’s throwing 3-2 splitters to strike guys out,” Melvin said. “You get a third weapon like that, with his fastball, it’s pretty tough to think along with him.”

Hicks also benefited from some elite defense when third baseman Matt Chapman backhanded Fernando Tatis Jr.’s hard-hit grounder to the left side before spinning and throwing to first for the final out of the third. Shortstop Nick Ahmed also made a phenomenal barehanded play to rob Tatis again to end the fifth, drawing more appreciation from Hicks.

“I love having them there,” Hicks said. “You can’t ask for much more. They were very, very good today.”

Maria Guardado covers the Giants for MLB.com. She previously covered the Angels from 2017-18.

San Francisco Giants

Whisenhunt displays electric stuff in brief Triple-A season debut

https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/topic/mlb-pipeline-coverage

By: Jesús Cano

@jesus_cano88

The Giants are already loaded with a starting rotation consisting of Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Jordan Wicks and Kyle Harrison, but a young arm is strong-arming his way toward San Francisco.

In his 2024 debut, Carson Whisenhunt struck out six batters while allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings in Triple-A Sacramento River Cats 1-0 win over Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon at Sutter Health Park.

“It’d be really cool to get the opportunity to go up there and be with those guys,” Whisenhunt said. “I’m trying not to look that far ahead. Just trying to get back into the field and take care of things. And if I get the opportunity to go out there, I’ll take advantage of it.”

MLB Pipeline’s No. 80 overall prospect allowed just one hit — a single grounded to right field by Livan Soto, the second batter he faced — and racked up 12 swings-and-misses.

The 23-year-old’s arsenal is equipped with a sinker, a slider and a curveball. On Sunday, Whisenhunt generated five whiffs with his sinker, which topped at 95 mph. His changeup accounted for seven whiffs.

“I’ve been working on a bunch of different things through Spring Training and the offseason,” Whisenhunt said. “I feel like all of my pitches were really good today. There were a few misses that I can work on and get better at, but for just that first time back out there, an actual game felt really good.”

Whisenhunt put himself on the map last year. In 16 appearances, he posted a 2.45 ERA and held hitters to a .177 average-against in 58 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A. He ascended from the club’s No. 8 prospect slot to No. 3 this season.

“I’m not trying to do too much on the mound,” Whisenhunt said about last season’s success. “I’m trying not to overthink it or do anything out of the ordinary. Coming into this year, I’m trying to keep that same mindset, just trying to stay myself.”

His numbers are even more impressive when you consider that he was shut down late last July with a left elbow sprain. Remaining healthy was a key priority for Whisenhunt during the offseason.

Having already mastered his changeup and sinker, the East Carolina product also spent time working on command and developing his curveball. He only threw it twice for the River Cats in Sunday’s game, but already feels like progress has been made.

San Francisco Giants

Giants agree to two-year contract with left-handed pitcher Blake Snell

March 19, 2024

Blake Snell

Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Giants and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner LHP Blake Snell agreed to terms on a two-year Major League contract worth $62 million, which includes an opt-out following the 2024 season. Snell will earn a $15 million salary in 2024 while also receiving a $17 million signing bonus, payable on January 15, 2026. Snell will earn $30 million in 2025, of which $15 million will be deferred and paid on July 1, 2027. Snell will also make an annual donation to the Giants Community Fund, which includes $160,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. 

Snell, 31, posted a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA over 32 starts last season en route to his second Cy Young Award (first in the NL). Snell, who previously won the award in the American League with Tampa Bay in 2018, joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Max Scherzer, Gaylord Perry, and Roy Halladay as the only players in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. 

In addition to winning his second Cy Young, Snell also led the Majors in ERA for the first time in his career with his 2.25 figure in 2023 (he led the AL with his 1.89 ERA in his other Cy Young year in 2018). He also led the Majors last season in opposing batting average (.181), opponent slugging percentage (.286), opponent OPS (.579), and hits allowed per 9.0 innings (5.75). His 234 strikeouts were tied for third-most in the Majors behind ATL’s Spencer Strider (281) and TOR’s Kevin Gausman (237). 

Named The Sporting News 2023 National League Starter of the Year, Snell last year posted career-bests in starts, strikeouts, and opponents slugging percentage and came just two outs shy of matching a career-high in innings pitched (180.0). He also had the best bWAR among pitchers (6.0) in the NL. 

Snell was selected by Tampa Bay in the supplemental first round (52nd overall) of the 2011 Draft out of Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA. The lefty made his MLB debut in 2016 and had a breakout season in 2018, when he earned his first Cy Young award after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA across 31 starts. He finished ninth in the MVP voting that season and was named an American League All-Star. 

In 191 career starts, Snell has gone 71-55 with a 3.20 ERA and 1,223 strikeouts across his eight seasons with the Rays (2016-2020) and Padres (2021-2023). In 12 career Postseason games (10 starts), Snell is 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. 

With the addition of Snell, the Giants’ 40-man roster is currently at 40 players.

San Francisco Giants

GIANTS NAME DUSTY BAKER SPECIAL ADVISOR TO BASEBALL OPERATIONS

January 18, 2024

Photos By : Shawn Jonas

Dusty Baker is back with the Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The San Francisco Giants today announced that former manager Dusty Baker will return to the organization as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations and will perform duties both on the baseball and business side.

      “We are so excited to welcome Dusty back into the Giants organization,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer. “Dusty’s experience, knowledge, and the success he’s had in his 50 years of baseball will be an invaluable piece to the success and continued development of our baseball operations efforts both on and off the field.” 

      “I was fortunate enough to get to know Dusty when we overlapped in the organization in 2019, and I’m excited to get to work with him again,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “We’ve had a chance to meet in person and discuss our shared vision of bringing championship baseball back to San Francisco. I learn something new in every interaction with him and look forward to leaning on his experience and perspective on the game.”

Baker and Melvin chat.

      “I’m thrilled to be on the same team as Dusty again,” said Giants Manager Bob Melvin. “He’s been a great friend and mentor to me over the years. More than anything, I don’t have to manage against him anymore. Welcome home Bake.”

      “I’ve enjoyed my stops at various places but I’m happy to be back home,” said Baker. “I look forward to providing guidance to the organization and helping the Giants get back to the top in a very tough division.”

      Baker will join the Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour for the first stop in Sacramento this Saturday, January 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sutter Health Park – Home of the Sacramento River Cats.

      The three-time National League Manager of the Year returns to the Giants organization after serving the previous four seasons as the manager of the Houston Astros, where he posted a combined record of 320-226 (.586), leading the Astros to two trips to the World Series, including his first championship as a manager in 2022. In four years with Houston, Baker reached the American League Championship Series four times, won three consecutive AL West division titles (2021-23), two AL pennants (2021-22), and one World Series, beating the Phillies in six games in 2022. He is the oldest manager to win a World Series.

      Before his stint with the Astros, Baker was a Special Advisor to the CEO for the Giants for two years (2018-19).

      Baker, 74, finished his 26-year managerial career as one of the most accomplished managers in history. His 2,183 wins in the regular season are the seventh-most in history and he’s the only manager to lead five different teams to the postseason. During his 26-year managerial career, he posted a 2,183-1,862 (.540) record with the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-06), Cincinnati Reds (2008-13), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and Houston Astros (2020-2023). Baker produced 13 Postseason teams, including 10 division championships (San Francisco, 1997 and 2000; Chicago, 2003; Cincinnati, 2010 and 2012; Washington, 2016 and 2017; Houston, 2021, 2022, 2023), and three wild card appearances (San Francisco, 2002; Cincinnati, 2013; Houston 2020).

      Baker’s coaching career started as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants in 1988 and he then spent the following four years (1989–92) as the hitting coach before being named manager in 1993. In his very first year as Giants manager, he won the 1993 NL Manager of the Year award, leading the team to a 103–59 record, which was the second-best record in baseball that year. His Giants teams went on to win division titles in 1997 and 2000 and the National League pennant in 2002. His 840 wins with San Francisco rank third-most in team history behind Bruce Bochy (1,052) and Hall of Famer John McGraw (2,583).

      A career .278 hitter, Baker played 19 seasons in the big leagues and compiled 242 home runs, 320 doubles, 23 triples, and 1,013 RBI. He finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice (1980 and 1981), and from 1980-82 he hit .303, averaging 20 home runs, 20 doubles, and 78 RBI a year while earning two Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove, and two All-Star selections.

      Baker currently resides in Sacramento, CA with his wife, Melissa, and has two children, Natosha and Darren, and a pair of grandchildren. He is a 1967 graduate of Del Campo High School (Carmichael, CA) and attended American River College (Sacramento, CA). Baker was inducted into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and the California Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2015, he was enshrined in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.