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Spring Training 2025

LHG

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I was leaning that way too, but per Maria Guardado:

Kyle Harrison allowed an RBI double in his first inning of work, but he also hit 95 mph while striking out Max Muncy looking to end the sixth, which is the highest velocity we've seen from him this spring.
And this from Brisbee today:

You saw that line from Birdsong. His stuff looks amazing, and he’s having an impressive spring, just like Landen Roupp. If you want to make the case that the Giants rotation is better with either Birdsong or Roupp in there over Harrison, there’s evidence on your side. Either one of them might be one of the five best starting pitchers in the organization right now. Both of them might be.
It’s one thing to have capable young pitchers in Triple A in the event of an emergency, but it’s another thing to know what constitutes an emergency with any precision. And we’re doing these thought experiments on easy mode because the contrast between Roupp and Birdsong’s dominance and Harrison’s quadruple-digit Cactus League ERA is so obvious. Imagine how complicated it will get with differences that aren’t as stark. Or consider some of the pitchers we haven’t named yet, like Tristan Beck, Keaton Winn, Trevor McDonald and the assorted Carsons. It’ll get confusing if one of them is having an excellent season while someone in the major-league rotation is pitching only slightly worse than expected.
Harrison was expected to be a part of the Giants’ rotation for years to come, and he showed enough promise last year to stick with that plan throughout the entire offseason. Some spring hiccups in 6 2/3 innings shouldn’t undo all of that. The Giants will have more information than we do, especially without Statcast in every park, and they’ll have watched every side session under a microscope. It’s still hard to imagine the decision being easy, though. They have two young pitchers dominating in March and a struggling incumbent who seemed like the future of the rotation just three weeks ago. It might be a sign that the Giants need to pivot. Or it might be a reason to tap the sign that reads, “You should ignore most Cactus League box scores,” especially when the most recent evidence we have is of Harrison throwing a livelier fastball with better command. He allowed runs doing it, but don’t make me tap the sign even harder.
Guess that means we shouldn't be calling the 3 man race for the 5th starter spot so soon.
 

LHG

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Fuck me and the horse you rode in on…

I saw that he was dealing with back issues a couple days ago but assumed it was minor at the time. Hope that it doesn't keep him out long.
 

tzill

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Justin Verlander got a loud ovation and tipped his cap after striking out Luis Robert Jr. on a 96.5-mph fastball on his 78th pitch of the game. He gave up 3 hits and struck out 6 in five shutout innings vs. the White Sox, looking like the Verlander of old.

JV is ready
 

LHG

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msgkings322

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Justin Verlander got a loud ovation and tipped his cap after striking out Luis Robert Jr. on a 96.5-mph fastball on his 78th pitch of the game. He gave up 3 hits and struck out 6 in five shutout innings vs. the White Sox, looking like the Verlander of old.

JV is ready
Problem is it’s the White Sox of new…historically bad offense. But kidding aside, he has looked great this spring.
 

tzill

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The Giants might realize some value simply by having Justin Verlander as a second pitching coach. Hayden Birdsong moved more toward the third base side of the mound in camp due in part to a suggestion from Verlander. Birdsong has not walked a batter in 12 innings this spring.
 
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