The bullpen

Camilo Doval slots in as the closer and he is among the game’s best. Get this: in 2022 Doval threw 67-2/3 IP in 68 appearances and allowed 54 hits and 27 runs while whiffing 80 and walking 30. In 2024 he also threw 67-2/3 innings (in 69 games) while allowing 51 hits and 32 runs to go along with 87 whiffs and 26 walks. Let’s just say he is easy to project! He had 27 saves in 2023 and led the league with 39 last year. That takes care of the 9th inning.

The Brothers Rogers remain as the set-up men. Righty submariner Tyler will see a lot of work and is still a hard guy to square up. I love watching him pitch! Tyler has been a valuable guy in the late innings and I expect that to continue. His hard-throwing southpaw brother Taylor is very tough on lefties but has struggled with walks lately and is increasingly vulnerable to right-handed hitters. He’s the only lefty in the ‘pen right now. He’s also signed through next year. Taylor is an important veteran arm so let’s hope he has a strong season.

Luke Jackson and Ryan Walker round out the top relief spots. The 2024 Giants will be without Jakob Junis and John Brebbia, both solid guys, but some potential replacements are emerging. Non-roster invitees Juan Sanchez, Nick Avila, and Daulton Jeffries seem poised to pick up the final spots (assuming 13 pitchers, 8 in the ‘pen). Sanchez is a young (23) lefty from Venezuela, signed as an amateur free agent. Avila is 2019 pick (26th rd.) from Long Beach State. Jeffries is a former Cal star and 1st rounder (2016 #37 overall, Oakland) who has 56 IP of big-league ball under his belt.

We’ll see who sticks after this weekend.

–M.C.