SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants couldn’t say for certain what they were getting when they signed Justin Verlander. He, yes, still had the passion. He was also fresh off the worst season of his career and turning 42-years-old.
The Giants, still, cannot say for certain what they are getting with Justin Verlander. Not until he pitches in a real game with real stakes. But over the last month, Verlander continues to provide grounds for optimism.
Verlander turned in his longest outing of Cactus League play as the Giants beat the A’s, 5-3, on Tuesday evening at Scottsdale Stadium, allowing one earned run on a solo homer over five innings with four strikeouts. Between his three Cactus League starts and his Papago Park outing, Verlander owns 3.21 ERA with 13 strikeouts to three walks over 14 innings. Spring training is spring training, but Verlander’s tank looks nothing close to empty.
“Last year, it was tough with the injuries. Then, we saw some video of his bullpens this year and it’s looked really good,” said manager Bob Melvin. Since he’s been to camp, whether it’s bullpens or games, right now, it looks like a really good signing for us.”
For Verlander, his ability to strikeout batters this spring has been one of his most encouraging trends, a development that’s been due in part to him re-gaining some ticks on his fastball. Last season, Verlander struck out 7.4 batters per nine innings, his lowest mark since 2015 (7.6 K/9). Verlander’s strikeout numbers were fine prior to going on the injured list with neck discomfort (8.1 K/9) but plummeted upon returning (6.2 K/9).
“It’s real similar to the look he’s had for a very long time,” Melvin said. “He’s not throwing 100 (mph), but his breaking balls are sharp, he’s got a changeup, he’s got a curveball, he’s got different pitches. He looks like the guy that we’ve seen before in the past.”
The one blip on Verlander’s line this spring are the homers. Including his Papago Park performance, Verlander is up to three this spring after allowing a solo shot to the A’s Zack Gelof. Verlander’s home run rate will be worth monitoring after he allowed a career-worst 1.49 home runs per nine innings last season, but in less than a month, Verlander will trade in the dry Arizona sky for cold San Francisco nights.
Ramos sees more time in leadoff spot
Heliot Ramos batted leadoff for the second time this spring, slotted in at the top of the order as the Giants faced left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Ramos feasts of left-handed pitching, owning a career .956 OPS over 123 plate appearances. Last season, Ramos had a .370/.439/.750 slash line against left-handed pitching, his 1.189 OPS against lefties being second to only Aaron Judge (1.240).
“You look at his numbers last year, it’s pretty significant,” Melvin said. “We’re just trying to maximize his at-bats against lefties. We’ll see where it goes, but right now, I like it.”
As good as Ramos has been against lefties, the 25-year-old has struggled against right-handers. Over 413 plate appearances, Ramos has a .234/.281/.375 slash line against right-handers.
“For a time there, he was pretty good against righties, too. It kind of fell off there at the end,” Melvin said. “It’s just about staying off the heater at the top of the zone and chasing the slider away. It’s easier said than done. You’re going to get a better look at it from the other side of the plate with the lefties, but he’s done some damage against righties, too.”
Giants make latest round of cuts
The Giants announced their latest round of cuts prior to Tuesday’s game against the A’s, reassigning infielder Sergio Alcántara, catcher Adrián Sugastey, right-hander Justin Garza and left-handers Antonio Jimenez and Helcris Olivárez.
With Jimenez and Olivárez no longer in camp, Joey Lucchesi and Enny Romero are the only left-handed non-roster invitees remaining. Lucchesi, 31, and Romero, 34, are both competing to be the second lefty in the Giants’ bullpen alongside incumbent Erik Miller. Most bullpen typically carry two left-handers, but San Francisco is willing to open the season with Miller as the only lefty in their ‘pen.
Worth noting
- Kyle Harrison, who’s in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation, said that he lost roughly 10-15 pounds as a result of being sick right before the start of spring training.
- Matt Chapman continued his white hot spring, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Through nine games, Chapman is hitting .550/.654/1.150 with four homers and 11 RBIs.