Kyle Harrison will make his first MLB start of the season this afternoon. The Giants southpaw is set to oppose Jake Irvin in the second game of this weekend’s set in Washington.
Manager Bob Melvin said Friday that the 23-year-old Harrison will take at lest two turns through the rotation (relayed by Justice De Los Santos of The San Jose Mercury News). Melvin wouldn’t commit to his role beyond that, saying that the “focus is on the next two starts. Then, we’ll see where we go from there.”
Harrison, once one of the game’s top pitching prospects, at least temporarily assumes the spot vacated by Justin Verlander. The three-time Cy Young winner went on the injured list with pectoral soreness earlier this week. Verlander expressed confidence that he’d be back right around when first eligible for reinstatement on June 3.
The Giants opted for Harrison to take the two starts that Verlander will definitely miss rather than pushing Jordan Hicks back into the rotation or promoting Carson Whisenhunt, whom they would have needed to add to the 40-man roster. He’d probably go back to the bullpen if Verlander makes it back as quickly as expected, but a setback or an injury to any other starter could lead to a more extended run.
Entering Spring Training, Harrison was the favorite to win the fifth starter job. He’d made 24 starts a year ago, posting a 4.56 ERA with league average strikeout and walk numbers across 124 1/3 innings. He was delayed in camp by lingering offseason shoulder soreness and an illness, however, allowing Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong to jump him on the depth chart. Roupp won the fifth starter role. Birdsong secured a multi-inning relief spot on Opening Day and has since been swapped into the rotation for Hicks. Harrison was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to begin the season.
Harrison started six games in Triple-A, putting up a 3.46 ERA across 26 innings in a tough league for pitchers. He struck out a third of his opponents, the second-best mark for PCL pitchers with 20+ frames (behind only the A’s Jacob Lopez). Harrison also kept his walk rate to a solid 7% clip, earning him a recall to the majors in early May. The Giants have used him out of the bullpen four times since then. He has worked 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball, striking out seven while walking three. His fastball has averaged nearly 96 MPH in short stints after sitting in the 93-94 range during his minor league rotation work.
Room for one of three youngsters to start the season (Roupe) now all three are on the team!
3.32 SIERA is pretty much on par with his ERA. Will be interesting how long that lasts since he’s essentially only pitched 1-inning per outing.
Should be Whisenhunt making the start today.
He’s thrown 7 IP in his last four games and he looks more than ready to make his MLB debut. AND the Giants have an open spot on the 40 man roster.
Somewhat agree, but feel once he comes up he stays. This situation is just two starts. Pretty sure he takes Verlanders spot in the rotation next season. Once these young starters get established, and the pen stays dominant SFG should have the best pitching in the league. I’m stoked for the future with this staff.
There’s a spot on the 40-man, but not on the ML roster. Someone would need to be sent down in order to call up Whisenhunt.
He’s a real wisenhammer anyways.
With an awesome change up and better spelling skills.
Verlander went on IL. That was the open spot.
Just send Beck right back down, easy.
They’re wasting Whis’ arm as it is in AAA. I just read he’s using his slider more, FB less and he’s now almost unhittable.
But if the plan is to see how Harrison looks then trade him I’d be down for that with the right return.
Apparently the slider is even getting the odd strike. Would have loved to have seen him, but Buster sticking with faith and stability. Fair call. The other consideration is Beck. He has probably been the most deserving of a call up of all the outside looking in pitchers.
davemlaw, I’m sure the Giants don’t want to start Whisenhunt’s service clock for what looks to be 2 GS.
davemlaw — Trade Harrison?!!! No. Harrison deserves the spot and knowing Verlander may be back soon, the Giants shouldn’t jerk Whisenhunt around. He’ll be up soon enough.
I completely agree Pete. Harrison is at the top of his game right now. Whisenhunt is an incredible prospect but no sense in jerking him around with Roupp, Birdsong and hopefully Harrison all dealing.
Verlander has hit 97mph and Hicks has hit 102mph this season. For teams that need pitching I think they would be the more compelling trade fodder and would potentially free up cap space for big mid season additions.
Wilmer, I don’t think either Verlander, or Hicks is going to bring back much value. Team’s will look at Verlander’s age, the injury risk, and the below league-average performance.
Maybe some team might think they can fix Hicks, but teams usually want a bargain in that case. Every team is aware of his struggles.
I’m curious about Hicks. I imagine he still wants to start and there bullpen is loaded. Doesn’t really need him. I’m thinking they might look to offload the cash if a team is willing.
Pete, I don’t think they should trade Harrison, but I’m not as avid a fan of him as a starter as you. Over the last 2 seasons he’s looked best coming out of the pen. I’m not writing him off, but I think for him to be an effective starter he needs more than 3 pitches. It looked like Wood was looking for the slurve in that 1st inning HR. It’s easier for hitters to look for something when there’s only 3 possibilities. I’d like to see him add a sinker, or cutter, or both.
Mmmm. Had to come back on this one Pete.
You have to be happy with the return for Harrison and others; Devers is a beast and the Giants are threat on both sides of the ball now.