The San Francisco Giants were unable to make it back to the playoffs in 2022, but San Francisco’s rotation was not part of the problem. But after an eventful winter, the Giants rotation will have a different look come 2023. Here’s how San Francisco’s rotation could shape out come 2023, a group that is set to be headlined by one of the game’s brightest young hurlers.
Related: Projecting the Mariners Rotation for 2023
A Look at the Giants Rotation Options for 2023
- RHP Logan Webb (15-6, 2.90 ERA, 7.6 K/9)
- RHP Ross Stripling (10-4, 3.01 ERA, 7.4 K/9)
- RHP Anthony DeSclafani (0-2, 6.63 ERA, 8.1 K/9)
- LHP Sean Manaea (8-9, 4.96 ERA. 8.9 K/9)
- RHP Alex Cobb (7-8, 3.73 ERA, 9.1 K/9)
The Giants rotation will look a bit different than from last season, but a familiar name is slated to sit on top. RHP Logan Webb continued to cement his status as one of the game’s top young pitchers last season, as the young Giants hurler recorded a sparkling 2.90 ERA — a figure that ranked among the top 25 (out of 99) pitchers who threw at least 125 innings last season. A ground-ball aficionado thanks to a sinker/slider/changeup combo, Webb is now set to take top billing in the Giants rotation.
Webb will be joined by RHP Ross Stripling, who is set to join the Giants for 2023 after a strong 2022 season with the Blue Jays. Last season in Toronto, Stripling posted the third-best BB/9 (1.34) in baseball last season, and had great success with his changeup and slider.
Anthony DeSclafani missed most of last season due to ankle inflammation, an injury that kept him out for parts of 2021. When healthy, DeSclafani pitched quite well in 2021 when the Giants won the NL West. That season, the righty won 13 games and posted a 3.17 ERA. San Francisco will hope for a season closer to that season, as opposed to 2022.
Stripling isn’t the only new pitcher slated to be a part of the Giants rotation for this season. LHP Sean Manaea, who gave up the sixth-highest amount of home runs (29) in baseball last season, is also headed to San Francisco for 2023. It was an uneven season for Manaea, a left-hander who saw arguably his best pitch — a changeup — get lit up by opposing hitters last season. Given the difference in speeds between his fastball & change (6.3) in 2022, as compared to 2021 (7.6), one could see a problem that Manaea had with throwing off hitters’ timing.
Alex Cobb is set to return to San Francisco, a year after the 35-year-old yet another solid campaign. Cobb posted a K/9 (9.1) above nine for the second consecutive season, and saw his BB/9 (2.5) drop to a four-year low. The right-hander has rejuvenated his career after a couple of tough seasons in Baltimore and Anaheim.
The Giants bring back a decent rotation, but one that is without its ace from 2022. LHP Carlos Rodón left after one season, as he is set to join the Yankees rotation for 2023. While San Francisco was unable to replace the power stuff of Rodón, the Giants did find a couple of veterans who could benefit in the friendly confines of the Bay Area.
Should any of the above names go down due to injuries, Jakob Junis and Alex Wood — both of whom did receive time in the Giants rotation last season — could slot in. Not to mention, top pitching prospect Kyle Harrison could also factor into the equation at some point down the line.
