In an era where durable workhorse pitchers are a rarity, San Francisco Giants' right-hander Logan Webb stands out as a true throwback. Webb's ability to lead a rotation and consistently deliver innings sets him apart in today's game, where such expectations have diminished. Reflecting on his performance, Webb shared, "I got through 204 innings last year, and if you go back 15 years, I’d probably finish 30th in the league in innings pitched. It's crazy to look at." Webb's goal is to push his limits even further, aiming for 220 innings and more playoff appearances. His determination and resilience serve as a bridge between baseball's past and its future, showcasing the enduring value of a dependable pitcher.

​Webb's success is not solely defined by his innings pitched but by his productivity and impact on the game. Since joining the Giants in 2019, he has consistently delivered strong performances, culminating in a 13-10 record with a 3.47 ERA last season. Leading the NL in innings for the second consecutive year, Webb's durability and pitching prowess have become his trademark. Giants manager Bob Melvin emphasized Webb's unique qualities, stating, "He wants to up that [total]. With five-man rotations now, 200 innings is a lot [today]. I remember Jim Palmer telling me he threw eight consecutive years of 300 innings. Things are a little different now, but Webby is a little bit different than everybody else." As baseball continues to evolve, Webb's throwback style offers valuable insights and lessons for the future of the sport.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is widely regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball, but MLB's all-time home run king Barry Bonds believes that hitting is a bit easier now than it was during his playing days. Bonds appeared on the "All The Smoke" podcast, where he discussed Ohtani's impressive talents while noting that players today have fewer concerns at the plate. Acknowledging Ohtani's brilliance, Bonds praised the 2024 NL MVP for his exceptional skills in pitching, hitting, and baserunning. "He's a complete player," Bonds said. "There's no doubt about the type of player he is and what he's accomplished in his career."
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Despite his admiration for Ohtani, Bonds pointed out that the game has evolved, making it less challenging for hitters in certain aspects. He mentioned that in his era, pitchers were more likely to plunk hitters following home runs, creating a more intimidating atmosphere at the plate. Bonds argued that Ohtani wouldn't have been able to hit multiple home runs without facing such retaliation in the past. "The game is way different than it was when I played," Bonds remarked. "Ohtani is not gonna hit two home runs without seeing one go by his ear in my generation." Bonds' comments highlight the changes in baseball over the years and the different challenges faced by players in each era.

A group of Giants prospects faced a tough challenge when they squared off against Justin Verlander in a simulated game at the club’s Player Development Center at Papago Park on Saturday afternoon. The young players were surprised when Verlander used the opportunity to debut a new pitch. Giants pitching coach J.P. Martinez revealed that Verlander decided to try throwing a curveball with "added sweep" during his second outing of the spring, where he gave up two runs on two hits over three innings. This curveball, which was his primary secondary pitch last season, had previously allowed opposing batters to hit .340 against it, the highest mark of his career. However, Verlander, who held opposing batters to a .158 average with the same pitch in 2022, is now experimenting with a new grip to add more horizontal movement and recapture the pitch's effectiveness.
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Martinez explained that Verlander was eager to utilize the team's internal Hawkeye tools to tweak his grip and gain more movement. "He was really interested in that tool and wanted to try it out in a kind of a low-leverage environment," Martinez said. "I thought it was pretty good. ... I think it’s just something he’s exploring to see if he wants to add it or if he just goes back to the same curveball he’s had for 20 years." As Verlander continues to refine his new curveball grip, the Giants' prospects will have to stay on their toes, anticipating even more challenging pitches from the veteran pitcher.

Robbie Ray, the veteran pitcher, decided to reach out to Tigers ace Tarik Skubal after witnessing his playoff dominance last season. Ray texted the reigning American League Cy Young and Triple Crown winner, asking if Skubal would share his changeup grip. To Ray's delight, Skubal was more than willing to help, sending pictures, videos, and detailed instructions. The two left-handers kept in touch throughout the winter, with Ray diligently working on perfecting the pitch. Ray acknowledged, "I’ve always struggled with throwing a changeup, and I don’t pronate very well. The way that he taught me, you don't have to. It seems to be working pretty well."
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Ray finally debuted his new changeup in the Giants’ 7-5 loss to the A’s at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Despite relying primarily on his fastball-slider combination, the 33-year-old mixed in a handful of changeups during his two scoreless innings, striking out three batters. Ray was pleased with the results, attributing much of his success to Skubal's guidance. By incorporating this new pitch into his arsenal, Ray hopes to enhance his effectiveness on the mound and continue to be a formidable presence in the league.

Justin Verlander made his spring training debut for the San Francisco Giants on Monday, pitching two innings at the age of 42. The veteran right-hander struck out one batter and allowed a solo home run to Colorado's Michael Toglia in the first inning. Despite the initial hiccup, Verlander managed to walk the next batter before retiring the last four he faced, with all three Rockies hitters in the second inning being retired on flyballs. This outing marks Verlander's first start of the spring, which came just four days after celebrating his 42nd birthday.
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Verlander's 262 career wins are the most among active pitchers, and he is preparing for his 20th major league season, his first with the Giants. After an injury-plagued 2024 season in Houston, where he was limited to 17 starts due to shoulder inflammation and neck discomfort, Verlander is looking to bounce back. He signed a $15 million, one-year contract with San Francisco, hoping to regain his form and contribute to the team's success. With a career 3.30 ERA, Verlander is determined to overcome last season's struggles and prove that age is just a number.

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy has been diagnosed with a herniated disc in his mid-back, sidelining him for multiple weeks. Murphy, who missed most of the 2024 season due to a knee injury, will receive an epidural injection and undergo a period of inactivity and strengthening. This injury could potentially keep him from being ready for Opening Day. The Giants have announced that Sam Huff and Max Stassi will compete for the backup catcher position in Murphy's absence. Murphy, who signed a two-year deal with the Giants in the 2023-24 offseason, has a history of injuries but has shown strong performance when healthy.

​Murphy's absence is a significant blow to the Giants' roster, as his experience and reliability as a catcher are invaluable. The team will need to rely on their depth and the performance of Huff and Stassi to fill the gap left by Murphy. The Giants' management remains hopeful for Murphy's recovery and return to the field, but his injury history raises concerns about his long-term durability. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they will need to navigate these challenges and ensure they have a solid plan in place for their catching duties.

Logan Webb was in the training room at Scottsdale Stadium, prepping for his bullpen session, when he caught a glimpse of breaking news on MLB Network: Manager Bob Melvin had officially named him the Giants' Opening Day starter. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Webb has been granted this prestigious honor, a testament to his consistent performance and leadership on the mound. Although the news was unexpected to Webb at that moment, the decision itself was far from surprising given his track record.
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Manager Bob Melvin didn't feel the need to inform Webb before making the announcement, as the choice was evident. "He's our guy," Melvin stated. "He came up in the system. There's a lot to love about Logan. It's not even going to be a conversation." Melvin's confidence in Webb underscores the pitcher's significance to the team and his role as a cornerstone of the Giants' pitching staff.

The San Francisco Giants have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Braxton Roxby from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers and cash considerations.
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Roxby, 25, has shown potential in the minors and could be a valuable addition to the Giants' bullpen. Meanwhile, the Reds add experienced lefty Taylor Rogers to bolster their relief corps