Why was Jordan Hicks moved to the bullpen?
His ERA was too high, and the Giants wanted to explore other options.
Yanuki
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Sports / MLB
Giants Adjust Pitching Rotation: Hicks to Bullpen, Birdsong to Rotation
The San Francisco Giants are adjusting their pitching rotation, with Jordan Hicks moving back to the bullpen and Hayden Birdsong stepping into the starting rotation. This decision comes after Hicks struggled in his initial starts, despite p...
Key Insights
- Jordan Hicks, after signing a $44 million deal to be a starter, returns to the bullpen due to a high 6.55 ERA in his first nine starts.
- Hayden Birdsong, a 23-year-old right-hander, will make his first start of the season against the Royals.
- Advanced metrics suggested Hicks was unlucky, with a 3.48 FIP and 3.75 xERA, but the Giants opted for a change.
- Hicks is averaging 97.2 mph with his sinker.
In-Depth Analysis
Jordan Hicks' transition back to the bullpen comes after the Giants signed him with the intention of him being a starter. Despite bulking up in the offseason to improve stamina, his ERA reached a high 6.55, leading to the change. Manager Bob Melvin emphasized the team is making adjustments to improve.
Hayden Birdsong gets the opportunity to start after a strong performance as a reliever, posting a 2.31 ERA in 11 appearances. The Giants have a surplus of young pitching talent, including Kyle Harrison, who will remain in the bullpen for now.
Hicks' peripheral numbers suggested he performed better than his ERA indicated, with a high ground ball rate and low hard contact rate. However, a high BABIP and low strand rate contributed to his struggles. Some speculate that Hicks may have been tipping his pitches.
Despite expressing a desire to remain a starter long-term, Hicks is willing to help the team in any role. He aims to improve his swing-and-miss rate as a reliever, an area where he underperformed as a starter.
FAQ
What is Hayden Birdsong's background?
Birdsong has a 2.31 ERA in 11 relief appearances this year and started 16 games last year as a rookie.
Takeaways
- Jordan Hicks will now leverage his high-velocity pitching in shorter relief outings.
- Hayden Birdsong gets a chance to prove himself as a starter.
- The Giants are prioritizing performance and making adjustments to optimize their pitching staff.
Discussion
What do you think of the Giants' decision to move Hicks to the bullpen? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
Sources
Disclaimer
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