Heading into the season, the San Francisco Giants’ starting rotation appeared significantly bolstered on paper with the addition of two new pitchers alongside their ace, Logan Webb.
When they acquired Jordan Hicks, it was disclosed that they planned to transition him from a reliever to a starter. Later on, they secured the services of the reigning NL Cy Young winner, Blake Snell, further solidifying their starting lineup.
However, due to a brief preparation period, Snell struggled at the beginning of the season before landing on the injured list.
In Snell’s absence, the Giants have relied on other pitchers in the rotation to step up, and Keaton Winn has answered the call.
Winn’s journey has been noteworthy, considering he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft and only briefly made the Giants’ Top 30 prospects list in 2023. His progress was hindered by Tommy John surgery in 2021, following a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Despite challenges, the right-hander made his Major League debut in 2023, albeit with some struggles, posting a 4.68 ERA in nine games and five starts. Nonetheless, he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster this season.
Winn has seized the opportunity, showcasing a 3.18 ERA through six starts and indicating potential longevity in the rotation with his recent impressive outings, allowing only three earned runs over 18 innings pitched.
Grant Brisbee of The Athletic believes Winn could become a cornerstone for San Francisco based on his early career command, fastball velocity, and formidable splitter.
While Winn shows promise, there’s still room for improvement. He’s refining his slider, which was limited post-Tommy John surgery. Once this pitch becomes more integral to his arsenal, he could solidify his role in the Giants’ rotation moving forward.
