[Giants]

In spring training, Yamamoto is the #37 ranked Dodger pitcher with a 8.38 ERA in three starts. He pitched 9 2/3 innings, gave up 15 hits, four walks and nine earned runs. He struck out 14, so he's not incapable. Batters are hitting .357 against him, his WHIP was 1.97, ranked #35 on the club. Yamamoto's spring training WHIP would rank #24 on the Giants and his ERA would rank #29.

But spring training numbers are meaningless, so I'm sure Yamamoto will be fine.

In the regular season, Yamamoto's ERA is 45.00, with 5 earned runs, four hits, a walk, a hit batsman and two strikeouts. It's the most runs given up by a Dodgers debut starter in club history. After Yamamoto pitched, the Dodgers had three errors and LA pitchers gave up 17 hits, six walks and hit three batters. To be fair, Yamamoto is likely still getting used to the schedule, the pitch clock and a slightly different baseball (which provides a worse natural grip, according to pitchers who have used both). And the Dodgers did score 11 runs, losing 15-11.

Early season numbers are not terribly meaningful, so I'm sure Yamamoto will be fine.

At the same time, while I wish we got Ohtani, I'm glad we got Snell. And Hicks. And Ray. And Lee. And Soler. And Chapman. And yes, even the spray-armed Murphy, who had a walkoff hit in the Giants' 5-4 victory over the White Sox.

I’m still not convinced that Snell will be “the guy”.  Of course, I would be happy to be reminded of my skepticism if he pitches as well as he did last season.  

After last year’s excitement about the players they signed, I am reluctant to get too enthused about this year’s crop.  The 2023 group was a disaster (note: full credit to Zaidi for acknowledging his screw-up and getting rid of most of them).  Before embracing this year’s bunch as a group that will lead the team to a playoff spot, I want to see some positive results.  By Memorial Day, we should have a clear idea whether the 2024 class is populated by difference-makers. 

I have S.F. as an 84 win team.  That puts them on the cusp of the playoffs and falls within the 5-7 game improvement over last year that I suggested at the time of Melvin’s hiring.

[Giants]

In spring training, Yamamoto is the #37 ranked Dodger pitcher with a 8.38 ERA in three starts. He pitched 9 2/3 innings, gave up 15 hits, four walks and nine earned runs. He struck out 14, so he's not incapable. Batters are hitting .357 against him, his WHIP was 1.97, ranked #35 on the club. Yamamoto's spring training WHIP would rank #24 on the Giants and his ERA would rank #29.

But spring training numbers are meaningless, so I'm sure Yamamoto will be fine.

In the regular season, Yamamoto's ERA is 45.00, with 5 earned runs, four hits, a walk, a hit batsman and two strikeouts. It's the most runs given up by a Dodgers debut starter in club history. After Yamamoto pitched, the Dodgers had three errors and LA pitchers gave up 17 hits, six walks and hit three batters. To be fair, Yamamoto is likely still getting used to the schedule, the pitch clock and a slightly different baseball (which provides a worse natural grip, according to pitchers who have used both). And the Dodgers did score 11 runs, losing 15-11.

Early season numbers are not terribly meaningful, so I'm sure Yamamoto will be fine.

At the same time, while I wish we got Ohtani, I'm glad we got Snell. And Hicks. And Ray. And Lee. And Soler. And Chapman. And yes, even the spray-armed Murphy, who had a walkoff hit in the Giants' 5-4 victory over the White Sox.

I’m still not convinced that Snell will be “the guy”.  Of course, I would be happy to be reminded of my skepticism if he pitches as well as he did last season.  

After last year’s excitement about the players they signed, I am reluctant to get too enthused about this year’s crop.  The 2023 group was a disaster (note: full credit to Zaidi for acknowledging his screw-up and getting rid of most of them).  Before embracing this year’s bunch as a group that will lead the team to a playoff spot, I want to see some positive results.  By Memorial Day, we should have a clear idea whether the 2024 class is populated by difference-makers. 

I have S.F. as an 84 win team.  That puts them on the cusp of the playoffs and falls within the 5-7 game improvement over last year that I suggested at the time of Melvin’s hiring.