Potential shift in MLB's San Francisco Giants' pitching staff: Contemplating a significant overhaul in starting rotation
It looks like Jordan Hicks, the big-ticket acquisition by the San Francisco Giants last year, is facing a setback. After a not-so-stellar stint as a mid-rotation starter, the team is giving some serious thought to packing him off to the bullpen, as per reports from the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser.
Is Hicks Headed for the Bullpen Road?
The exact role Hicks would assume as a bullpen guy is still up in the air. But with Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison already providing solid relief performances, the picture seems pretty clear.
Meanwhile, the MLB world was left scratching their heads as Wilmer Flores tied Aaron Judge for the RBI lead in a massive night against the Athletics. There were also some laughs when Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks decided to give it back to the umps after getting thrown out. And let's not forget, Diamondbacks vs. Giants prediction, odds, and picks for May 14th, 2025.
Hicks has had a rocky ride as a starter this year. In nine starts, he's got an ERA of 6.55, a 1.52 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in just over 45 innings. It looks like his struggles as a starter haven't been unique to this season. Last year, in 109.2 innings, he posted a dismal 4.10 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, with just 96 strikeouts[1]. Compared to his 59 ERA+ this season, last year seems like a walk in the park.
The Giants, on the other hand, have been getting some fantastic pitching from Logan Webb and Robbie Ray this season. With a record of 25-19 and sitting just four games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, it seems they're making all the right moves.
[1] Source: https://www.fangraphs.com/player/jordan-hicks/1681286100[2] Source: https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/13/giants-considering-removing-struggling-talkative-jordan-hicks-from-starting-rotation/[3] Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/giants-big-offseason-addition-jordan-hicks-returns-relief-role-after-struggling-rotation
- The growing rumors suggest that Jordan Hicks, struggling as a starter, might switch to the bullpen, with the odds leaning towards this change due to the solid performances of Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison.
- In the MLB world, there's been a flurry of excitement as Wilmer Flores ties the RBI lead with Aaron Judge, while Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks adds some humor with his reactions to the umpires.
- Despite Jordan Hicks' rocky stint as a starter for the San Francisco Giants this season and the previous one, the team appears to be on the right track, with impressive pitching performances from Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, helping them stay competitive in the NL West.
