Blake Snell signed a two-year, $62 million contract late in the offseason.
Because he signed well into spring training, he wasn’t included on the Giants’ Opening Day roster, to give him more time to get ready and increase his pitch count.
Roughly two weeks ago, it was reported that he was at approximately 60 pitches.
While he still isn’t at a place in which he could throw close to 100 pitches for San Francisco, he should be able to cover a relatively normal pitch count on Monday night when he makes his 2024 debut.
The reigning NL Cy Young is back!
Snell will be facing the Trevor Williams and the Washington Nationals, and all eyes will be on him.
Perhaps he will be a bit rusty, but he worked hard to stay ready even before he was closing in on the Giants move.
All things considered, Snell should be fine going forward.
He is the reigning Cy Young award winner in the National League after posting a 2.25 ERA in 180 innings with the San Diego Padres in 2023.
He also struck out a whopping 234 hitters, showing his stuff is as crisp as it has ever been as he enters his thirties.
He will make for a fantastic addition to a Giants staff that already has Logan Webb, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, and other talented hurlers.
If Snell shows his 2023 form this year, the Giants might have what it takes to sneak into the playoffs and make some noise there.