SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A little bit of Sunday frustration apart, right-hander Jordan Hicks likes the place he’s at this spring. Particularly when he can faucet into triple-digit warmth when he needs it.
Hicks allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings because the split-squad Giants beat the San Diego Padres at Scottsdale Stadium, 7-4, exiting within the third inning after failing to document a single out however re-entering within the fourth inning and ending his outing robust. The appropriate-hander threw 62 pitches in complete, sitting within the 95-97 mph vary and touching 100 mph on two events. Outcomes apart, Hicks feels stronger than he did at this level final spring.
“That’s 60 pitches right there and I felt like I could’ve kept going and it’s only my third start — second real start with fans and everything,” Hicks stated.
On the subject of velocity, Hicks’ splitter sat within the 88-89 mph vary on Sunday in opposition to the Padres. Final season, Hicks’ splitter clocked in at 84.3 mph. Of the 373 splitters that Hicks threw final season, solely eight had been thrown no less than 88 mph.
“I think it’s a little firmer, and that comes with everything else,” Hicks stated. “Added velo on the fastball is going to add my splitter. … That’s a healthy increase splitter velocity wise whenever I’m increasing my fastball.”
Hicks had a tremendous sufficient begin to his afternoon, tossing two environment friendly scoreless innings and dealing his manner out of hitters counts. The third inning, although, bought a bit squirrely.
The body started with back-to-back singles from Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario, neither being hit all that onerous. With runners on first and third, Hicks fired a first-pitch sinker to Connor Joe that missed inside and clocked in at 100 mph — a sudden velocity spike given Hicks was sitting within the 95-96 mph vary. Hicks’ triple-digit heater compelled pitching coach J.P. Martinez to go to Hicks on the mound to calm him down.
“I shouldn’t have let that frustrate me as much and keep moving on to the next pitch,” Hicks stated.
Hicks couldn’t dig himself out of the difficulty. Joe doubled in a run, then Hicks gifted the Padres a run on a 100 mph wild pitch. Gurriel drove in Joe with a double of his personal, Elias Días drew a stroll and that was the top of Hicks’ inning. Proper-hander Ryan Watson, a minor-league reliever, entered for Hicks and recorded three straight outs, however the harm was finished.
5 batters. Three runs. No outs.
Hicks re-entered to start the fourth inning and retired the primary two batters he confronted earlier than being faraway from the sport for good. The appropriate-hander completed his day together with his velocity in a extra manageable place, getting again all the way down to the 95-96 mph vary.
“My wrist was a little stiff. Overall, I think I’ll find the zone more in the next outing,” Hicks stated. “But that up-and-in miss was pretty consistent today.”
Roupp roughed up vs. Cubs
Proper-hander Landen Roupp has firmly entrenched himself within the competitors for the fifth spot within the Giants’ rotation, getting into Sunday having thrown 8 1/3 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts over his first three Cactus League begins. His outing in Mesa in opposition to the Chicago Cubs represented a setback.
Roupp had his worst outing of the spring because the Giants beat the Cubs 8-6, at Sloan Park, permitting 5 earned runs over 3 2/3 innings on seven hits (one residence run). Powerful begin apart, Roupp nonetheless owns a 3.75 ERA this spring with 14 strikeouts to at least one stroll over 12 innings.
Giants stage comeback in Mesa
Over in Mesa, the Giants put up a five-spot within the prime of the ninth inning to beat a three-run deficit and beat the Cubs.
All the offense derived from San Francisco’s minor leaguers. Shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, who performed 21 video games for Excessive-A Eugene final season, sliced the deficit to 6-4 with a solo residence run, then catcher Adrián Sugastey singled residence a run to chop the Cubs’ result in 6-5.
Right down to their final out, infielder Sabin Ceballos, acquired from the Braves when the Giants traded Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson to the Braves, hit a go-ahead three-run homer.
Value noting
Heliot Ramos was slotted into leadoff in opposition to the Padres, a spot within the batting order that he hit 5 occasions final season. Melvin stated that Ramos might doubtlessly bat leadoff in opposition to left-handed pitchers. Ramos reached base twice with a stroll and successful.
Outfielder Wade Meckler left the Giants’ recreation in opposition to the Cubs within the first inning after diving for Ian Happ’s line drive and faceplanting on the outfield warning monitor. Meckler was capable of stroll off beneath his personal energy and was changed by Hunter Bishop. The Giants introduced that Meckler left the sport with a gentle neck pressure and might be monitored for concussion signs.
LaMonte Wade Jr. hit his second residence run of Cactus League play through the Giants’ highway recreation in opposition to the Cubs.
Initially Revealed: March 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM PDT
