The San Francisco Giants are set to promote their top pitching prospect, Carson Whisenhunt, for his Major League debut on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park. This announcement was confirmed by Manager Bob Melvin following the team’s recent 5-3 loss to the New York Mets, marking their ninth defeat in the last 11 games and pushing their record to 54-52, leaving them three games behind the Padres for the last National League Wild Card spot.
Whisenhunt, a 24-year-old left-handed pitcher, is the Giants’ No. 3 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He will take the rotation spot of Landen Roupp, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. The Giants have also recently demoted Hayden Birdsong, which has led to an increased reliance on bullpen games to cover innings.
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft from East Carolina, Whisenhunt has had a solid season at Triple-A Sacramento, boasting an 8-5 record with a 4.42 ERA over 97 2/3 innings. He has struck out 86 batters while allowing 28 walks and holds a 1.33 WHIP, the second-best mark among Sacramento pitchers, trailing only Mason Black. Notably, he leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA among qualified pitchers with over 18 starts.
Whisenhunt’s pitching repertoire includes a two-seam fastball clocking in at 92-94 mph and a low-80s slider, but his standout pitch is a 70-grade changeup, which generated an impressive 47% swing-and-miss rate in Triple-A last season. However, there are concerns regarding the consistency of his fastball and the development of his slider, which will be critical for determining whether he remains a starter or transitions to a bullpen role.
Whisenhunt’s potential had been hinted at when the Giants scratched him from a scheduled Triple-A start over the weekend, indicating a call-up was imminent. He joined the team on Sunday as part of the taxi squad, and the Giants are expected to make the necessary roster adjustments prior to his debut.
The Giants are hopeful that Whisenhunt can deliver a strong performance, especially with the bullpen having been heavily used in a previous game, and aim for him to pitch at least five innings. Carson Seymour, who hasn’t pitched since Tuesday, is anticipated to be available as a reliever should the need arise.
The debut of Carson Whisenhunt is seen as a bright spot for the Giants, offering a beacon of hope amidst a challenging season. His performance may play a crucial role in the team’s push for postseason contention.