Drew Pomeranz to Giants

January 23, 2019: The San Francisco Giants & Drew Pomeranz agree to a 1-year deal.

Contract Details

$1.5 million base with incentives (opening day bonus, active roster days, innings pitches, games started) adding an extra $3.5 million possible.

Scouting Report/History

Drew Pomeranz is a former 1st round, 5th pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2010 draft. Since then, he has been traded to the Rockies (2011-2013), where he posted a 5.20 ERA / 4.78 FIP with a 1.2 HR/9, 4.6 BB/9, & 7.6 K/9, to the A's (2014-2015) , where he posted a 3.08 ERA / 3.69 FIP with a 0.9 HR/9, 3.3 BB/9, & 8.5 K/9, to the Padres (2016), where he posted a 3.32 ERA / 3.80 FIP with a 1.2 HR/9, 3.4 BB/9, & 9.8 K/9, to the Red Sox (2017), where he posted a 3.32 ERA / 3.84 FIP with a 1.0 HR/9, 3.6 BB/9, & 9.0 K/9 in 2017. According to Alex Pavlovic, Pomeranz's 3.32 ERA in 63 games from 2016-2017 was the 6th best among lefty pitchers(Kershaw,Hill,Bumgarner,Wood,Sale).

In 2018, Pomeranz suffered a couple of injuries, left forearm flexor strain & left bicep tendonitis, that led to a derailed season in which he posted an abysmal 6.08 ERA with a 1.5 HR/9, 5.4 BB/9, & 8.0 K/9. These injuries are the likely cause of a decrease in fastball velocity from 92 mph in 2017 to 89.5. However, according to BaseballSavant, Pomeranz still has an above average spin rate on his fastball (2,300 RPM). In a Driveline Baseball study, it has been proven that a higher spin rate fastball tends to create more swing & miss than average spin rate.

Thoughts

I support this acquisition because it is a low risk ( 1 year, $1.5 million base), high reward (top 6 LHP from 2016-2017) signing. The starting pitcher squad in San Francisco now consists of Madison Bumgarner, Derek Rodriguez, Andrew Suarez, Jeff Samardzija, Derek Holland, Chris Stratton, Ty Blach, & Drew Pomeranz. In this era of modern baseball, it is essential to have atleast 7-8 starting pitchers to create depth for inevitable injuries.

I am looking at 2019 as a year of transition, a year that is going to be used to buy time for our top prospects (Shaun Anderson, Joey Bart, Heliot Ramos, etc.). I suspect the Giants will be very active during this year's trade deadline (Bumgarner?!) making Drew Pomeranz a great trade piece since he will be pitching his home games at the spacious Oracle Park (ugh) which will allow him to have a rebound year. As long as his previous injuries don't persist and he regains fastball velocity, he will bring back a decent prospect who can contribute to the team's success in 2020 and beyond.