SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Logan Webb knew he’d be the San Francisco Giants’ Opening Day starter long before his first Cactus League start. For Webb, spring training at this point in his career is less about performance and more about preparation. That freedom, then, affords Webb the opportunity to experiment.
Webb tossed two perfect innings with a strikeout as the Giants defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium, but more than the results, the true intrigue of the right-hander’s first start of spring training lies in his footwork.
“Who knows? It might be different next week,” Webb said. “For now, it feels pretty good.”
Last season, Webb kept his back foot stationary out of the windup. This spring, by contrast, Webb has been experimenting with pivoting his back foot instead of keeping it planted. Notice how Webb barely moves his back foot:
In Webb’s first inning, he used the old method, keeping his back foot stationary. Webb didn’t like how that felt despite good results, so he pivoted back to the new method in the second inning. Webb said he implemented the change on his own to get into his back legs. He tried out the concept of moving his back foot a couple years ago, but scrapped the plan following a bad outing.
Webb said he feels the change can help him move down the mound better and get out of bad patterns mechanically. In Webb’s assessment, when his back foot was stationary, there were times when he’d get “stuck,” which could lead to him being “out of whack.” If he’s moving, by contrast, he gains more momentum and his timing is in a better place. When Webb’s mechanics are right, he believes the velocity on his sinker will be closer to the mid-90s than the low-90s.
Along with the modified delivery, Webb plans to incorporate more cutters and discussed his desire to adjust the shape of his changeup, a pitch that was elite in ‘23 but below average in ‘24. Webb isn’t resting on his laurels despite finishing sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting last season, and more experimentation could be in store in the coming weeks.
“I think that’s something to continue to keep working on,” Webb said. “I’m never going to be perfect with it, but keep tinkering with it. I think that’s what spring is for, these bullpens. The second inning felt really good.”
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Along with Webb, Hayden Birdsong, one of several starters in competition for the rotation’s fifth spot, has made a subtle adjustment as well.
After pitching on the first-base side of the rubber last year, Birdsong plans to pitch on the third-base side this year. Pitching coach J.P. Martinez suggested the change to Birdsong, and right-hander Justin Verlander provided additional feedback. In his first outing on the third-base side, Birdsong allowed one run over two innings, striking out three batters and inducing nine whiffs.
So far this spring, Birdsong has had four opportunities to pitch off the right side of the rubber: two side sessions, one live bullpen and Sunday’s game. The right-hander said the transition has been “a little weird” but said the change will help his slider.
Birdsong’s transition from the first-base side to the third-base side was subtle, but the velocity he was posting on Sunday against the Reds’ hitters was anything but. The 23-year-old peaked as high as 98.86 mph on Sunday, according to Scottsdale Stadium’s radar gun, and sat in the mid-to-high 90s with his fastball. That velocity is impressive on its own, but especially given that the calendar has yet to flip to March. For comparison, Birdsong threw five pitches that hit at least 98 mph in 2024, topping out 98.4 mph.
“There’s a plan: to throw hard, you gotta throw hard,” Birdsong said. “I feel like at some point, I’m going to have to be where I’m at right now no matter what.”
Worth noting
Adames, who signed a franchise-record $182 million contract this offseason, reached base twice in three plate appearances, hitting a single and drawing a walk. Adames will start at shortstop on Monday against the Rockies alongside Matt Chapman as Justin Verlander takes the mound. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow to play with Chappy,” Adames said with a smile.
After hitting a 450-foot homer against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, top prospect Bryce Eldridge blooped a single into left field in his lone at-bat of the game. Patrick Bailey homered in his first start of Cactus League play.
