SCOTTSDALE — When Justin Verlander was trying to decide whether to wear the number 35 — the same number that Brandon Crawford donned in San Francisco for more than a decade — he kept thinking back to a conversation he had with Buster Posey.
During negotiations, Posey posed a question to Verlander: “Wouldn’t it be something if you could win your 300th game in a Giants uniform?” Verlander, sitting on 262 career wins, couldn’t shake the vision. When he pondered a reality where he achieved the milestone, Verlander couldn’t visualize a scenario where he wasn’t wearing his familiar digits.
“If that happens, I can’t see myself wearing any other number than 35,” Verlander said. “So, that was kind of the thing that triggered it for me.”
Before officially selecting the number, Verlander had a formal conversation with Crawford to receive Crawford’s blessing. Posey reached out to Crawford on Verlander’s behalf when Verlander signed a one-year, $17 million deal, but Verlander wanted to have a proper chat with Crawford prior to making a decision.
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Verlander said he had a “great conversation” with Crawford, one where they both shared what the number meant to one another. Growing up, Verlander’s favorite player was Frank Thomas, who also wore 35 for nearly his entire major-league career (Thomas went 1-for-7 against Verlander in his career with two walks and a strikeout). Verlander shared that his wife, Kate Upton, created a split jersey featuring both Thomas and Verlander’s last name that the Hall of Fame slugger signed.
“I very much respect Brandon, the organization and what he was able to accomplish here,” Verlander said. “I just wanted to make sure I went about it the right way.”
Verlander, like Thomas, has carved out a Hall of Fame career of his own with the 35 on his back, his list of accomplishments featuring an MVP, two World Series titles and three Cy Young Awards. As he prepares for his first season in San Francisco — and his 20th season overall — Verlander is optimistic that he can continue adding to his résumé.
Neck and shoulder injuries plagued Verlander during his final season with the Houston Astros, a pair of ailments that contributed to a career-worst 5.48 ERA over 90 1/3 innings. The neck issue, in particular, had bubbled under the surface for several years and was not properly addressed until he landed on the injured list.
This spring, by contrast, Verlander, who will be 42 on Opening Day, feels “the best I’ve felt in the last few years.” The right-hander assessed that he’s moving more fluidly and more freely compared to last season, noting that his mechanical issues were a product of his body’s inability to properly function. According to Verlander, the last time he had a healthy ramp up was 2022 — the year he won his third Cy Young Award.
“When I was trying to fix these mechanical issues, it was almost impossible for me to because my body was holding me back,” Verlander said. “Now that I’m moving more the way I want, I’m excited to see how that translates to the mound. The benefits that I’ve seen in my bullpen sessions have been phenomenal. So, I’m the most optimistic I’ve been in a few years.”
Added manager Bob Melvin: “Just watching some of the video this spring, he looks like pretty much the same guy. You look at all the internal numbers — the vert and the velos and stuff like that — during bullpens and it’s all been really good. I know last year, he had some neck and shoulder stuff that bothered him. He feels fully healthy right now. He’s just one of those guys that defies Father Time and has done it for a long time.”
Worth noting
Verlander, Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks are set to occupy four spots in San Francisco’s starting rotation, but there will be competition for the fifth and final spot. Left-hander Kyle Harrison (4.56 ERA, 124 1/3 innings) and right-hander Hayden Birdsong (4.75 ERA, 72 innings) are currently the front-runners to land the job.
Ryan Walker will serve as the Giants’ closer in 2025 following his breakout performance last season. Over 80 innings, Walker posted a 1.91 ERA with 99 strikeouts to 18 walks.
Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and catcher Tom Murphy, who played a combined 50 games last year due to injury, will be full-go during camp.
The majority of reps at designated hitter will likely go to Wilmer Flores and Jerar Encarnacion.
