Hunter Strickland has come a long way since the 2014 playoffs.
While Strickland made his debut for the Giants in August 2014, his first impressionable stamp occurred in that year’s NLDS against Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals. Needless to say, it did not go well.
Neither did the rest of Strickland’s postseason experience, actually. In eight appearances he gave up six home runs, including two to Harper. And who could forget the shouting match between Strickland and Salvador Perez during Game 2 of the World Series? It wasn’t a good look for a rookie pitcher and it flashed multiple warning signs about the young right-hander.
But he lacked maturity then. And while he still may not be there completely (cue the Harper brawl from this season), his steady appearances as of late show that he’s on his way.
Hunter Strickland has always had good stuff. It’s the main reason the Giants called him up in 2014 — his potential as a young, flame-throwing pitcher was promising at a time where an experienced veteran bullpen was beginning to show its age. However, Strickland relied on his heat too often and challenged hitters when he thought he could get away with it. Spoiler alert: he couldn’t.
His confidence may have wavered at times but Strickland never stopped going after guys. It’s an admirable trait, one that may explain why he’s actually been pretty good this season. In fact, he’s been the Giants most reliable reliever in the first half.
Let that sink in. The guy that once made you groan whenever he warmed up in the bullpen is now carrying the majority of the relievers.
Strickland has had impressive control and a strong command in 2017, a vast difference from years before. In 35 appearances this season, Strickland holds a 2.08 ERA over 30.1 innings and 32 strikeouts. Only Corey Gearrin has a lower ERA at 2.04. The Giants combined bullpen ERA sits at 4.22 for some perspective.
Strickland’s walk count is high (18) and he’ll give up the occasional hit, but his low ERA demonstrates his ability to get out of pressing situations and limit the damage. He’s also given up just one home run, a vast difference from the Strickland that Giants fans were introduced to three years ago. He’s slowed down and approached hitters more methodically, reducing his reliability on his fastball. That has in turn increased his reliability with Bruce Bochy, as Strickland is surely but steady turning into Bochy’s durable go-to guy in the ‘pen.
Strickland leads the team in holds with eight and only Kontos has more appearances than Strickland on the year with 39. And while recent acquisition Sam Dyson has shown signs of turning his season around for the Giants, Strickland has been quietly holding down the fort since April. With Melancon on the DL and Dyson at interim closer, Strickland has owned the 8th inning role as well. During the Giants six-game win streak last week, he appeared in three games, striking out three over 2.1 innings. He also picked up his first save on the year and didn’t allow a run. That kind of performance has been constant for Strickland throughout the first half.
For whatever reason, Strickland’s positive performances have slid under the radar in a mostly negative 2017. Maybe (probably) it’s due to Giants fans general disapproval toward him. But he’s slowly developing into the consistent, durable reliever that he’d shown promise of being. Love him or hate him, he’s worked hard at his craft and forced Giants management to extend him a longer leash, even if at times he doesn’t deserve one.
But what he does deserve is at least some recognition.