Best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s: 31. Yusmeiro Petit

A valuable swingman who filled a number of roles on the San Francisco Giants pitching staff, Yusmeiro Petit was lights out during the 2014 postseason.

The San Francisco Giants added Yusmeiro Petit on a minor league contract prior to the 2012 season, with the limited expectations that come with signing a career journeyman.

Originally signed by the New York Mets back in 2001, Petit spent time with the Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners before finding a home in San Francisco.

In 229.1 innings of work at the MLB level prior to joining the Giants, he posted a forgettable 5.57 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 36 starts and 35 relief appearances.

He made his San Francisco Giants debut on Sept. 23, 2012, in the form of a spot start while the club was resting its normal starters. He allowed seven hits and two earned runs in 4.2 innings in a no-decision.

The bulk of the following season was spent in Triple-A, but he did make seven starts and one relief appearances while posting a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 48 innings. On Sept. 6 of that year, he lost a complete game with two outs in the ninth inning before finishing up a one-hit shutout against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He became a staple of the pitching staff the next year, racking up 117 innings of work in 12 starts and 27 relief appearances. He posted a solid 3.69 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 133 strikeouts for a 10.2 K/9 rate.

He also retired 46 consecutive batters during the 2014 season to set an MLB record.

The success continued in the playoffs that year, as he made four multi-inning appearances and posted a 1.42 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 12.2 innings while recording three wins.

He was used almost exclusively in a relief role the following season, logging a 3.67 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 76 innings over 41 relief appearances and one spot start.

He departed in free agency following the 2015 season and he’s spent time with the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics in the four years since. He has a 3.07 ERA with 25 holds in 66 appearances as a key cog in the Oakland bullpen this year.

Check back here regularly as we count down the 50 best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s.