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Best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s: 11. Santiago Casilla

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Santiago Casilla #46 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after getting the final out in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Four of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 15, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 15: Santiago Casilla #46 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after getting the final out in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game Four of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 15, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Reliever Santiago Casilla was part of the “Core Four” that anchored the San Francisco Giants during their three World Series titles.

The San Francisco Giants signed Santiago Casilla to a minor league contract on Jan. 2, 2010, after he was non-tended by the Oakland Athletics.

During his six seasons in Oakland, he posted a 5.11 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 152 appearances, including a 5.96 ERA over 46 games in 2009.

Entering his age-29 season, he was a buy-low depth pickup who was a longshot to even make the 25-man roster.

After opening the 2010 season at Triple-A, he made his San Francisco Giants debut on May 21, and he wasted little time becoming an integral part of the club’s relief corps.

In 52 appearances, he logged a 1.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 with two saves and 11 holds. That was just the start of an extremely productive career with the Giants.

  • 2010: 52 G, 2 SV, 11 HLD, 1.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
  • 2011: 49 G, 6 SV, 6 HLD, 1.74 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
  • 2012: 73 G, 25 SV, 12 HLD, 2.84 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
  • 2013: 57 G, 2 SV, 22 HLD, 2.16 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
  • 2014: 54 G, 19 SV, 10 HLD, 1.70 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
  • 2015: 67 G, 38 SV, 0 HLD, 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
  • 2016: 62 G, 31 SV, 3 HLD, 3.57 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

His performance during the postseason only furthered his case as one of the best Giants players of the decade.

In 25 playoff outings, he posted a pristine 0.92 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 with four saves and four holds in 19.2 innings. He was the team’s closer in 2014, converting all four of his save chances while logging 7.1 scoreless innings.

He departed after the 2016 season to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Oakland Athletics, after earning roughly $24.5 million in his seven seasons in San Francisco.

All told, he made 242 appearances during his time with the San Francisco Giants, logging a 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 8.3 K/9 while finishing sixth in franchise history with 123 saves.

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

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