Projecting the 2020 Opening Day bullpen for the Giants

2 of 7

Giants reliever Sam Coonrod. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

RHP Sam Coonrod

San Coonrod was selected by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2014 draft and he made his MLB debut with the team last season.

The hard-throwing righty showed promise in 2019 after missing most of 2018 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 28 innings.

The 15 walks he surrendered in those 28 innings are a little concerning, as are the 20 strikeouts. One would expect him to strike out more guys with a fastball that lives in the high 90s.

If he can further develop one of his secondary pitches, it may result in more strikeouts, similar to how Hunter Strickland was able to strengthen his changeup and curveball. Let’s just hope he does not throw at anyone and start brawls like Strickland did.

Overall, Coonrod seems like a solid reliever in the making and he will get plenty of opportunities to prove as much during the 2020 season.