3 SF Giants who could lose their 40-man roster spot

3 SF Giants who could lose their 40-man roster spot
3. Wandy Peralta

Like Davis, I get the sense I remain higher on Wandy Peralta than the Giants’ front office. Peralta is a unique reliever with a legitimate three-pitch mix and plus slider. However, inconsistent command and a fastball that plays below its mid-90s velocity have prevented him from becoming a high-leverage option. Now in a crowded bullpen mix, Peralta needed a strong spring to solidify his spot in the bullpen.

Instead, while players like Tropeano, Bracho, Leone, and many other holdovers from last year’s pitching staff performed well, Peralta has posted an 8.53 ERA across seven appearances. While Peralta has struck out 10 batters against just three walks, opponents have consistently squared him up, blasting two home runs and 10 hits. Peralta’s ERA could easily be even worse, but three of his nine runs allowed are unearned.

Peralta seems like an obvious victim of small-sample size bad luck. His opponents’ BABIP is .444, and his groundout-to-air out rate is 4.00, suggesting an unsustainable amount of fly balls against him are landing in the outfield. Still, another factor could be working against Peralta: he’s a southpaw.

Lefties Jake McGee, Sam Selman, and Jarlin Garcia all seem more firmly entrenched in the bullpen, and the majority of the organization’s depth options (Conner Menez, Caleb Baragar, Kazmir, and Anthony Banda) are southpaws as well. The Giants front office was willing to dedicate a disproportionate amount of roster spots to left-handed pitchers last season, but with a deeper and more balanced pen, that might no longer be the case.

Peralta was a solid middle reliever in San Francisco last season and seemed to find a sweet spot as a long reliever late in the season. However, without experience as a starter, like Tropeano, Baragar, Menez, or Banda, or the high-leverage track-record of someone like Leone, the Giants might prefer someone else in his 40-man roster spot. Again, it’s hard to imagine Peralta clearing waivers. That could open the door for a minor trade to a team with far fewer proven bullpen options.

The SF Giants have built an impressive amount of depth over Farhan Zaidi’s tenure. Consequently, it’s harder to envision the organization retaining players on their 40-man roster if they designate them for assignment. Still, it seems likely that at least one player will have to be added to the 40-man by Opening Day, which could put Darin Ruf, Jaylin Davis, or Wandy Peralta’s future in San Francisco at risk.