Another trait that many of the SF Giants pitching additions share in common

The SF Giants have cornered the market on ground ball pitchers, but that is not the only trait they seemingly covet with pitchers. Nearly all of their pitching additions this offseason have also demonstrated above-average extension.

Another trait that many of the SF Giants pitching additions share in common

Think of extension as the point in which the pitcher releases the ball. Taller pitchers typically generate above-average extension because when they release the ball, it is closer to the plate.

While that is a rule of thumb, that is not always the case. It would have been interesting to see what type of extension Tim Lincecum and his 5-foot-11 frame generated. He was so flexible and typically stretched far down the mound before he released the ball. Those were the good 'ol days.

Why is extension important? When you talk about a fastball that plays up, this is one of the qualities. Above-average extension usually bumps up the perceived velocity of a fastball. If a pitcher throws a low-90's fastball, but generates good extension, the perceived velocity might be a few ticks more in the eyes of the hitter.

That extra perceived velocity could be the difference between barreling the ball up or hitting it straight into the ground.

Spring training is still over a month away. The Giants have likely rounded out the rotation, with the additions of Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle. They could still leave room open for a pitcher returning from injury who could help them in the second half of the year. That would help cover some volume gaps with the current group.

The bullpen still looks like a work in progress. That unit is usually pretty fluid, so the Giants could make a few more additions before spring training gets underway. That could be a combination of major league or minor league deals.

If you are looking at who they might still add, then above-average extension, along with high ground ball rates, might not be a bad starting point. They have only made a handful of additions so far on the pitching side, but in nearly every case, the pitcher gets good extension:

• 1. Tyler Mahle: 6.6 feet
• 2. Adrian Houser: 6.8 feet
• 3. Sam Hentges: 7.0 feet
• Jason Foley: 6.6 feet
• Gregory Santos: 6.6 feet (in 2023)
• Caleb Kilian: 7.0 feet (in 2024)

It is hard to use these numbers without a baseline, and Baseball Savant does a great job of providing that. Anything above 6.5 feet is typically considered above average. Anything above 6.8 feet puts pitchers in the 80th percentile or greater, which is borderline elite in that category.

The one notable exception this offseason is Reiver Sanmartin, who generated 6.4 feet of extension in 2023. That is considered below average. That said, Sanmartin has one of the highest ground ball rates in the Giants organization at 53.6 percent, so he checks off that other box.

So, the Giants might have a "type" when it comes to pitchers. They likely those who get a lot of ground balls and demonstrate above-average extension. Yes, the offseason has been a slow one, so there has not been much to talk about. The good news is that spring training is not too far away.