2 key SF Giants pitchers to participate in the World Baseball Classic

For a brief moment in time, two key SF Giants pitchers could be in opposing dugouts next spring. Both Logan Webb and Camilo Doval have agreed to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for the United States and the Dominican Republic, respectively.

2 key SF Giants pitchers to participate in the World Baseball Classic

Webb was announced as a participant earlier this week, whereas Héctor Gómez of Z101 Digital revealed that Doval was included on the provisional roster for the Dominican Republic. He will be in the bullpen along with former Giants lefty Wandy Peralta.

Webb and Doval have quickly emerged as some of the better pitchers in baseball, so it is a cool honor that both will get to represent their country in the WBC next spring. The WBC takes place every three years, but this will be the first tournament in six years as the 2020 WBC was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Webb put together yet another stellar season in a Giants uniform in 2022. He posted a 2.90 ERA, 3.03 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, and a 3.33 SO/W ratio in 32 starts. This included a 56.7 percent ground ball rate and a 0.51 HR/9 rate, which ranked as the foruth-best mark in baseball among qualified starting pitchers. He should have been an All-Star in my personal, but he did receive some down-ballot Cy Young votes.

The 26-year-old is set to go through arbitration for the first time this winter and he is projected to earn $4.8 million, which would be substantial raise from his 2022 salary.

He could be facing off against fellow pitcher Camilo Doval of the Dominican Republic. Doval has quickly and quietly emerged as one of the top relievers in baseball. It helps that he flashes a sinker that sits comfortably in the high 90's along with a devastating slider.

The 25-year-old hurler recorded a 2.53 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, and a 2.67 SO/W ratio in 68 appearances. This included a 27 saves in 30 opportunities.

Doval brings a calmness to the ninth inning that you do not normally see from relievers, especially from ones as young as he is. Giants fans are used to the torture that comes with saving games, but Doval's approach is a relaxing change of pace.

The 2022 season was disappointing in a lot of ways, but Webb and Doval solidifying themselves as some of the top, young pitchers in baseball was not one of them. They will briefly be opponents next March before returning to the Giants to finish out spring training.