Is it time for the SF Giants to make a change at closer?

Camilo Doval recorded the save for the SF Giants on Wednesday to preserve a 7-4 victory. It was not a clean inning whatsoever and continues a trend of subpar production from the Giants closer. Is it time for manager Bob Melvin to make a change?

Is it time for the SF Giants to make a change at closer?

Despite coming in with a three-run lead, Doval loaded the bases and even allowed the potential winning run up to the plate. He was able to escape the jam with a double play groundout from Washington Nationals outfielder Alex Call to end the game.

In fairness, it is tough for some relievers to come into the game when it is not necessarily close. Some even thrive on pitching in a tight game.

However, the poor control that has plagued Doval for much of the season was evident again on Wednesday night. He hit the first batter of the inning, allowed a single to Jacob Young on a missed location that caught the middle of the plate, and walked another hitter to load the bases.

This has become the Doval experience for much of the season. For what it is worth, the hard-throwing reliever has not been bad at converting saves. He has recorded 22 saves in 27 opportunities in 2024. That is not a bad rate.

It is not even about the saves, but how he has looked doing it. Doval has been stuck in a prolonged slump on the mound, posting a 5.75 ERA over his last 20.1 innings.

Of course, the walk rate (5.7 BB/9) has spiked while the strikeout rate (11.7 K/9) remains healthy. It is not just the walks that are concerning. That is normally one of the indicators when looking at a pitcher's control or lack thereof.

It is also the missed locations that happen every appearance. The catcher sets up on the outer half and Doval throws a pitch that gets too much of the middle of the plate. Sometimes, the hitter takes advantage of it. Other times, they do not. It helps when you throw 100 MPH because the margin for error is relatively high when it comes to missed locations.

Do the Giants have any closer alternatives? Jordan Hicks feels like a viable candidate. Though, he feels a bit too similar to Doval as a hard-throwing reliever with below-average control. Plus, the Giants may want to be cautious with his workload for the remainder of the year given that he is already at a career-high in innings pitched (103.2).

On the other hand, Ryan Walker seems like a legitimate candidate. The 28-year-old reliever has registered a 2.28 ERA in 58 appearances this season while being one of the workhorse relievers in the Giants bullpen. He does not throw as hard as either Doval or Hicks, but the sidestep delivery adds a level of deception that is tough on opposing hitters.

If the Giants were to make a change at closer and it is a conversation they are likely considering now more than they were two months ago, Walker feels like the obvious replacement.