Pair of SF Giants veterans reach important milestone in final week of the year

In the final week of the season, a pair of SF Giants veterans reached some important durability milestones. Logan Webb reached 200 innings for the second straight year, whereas Matt Chapman appeared in his 150th game.

Pair of SF Giants veterans reach important milestone in final week of the year

Webb finished the year with 204.1 innings pitched, edging out Zack Wheeler (200 innings) for the lead in that category. The Giants ace surpassed the 200-inning mark for the second straight year and has made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons.

Overall, the 2024 All-Star pitched to a 3.47 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, and a 3.44 SO/W rate this season. This includes a 56.8 percent ground ball rate, which was the fourth-best mark among qualified pitchers.

Perhaps, the numbers do not jump off of the page quite like they did last season. After all, Webb posted a 3.25 ERA while leading baseball with 216 innings pitched and finishing in second place in the NL Cy Young voting. However, his 2.95 FIP in 2024 is his best mark since 2021 and that is a number that will stick out with the end-of-the-year voters.

This is not to say that Webb will merit serious Cy Young consideration this year. He will not but he should receive some down-ballot votes while receiving some consideration for all-MLB honors.

While pitchers are not expected to carry as much of a workload anymore, Webb has become something of a unicorn in that regard. He takes the hill every fifth day, pitches deep into games, and gives his team a chance to win each time out. That holds value.

On the other hand, Chapman reached 150 games played for the fourth time in his career and also the fourth time in the last five full seasons. Durability is one of the many ways in which the veteran third baseman brings value to the table. He is in the lineup on a daily basis and contributes to winning in a few different ways.

Playing in 150 games may not hold the same appeal as completing 200 innings, but it is a hallmark of durability. Really, anything above 140 games is a full workload in my book. Of course, a full workload for a catcher is a much different number.

Chapman only missed eight games this season. Four of those games took place in September while he was either signing his six-year extension or on paternity leave. The eight-year veteran has generally found ways to avoid the injured list and the 2024 season was no different.

With the season coming to a close for the Giants, both Webb and Chapman can take a much-deserved break after long and productive seasons.