SF Giants: The 3 biggest disappointments from the first half of 2022

At 48-43, the SF Giants are comfortably in the playoff picture. However, it feels like they could have a better record after some frustrating games. What were three of the biggest disappointments from the first half of 2022?

SF Giants: The 3 biggest disappointments from the first half of 2022

It has been said before but it bears repeating. The Giants were not going to win 107 games like they did last season. That said, fans had expectations of a playoff team heading into this season.

The front office rebuilt the rotation and worked to bolster the lineup by reeling in outfielder Joc Pederson on a one-year, $6 million pact. However, many fans wanted the Giants to make a bigger splash, especially considering that they are currently sitting approximately $55 million below the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT).

It felt like San Francisco did enough to keep the team competitive but they have regressed in many ways compared to last season.

1. The bullpen

The Giants bullpen posted a 2.99 ERA in 2021, which was the best mark in baseball. They bet on continuity and that is often a losing proposition given how volatile relievers can be.

During the championship run, the Giants relied heavily on a core of relievers including Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Javier López. That type of stability is the exception, not the rule.

Many of the same Giants reliever from last year are not performing at nearly the same level as last season. Jake McGee, Tyler Rogers, and José Álvarez have struggled badly in 2022. McGee struggled to the tune of a 7.17 ERA in 24 appearances before being designated for assignment, whereas Álvarez posted a 5.28 ERA before hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation.

It has not been the same bullpen as it has posted a 4.19 ERA in 2022, which ranks as the eighth-worst mark in baseball. On the bright side, both Camilo Doval and John Brebbia have had strong seasons while Jarlín García
continues to be an effective option.

SF Giants: The 3 biggest disappointments from the first half of 2022

2. The defense

Similar to the bullpen, the Giants had a strong defense in 2021. However, nearly every defender has regressed substantially this season. There have been many games where the defense was the difference between a win and a loss.

A lot of the focus has been on the infield defense, but they have been bad across the board. The infielders receive a lot of attention as Giants pitchers have induced a ground ball in 48.3 percent of batted ball events. This means that the team's success is due in part to converting ground balls into outs.

That just has not happened as the Giants have the fourth-highest BABIP at .306. Giants pitchers have tallied a 3.38 FIP, which leads baseball. However, the 3.84 ERA is closer to the middle of the pack and poor defense contributes to the gap between those two metrics.

Anyone can see this based on the eye test, but the defensive metrics agree. The Giants defense has been -29 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -29 Outs Above Average (OAA). Regardless of the metric, they are one of the worst teams with the glove.

They may try to address the defense at the trade deadline, but this is part of their identity. It is not something that they will be able to fix overnight. It is a concerning trend to monitor as the season progresses and likely one that limits any potential they might have in the playoffs.