The SF Giants free agent class has largely been a disappointment thus far

Starting Pitcher Jordan Hicks

So far, Jordan Hicks has looked like the steal of the offseason. The Giants signed him to a 4 year, $44 million deal this offseason with the promise that they would let him be a starter and he has shined in the role so far.

As of this writing, he has an ERA of 1.59 and a WHIP of 0.912 in 34 innings pitched. Those 34 innings have come in 6 starts so he is averaging nearly 6 innings per start which is impressive for a guy who had spent his career in the bullpen prior to this year.

Of course, it is still very early in the season. There are still very real questions about how his arm will hold up as he racks up 100-plus innings on the mound. There is definitely the potential for arm fatigue or some bumps later on down the road.

However, the early returns have been phenomenal, and he has been great to watch on the mound. His high velocity stuff is impressive and his secondary pitches have looked strong as well for the most part. It is early, but so far Hicks has been the crown jewel of the team's free agent signings and it is not particularly close.

It is a long season, though. By the end of the year we may be talking about Blake Snell being a Cy Young candidate and how Jordan Hicks fizzled out after the All-Star break. We will have to wait until the end of the year to fully appraise the team's free agent signings.