SF Giants reportedly add experienced lefty to compete for spot on Opening Day roster

The SF Giants have brought in more competition from the left side. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, southpaw pitcher Joey Lucchesi is joining the team on a minor league deal with a camp invite.

SF Giants reportedly add experienced lefty to compete for spot on Opening Day roster

Heyman adds that Lucchesi is set to receive $1.5 million if he makes the roster. There is a good chance that the Giants will have some competition among left-handed pitchers in camp.

At this point, the only left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster are Erik Miller and Taylor Rogers. Miller became Bob Melvin's go-to lefty out of the bullpen in 2024 and looks to return to that role this season.

The young pitcher posted a 3.88 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, and a 2.29 SO/W rate across 67.1 innings with San Francisco. He did struggle late in the year as he dealt with fatigue but it was a promising first year for Miller.

On the other hand, Rogers recorded a solid 2.40 ERA in 60 innings with the Giants in 2024. While that is a strong mark, he was rarely used in leverage spots and even struggled against left-handed hitters, which is the role the Giants were hoping he would fill.

Lucchesi now joins Ethan Small, Raymond Burgos, Enny Romero, and Antonio Jimenez as left-handed pitchers who have joined the organization on non-guaranteed deals this winter. For Lucchesi, it is a low-risk addition that has modest upside.

The six-year veteran put together a couple of nice seasons with the San Diego Padres earlier in his career. He tallied a respectable 4.14 ERA in 56 starts through his first two years. However, he has dealt with injuries since then. This includes undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021.

Lucchesi missed the entire 2022 but responded with a 2.89 ERA across 46.2 innings with the New York Mets in 2023. He pitched primarily in Triple-A last season but finished the year by limiting the Atlanta Braves to just one earned run in six innings in a 3-0 loss. The Mets outrighted him off of the 40-man roster where he elected free agency.

On the mound, Lucchesi flashes a low 90's sinker with an above-average curveball from a three-quarters arm slot. Despite the low velocity, he does hide the ball well and it gets in on hitters pretty quickly.

For Lucchesi, this is a chance to return home. He grew up in Newark, California, and attended Chabot College before transferring to Southeast Missouri State University.