San Francisco Giants could have building block in Sammy Long
The San Francisco Giants had several questions to answer this season, particularly in the starting rotation. Their front four starters – Kevin Gausman, Johnny Cueto, Anthony DeSclafani, and Alex Wood – are all slated to reach free agency this offseason. The Giants needed to find long term solutions to their rotation soon.
Enter Sammy Long. He was very much an afterthought heading into the season, a player who had been cut by the Rays in 2018 and was ready to give up baseball to become an EMT. He was in the White Sox system in 2019, then signed as a minor league free agent prior to this year. Now, he could be a part of the future.
Sammy Long could be key part of San Francisco Giants future
It did not take long for Long to show that he was far more than just a minor league signing. He easily overmatched Double-A, earning a promotion to Triple-A. That level was not a challenge either, with Long getting a boost to the majors.
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He spent his first two outings as a bulk reliever after the opener. Long showed promise in those outings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks in his nine innings, striking out ten. Although his 5.00 ERA may not have been impressive, he had a 1.62 FIP, an impressive showing for his first two outings. On Sunday, the Giants finally gave him his first major league start.
Long responded as San Francisco would have hoped. He held the Phillies in check, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk over his six innings, striking out six batters. For a Giants team that has been searching for a fifth starter seemingly all season, Long’s performance was welcome.
It also gives hope for the future. Although it is difficult to read into 15 innings at any level, Long is showing signs that he could be a part of the Giants’ long term plans in their rotation. At 25 years old, he is certainly young enough to build around, and has the potential to be a solid middle of the rotation arm going forward. The Giants can certainly use that type of a piece.
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Sammy Long impressed in his first start of the season for the San Francisco Giants. He could end up as a key part of their future.