In a move that shocked baseball on Friday, the San Francisco Giants optioned closer Camilo Doval to Triple-A. With the Giants desperately trying to stay alive in the Wild Card race, the team had no choice but to option the struggling Doval.
#SFGiants Roster Moves:
– C Curt Casali reinstated from the Paternity List.
– RHP Landen Roupp recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.
– C Jakson Reetz optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
– RHP Camilo Doval optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 9, 2024
Along with the Doval demotion, the Giants optioned catcher Jakson Reetz, recalled Landen Roupp, and reinstated catcher Curt Casali from the paternity list.
San Francisco Giants Option Camilo Doval to Triple-A
Doval entered the season as one of the most electric closers in the game. An All-Star in 2023, he led the league with 60 games finished and 39 saves along with a 2.93 ERA. He ranked amongst the best in the game in velocity and generating strikeouts and groundballs.
Unfortunately, his production has largely crashed this season. He’s still generating whiffs, strikeouts, and groundballs, but has given up hard contact and too many walks. Overall, the 27-year-old has posted a 4.70 ERA (83 ERA+) in 44 innings.
His performance has been especially puzzling since the calendar flipped to June. In his last 21 1/3 innings, the righty owns a 6.75 ERA with four blown saves. San Francisco needs every win they can get down the stretch to make the playoffs.
My take on the Camilo Doval situation is that the league has adjusted to him by swinging less and yet he has been throwing fewer pitches in the zone. Needs to be aggressive in the zone. That’s the work.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) August 10, 2024
The Giants clearly felt their best move was to option Doval to Triple-A rather than using him in lower-leverage situations. He must spend the next 10 days in the minors (unless called up to replace an injured player). San Francisco will almost certainly recall him at some point this year, but it will be interesting to see how long it takes the electric righty to return.
Interim Closer Options
First-year manager Bob Melvin told reporters he won’t have a set closer in the aftermath of Doval’s demotion. That said, righty Ryan Walker could represent a prime candidate to pick up important innings. Walker has used a funky arm slot/delivery to produce a 2.24 ERA in over 60 innings this year. He ranks amongst the best in the league at limiting walks and generating strikeouts and groundballs.
Ryan Walker, Painted 97mph Sinker. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/e5gyrdHRO2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 8, 2024
As a former 31st-round pick, Walker represents a win for San Francisco’s pitching development system. He has gradually earned a more prominent role in the Giants bullpen despite debuting only last season.
Ryan Walker, Wicked Sliders. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/53Awy8JOTY
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 6, 2024
Other options to close include former closers Jordan Hicks, Taylor Rogers, and Tyler Rogers. However, the Giants likely view Doval as the long-term closer even after they optioned him to the minors. Having another pitcher excel in the closer role in the aftermath of Doval’s struggles could create a bit of controversy that nobody in the organization wants to deal with.
Photo Credit: © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
