Pitcher Daulton Jefferies is traveling with the SF Giants currently and could get another chance to start. Manager Bob Melvin told Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle that they are considering a few options for Wednesday’s game with Jefferies’ name being on the table.
That decision has not been finalized yet. Jefferies did appear with San Francisco earlier in the year. He got rocked for nine runs, including five earned, in just two innings of work in a 13-4 loss to the San Diego Padres.
It is a minor surprise that Jefferies is getting another shot despite having some poor defense behind him in his lone outing of 2024.
The Giants signed him to a minor league deal in the offseason. He had several ties to both the front office and coaching staff given that he was a first-round pick by the Oakland A’s out of Cal in 2016.
Prior connections do not hurt, but Jefferies also performed well in spring training. In the Cactus League, he yielded just three earned runs on 14 hits, 16 strikeouts, and only three walks. Those are strong numbers considering that Arizona can be an extreme hitter’s environment.
The Giants rewarded the right-handed hurler by adding him to 40-man roster for the spot start against San Diego.
He was quickly optioned back to the Sacramento River Cats following that start. The 28-year-old pitcher has been one of Sacramento’s better starters since then, posting a 3.44 ERA with 17 strikeouts against five walks in 18.1 frames.
At one point, Jefferies was considered one of the better pitching prospects in baseball. However, he has experienced significant injury setbacks including two Tommy John surgeries and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery. The fact that he has made it back at all is commendable.
Of course, the Giants also have to weigh whether there are better options available. Mason Black is off to a strong start in Triple-A and could be one of the first names promoted if a need arises. Carson Whisenhunt has mixed in some good starts as well with Sacramento.
The difference is that Jefferies is already on the 40-man roster, whereas Black and Whisenhunt are not. Sometimes, that is the easier move to make even if it feels like better options might be available.
