San Francisco Giants’ Kyle Crick Impressing Early On
By Neil Povio
The biggest story during Spring Training this year for the San Francisco Giants has been about position battles among the possible last few spots available on the Giants’ bench and the last bullpen spot. Sometimes, the success of young players who were non-roster invitees to Spring Training camp gets overlooked though. One of those early success stories coming out of San Francisco’s camp during the early go arounds of Spring games is that of Kyle Crick.
For those who don’t know who Crick is, he is the Giants’ former first-round draft pick of the 2011 MLB draft, drafted along with Joe Panik in the first round. The Giants were able to get two first round picks in 2011 because the Giants offered Juan Uribe, a Type B free agent, a contract, but Uribe ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 22-year-old, 220-pound, 6′ 4″ Crick, whose build reminds you of Matt Cain‘s, received an invite to Spring Training camp this year as a non-roster invitee. The Giants wanted to get closer look at what they have in their number-three prospect in the organization, and so far Crick has made the Giants very happy with his two appearances this Spring.
In 4.2 innings this Spring, Crick has yet to allow a run, while striking out three batters and yielding two hits and three walks.
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The one area of concern with Crick for the Giants has been his control, which is shown in his three walks in 4.2 innings, but what Crick has shown the Giants in his two outings so far is a lot more maturity on the mound. When Crick has allowed a runner to reach base via a walk or hit, he has been able to escape the jam with a high 90’s fastball, or a hard slider for a strikeout, or by keeping the ball low and nibbling the corners, forcing the opposing batter to not make good contact for an out.
Crick pitched for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels last season, so it’s likely we will see him start the season with the Triple-A Sacramento Rivercats, no matter how good of a Spring he may end up having. We may even see Crick during the 2015 regular season, pending injuries, or as a September call-up.
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The hope for with Crick among the Giants front office is that he can become a starter at the Major League level in the future. If Crick can keep the course and continue to mature as a pitcher, as he has shown so far this Spring, then the possibility of him being a starter in the big leagues with the Giants is very possible in the near future.
There’s a good chance that come the 2016 season, Crick could even make the starting rotation. Keep in mind that Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson, and Ryan Vogelsong (all classified as starting pitchers) will all become free agents at the end of the 2015 season, so the possibility of Crick taking one of those players’ spots next season, pending on the season he has in the minors this year, is a very strong possibility.
Look out for future articles on Crick, as we’ll keep a close eye on how he does the rest of Spring Training, as well as during the upcoming minor league season.