San Francisco Giants: Pitching Prospect Makes Big Stride in Career

Hard-throwing San Francisco Giants’ pitching prospect Ray Black made a big stride on Friday, throwing effectively with no days of rest.

Friday was a pretty mundane day for the San Francisco Giants. They again lost to the San Diego Padres, who continue to have their number, and wasted away another chance to get on the winning side of .500. Down on the farm system, a Triple-A pitcher made a big stride in his career.

It was also a mundane day for the Sacramento River Cats. They lost to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres’ AAA affiliate, on another day where they couldn’t get any offense going. But when right-hander Ray Black took the mound in the top of the ninth, it was an extremely interesting development.

Black threw a perfect inning, striking out a pair of batters as he is wont to do. That’s not the big deal. The big deal is that Black pitched Thursday, and was back on the mound on Friday. It was just the second time this season that Black has gone on back-to-back days.

The Giants’ organization has handled Black with kid gloves to the fullest extent this year. Friday was his 27th appearance, and only the second that came without a rest day in between appearances. Seven outings had come with just one day of rest.

Looking at Black’s extensive history of injury, it’s easy to understand why the Giants are being so cautious. Dating back to high school, Black has missed time on the mound because of Tommy John surgery, a hand fracture, a torn meniscus in his knee, a bone spur, back spasms, shoulder labrum surgery, and a lat muscle injury.

More from Golden Gate Sports

Black earned his way onto the Giants’ 40-man roster, but was designated for assignment before last season to make room for pitchers whom they could rely on to pitch. Another injury, this one another bone spur in his elbow that required surgery and limited him to three appearances (2.1 innings) in Arizona Rookie League, had Black questioning his career. He ultimately didn’t retire, and it looks like he made the right decision.

And looking at Black’s incredible repertoire, it’s easy to understand why the Giants have been patient with him. Black is the proud owner of one of baseball’s best fastballs, which has been clocked as high as 104 and regularly sits in triple digits. He adds to that a slider that is more than just a complementary piece.

The biggest knock on Black, even as he blew hitter after hitter away with his 100-plus mph fastball and hard-biting slider, was his durability, or lack thereof. The laundry list of injuries have kept him off the field for extended periods of time on more than one occasion, but he’s been a reliable presence in minor league bullpens this season, even if he wasn’t always available.

That’s what makes Friday’s appearance so big for Black, and for the organization. It wasn’t the first time he’s gone on consecutive days this year, but it was the first time he’s gone on consecutive days and been effective on the second day. When he pitched on June 7th, the first time he pitched with no rest days, he faced three batters and allowed two runs on a hit and a walk. He also didn’t strike out a batter, one of only two outings this year he didn’t record a strikeout.

Friday was a different story. He faced three batters, struck out two, got five swing-and-misses in 16 pitches, and touched 101 with his fastball.

He basically did what he has been doing all season. He started the year in Double-A with Richmond, his second go-around with the Flying Squirrels, and was just about unhittable. In 10 appearances, he gave up one run, four hits, and four walks, and struck out 20 batters in 10 innings. Since moving up to Triple-A, his first attempt at the highest level, he’s been just as good. He’s allowed nine hits and six walks in 17 appearances (16.2 innings), and has struck out 28.

He’s generally showing better control as well, which was an issue that plagued him when he was able to take the mound. His 3.5 walks per nine innings across both levels this season represent the lowest mark of his career, and he hasn’t had to sacrifice strikeouts either. He’s still striking out 16.1 batters per nine, a ridiculous number.

Next: Classic Bumgarner a Great Sign

All of that combines to make Black an intriguing bullpen option, and if he is pitching back-to-back days, he could soon be an option for the big league bullpen. The heart of the Giants’ ‘pen has become a strength for the team, and adding a guy who can throw triple-digits with ease won’t hurt.

Home/San Francisco Giants