What Changed for Snell?

The date is May 22, 2024 and Blake Snell’s ERA is 11.40, he is statistically the worst starting pitcher in baseball. He had just given up 4 runs in 3.1 innings pitched (IP) against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a bottom five offense in baseball. The Giants were regretting the $62 million they gave him. Now he’s the best pitcher in baseball, who just threw the 18th no-hitter in the history of the San Francisco Giants.

On March 18, 2024 breaking news dropped that the San Francisco Giants have signed two-time cy-young winner Blake Snell to pair alongside their ace Logan Webb. The Giants gave Snell a 2-year $62 million contract with a player option after year one, this told everyone the Giants were ready to contend again in 2024. 

With the season starting just 10 days after he signed, Snell was not ready to go until early April. He opened his season at home against a subpar Nationals offense, Snell gave up 3 runs in 3 IP, not so great. Snell continued to do the same until a game against the Yankees in early June. While he did give up 3 runs in 4.2 IP, that outing looked like the 2-time cy-young winner. In the fifth inning Snell suffered an injury to his left groin, forcing the Giants to put him on the 15-day Injured list (IL) for the second time this season.

During his second stint on the IL, Snell worked to get his body back into real baseball shape. Snell said multiple times during the season that the offseason was “different” due to him not being able to participate in spring training games. During his rehab process, Snell started multiple games in the Minor Leagues to build his stamina back up in order to dominate at the Major League level once again. Snell felt very good and was ready to come back for a July 9th start against the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Before his first start back, Snell said he was “ready to go” after his second IL stint. Even while on a pitch count, Snell dominated. In 5 innings he allowed 1 hit, and 0 runs. It felt like the Blake Snell everybody knows can dominate baseball games every five days. 

Fast forward to August 2, 2024 and in Snell’s last five starts he has a 0.55 ERA in 33 IP, as well as only giving up TWO RUNS with 41 strikeouts. That’s video game numbers, not even Paul Skenes has done this (don’t attack me media).

All Giants fans should be excited for this rotation that’s to come in the dog days of August and September. Webb, Snell, Ray, Harrison, and Birdsong are going to keep NL West opponents up at night. Giants President of Baseball Operation Farhan Zaidi called it “the best rotation in baseball.” As long as the pitching staff keeps throwing shutouts, we can all stop complaining about the offense. 

To go from worst pitcher in baseball in the first half of 2024, to throwing a no hitter is something we have never seen before, and will never see again. Healthy Blake Snell is a treat to watch, and Farhan Zaidi should be giving him a blank check for a contract extension right now.