Snell was unfazed after shining in the trade deadline spotlight originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Before Blake Snell made his 10th start of the season with the Giants, there was a lot of outside noise surrounding his name before Tuesday’s MLB Trade Deadline.
And when he actually touched the rubber to Saturday’s doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies, there was more noise – this time from the 34,543 fans in attendance at Oracle Park.
He didn’t pay much attention either.
Instead, he locked himself away and did what he does best.
It all started with the first at-bat on Saturday. Three consecutive four-seam fastballs – the first two at 96 mph and the last a mile slower.
Out number one.
This set the tone for what was to come, even if he or no one else knew it at the time.
Five innings later, Snell walked down the hill to a well-deserved standing ovation after striking out 15 batters in six scoreless innings – the most of his nine-year career and the highest strikeout total of any pitcher this season.
“I wasn’t trying from the beginning,” Snell said after the game. “The last few innings, I was really trying. I knew where I was, I thought, I need to get 13, more than 13. So when I came out for sixth, I was very aware of what I was trying to do. In the last two innings I only looked for eliminations.
“At first, I wasn’t. I was very frustrated. I wasn’t getting ahead of hitters as well as I wanted to. There were many complete counts. So I got frustrated with that. But later I wasn’t really frustrated because I was trying to eliminate people.”
And he did exactly that.
Snell’s 15 strikeouts in six innings pitched are the most by a pitcher in six or fewer innings since at least 1901. With 15 of his 18 strikeouts (83.3 percent) coming via strikeout, this marked the highest percentage of any pitcher. in six innings in a game in MLB history.
He is also the first Giant to strike out 15 batters in a game since team legend and fellow Washington native Tim Lincecum did so in 2009, and was one step away from the San Francisco franchise record.
“I love hearing Washington’s name, so it’s really cool,” Snell said, smiling. “Go, Tim. That’s cool.”
Snell helped lead San Francisco to victory before Hayden Birdsong, Giants starter did the same and put together his solid shooting performance just 45 minutes after the first game ended on Saturday.
Strong early pitching on Saturday helped San Francisco secure three straight wins and keep them afloat after a miserable road trip.
However, overall this puts them in an uncomfortable position.
Snell, who struggled to start the season, looked like a star player as trade rumors, including his name, intensified in recent days. He signed a one-year, $32 million contract with the Giants that includes a player option for the 2025 season.
If the two-time Cy Young winner opting out of his player option to become a free agent again next year, he will essentially just be a rental player to San Francisco for the next few months.
But the Giants could very well listen to what other teams have to offer Snell while his trade price is high.
While the endless possibilities make for difficult decisions for the Giants over the next 72 hours, one thing is certain: Snell isn’t the least bit fazed by it all.
“We simply have to win,” Snell said when asked how he deals with outside noise and trade rumors. “We won, I’m not going anywhere. At least I believe that. I really don’t know, I’ve seen crazy things happen.”
“We just need to win. If we win, I’m not going anywhere.”
Blake Snell isn’t bothered by trade rumors ahead of Tuesday’s deadline pic.twitter.com/G1zJJ2S2nj
– SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 28, 2024
After three tough games before landing on the injured list with a strained left adductor, Snell returned to his Cy Young form. He returned from the IL and had three more bad outings before returning to IL in early June with a left groin strain.
At that time, he had a 9.51 ERA in those six starts.
But since returning for the second time, he has dominated the hill. He shut out the Toronto Blue Jays and then the Minnesota Twins before allowing two earned runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers last week and then put together a career performance with all eyes on him on Saturday.
He is now posting an incredible 0.75 ERA with 30 strikeouts and seven walks in 24 innings in four starts since returning from the IL.
“I’m starting to have more confidence and understand how to make adjustments more quickly now,” Snell said. “I’m getting there, as strange as it may seem. I still feel like I have more to improve. But I would say the hurdle is probably the best it’s been in a while.”
The question now is whether he will make those improvements with the Giants or whether he will be one of the biggest stars traded before Tuesday’s deadline.
