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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A year ago, Landen Roupp entered camp in competition for the fifth spot in the Giants’ rotation with Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp — a spot he ended up winning. His spot in the rotation has long been secure, but Roupp isn’t changing anything ahead of his third major league season.
“I’m just thinking of it the same way, trying to fight for my spot,” Roupp said. “Even if I do have the spot, I’m going to attack it like I don’t.”
Roupp and left-hander Matt Gage threw their first live bullpens of camp on Saturday afternoon after right-handers Logan Webb and Hayden Birdsong did so on Friday afternoon.
The 27-year-old Roupp, pitching to Logan Porter, threw 25 pitches and faced six hitters, though his second time facing Patrick Bailey ended early due to pitch count. He struck out Jesus Rodriguez swinging but allowed a home run to non-roster invitee Eric Haase.
Gage, pitching to Diego Cartaya, faced four batters and threw 20 pitches, striking out Porter swinging but allowing a base hit to Bailey.
Roupp emphasized his cutter during his live bullpen season. He threw the pitch last year but changed his grip at the suggestion of new assistant pitching coach Christian Wonders.
“I threw it a lot today, just trying to feel it out and see how it played,” Roupp said. “Got some good swings on it.”
With a solidified spot in the Opening Day rotation, Roupp is headed for a significant workload spike after throwing a career-high 109 2/3 innings last year (three of those innings were during a rehab assignment).
Roupp landed on the 15-day injured list last year with right elbow inflammation, but he believes the Giants made the move out of caution. He also missed the last month of the season after awkwardly twisting his knee at Petco Park in late August, but that injury was of the fluke variety.
To prepare for the uptick in innings, Roupp said he spent the offseason trying to get stronger and increase his base.
“He’s got an edge to him, but also, nothing’s an extreme — which would be nice if I could copy that,” said manager Tony Vitello. “He’s kind of in the middle every day. He’s always in a good mood. He likes to have fun, but he’s not a goofball. He’s intense, but he’s not foaming at the mouth or doing anything crazy. It probably leads into who he is being consistent. In order to be consistent, you have to be consistent.”
Bailey’s tweaks right-handed batting stance
Bailey told reporters on Friday morning that he intends to continue switch-hitting despite posting better numbers as a left-handed hitter the last two seasons, and the 26-year-old has made a noticeable tweak to his right-handed batting stance.
This spring, the two-time Gold Glove Award winner is not only standing taller, but he’s brought his hands out and has his bat head facing directly upward opposed to at an angle near his head. The difference between last year and this year can be seen here.
Over the last two seasons, Bailey hit .197 with a .513 OPS as a right-handed hitter. As a left-handed hitter, by contrast, Bailey has a .239 batting average and .654 OPS. Bailey’s inside-the-park walk-off homer was as a left-handed hitter, but his walk-off grand slam was as a right-handed hitter.
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Justice delos Santos
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