Giants Hot Corner’s GIANTS NOTES – APRIL 2014

Here are some interesting notes and numbers as we look back on the San Francisco Giants opening month of the 2014 season:  

• Through 28 games this season, the Giants have hit 34 home runs which ranks third in Major League Baseball.  Of the two teams ahead of them, one gets to use a designated hitter (Angels) and the other gets to play at Coors Field (Rockies)

• Through 28 games in 2013, the Giants roster had hit only 21 home runs.  Brandon Belt, Michael Morse, Buster Posey and Brandon Hicks have already hit 24 this year.

• The 2013 Giants ended up reaching 34 home runs in their 39th game of the season

• Giants left fielders and second basemen combined to hit only 9 home runs in 2013 in 1,387 plate appearances.  Through the first month of the 2014 season, they have already hit 10 home runs in only 223 plate appearances.

• Brandon Belt hit 7 home runs in April.  Last year Belt didn’t hit his 7th home run until June 9th.

• Despite the Giants 2014 power surge, their 17-11 record is only 1 game better than where they were at this time last year (16-12)

• Aside from the power, the Giants offense has been rather mediocre ranking 22nd in MLB in batting average (.239), 21st in OBP (.309) and 20th in runs scored

• How is Pablo Sandoval doing in his “walk” year?  How about a slash line of .177/.262/.302.  It is safe to say that some of his poor performance has been due to poor luck.  His BAbip (Batting Average on balls in play) is only .201, which is well below his .312 lifetime average.  

• The Giants pitching staff has been stellar so far, posting a 3.24 ERA (7th in MLB) and a 1.18 WHIP (5th)

• Brian Sabean takes a lot of heat from Giants fans, but the Tim Hudson signing has looked great so far.  Hudson’s opening month as a Giant saw him go 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA, but that barely begins to tell the story on how dominant he has been.  Through 46.2 innings, Hudson has a 0.74 WHIP, which ranks 2nd in MLB, and an unbelievable 15.5:1 K to BB ratio (31 Ks, 2 BBs)

• Giants pitchers are enjoying the spacious AT&T Park so far as they have 2.51 home ERA and an outstanding 1.05 WHIP.  However, the Giants arms have not fared so well on the road, posting a team ERA of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.34.

• The Giants pitchers have only surrendered 9 home runs at home this year in 559 opponent’s plate appearances.  On the road, they have allowed 21 home runs in 474 plate appearances.

• One of the Giants biggest weapons this year has been their bullpen.  Giants relievers have posted a 2.05 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP through the first month of the season.   2014 MLB averages are 3.70 and 1.33.