At Scottsdale Stadium this spring, the San Francisco Giants are placing renewed faith in their group of young pitchers, hoping for significant progress from players like Carson Seymour. Following a disappointing performance by their young starters last year, the Giants face pressing questions about the future strength of their rotation and bullpen, making the emergence of these young arms critical to their success in the upcoming season.
With limited reinforcement added to their bullpen during the offseason, Giants manager Tony Vitello’s success in his first year may heavily rely on how effectively he can trust these young pitchers to contribute. Consequently, there is considerable focus on young starters who could also serve as reliable relievers early in the season, which is where Carson Seymour’s role appears increasingly promising.
Early Impressions: Seymour’s Strong Pitching and Potential Role
This spring, Carson Seymour has exhibited impressive form, starting his simulated game outing with strikeouts against established hitters Luis Arraez and Willy Adames. Moments after seeing Seymour’s performance, director of major league pitching Frank Anderson noted Seymour’s physical presence at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, highlighting his heightened comfort and confidence at the big-league level compared to previous seasons.
Vitello praised Seymour’s intensity, stating,
“He came out of the gates throwing, to be honest with you, like he has thrown in the bullpen in January and February,”
adding,
“He’s had a good head of steam behind him since I’ve seen him and I know he’s amped up. He fits the mold of dang near everybody that’s a holdover from last year — they want to push forward and make progress or potentially be better than they did last year.”
This enthusiasm suggests Seymour might transition into a shorter-relief role, which aligns with his physical attributes and pitching profile.
Balancing Starting and Relieving Duties Among Young Arms
The Giants are evaluating which young pitchers should focus on starting roles with regular outings every five days in Triple-A, maintaining their endurance, and which might be better suited for relief appearances as early as April. Seymour fits the latter category, having made 13 relief appearances last season with a notable 3.38 ERA. Despite a solid showing, his susceptibility to home runs—six allowed in 26 2/3 innings out of the bullpen—remains a concern the coaching staff is aiming to address.
Seymour acknowledges the adjustments he is making:
“I was starting to understand where my pitches work best and was just trying to throw it there versus the other spots,”
he said.
“I think it was just too broad (before). I got away with it in the minors just (being) in a general area versus being more specific.”
This refined approach could help reduce hard contact and improve his effectiveness as a power reliever.
Development Focus Under Pitching Director Frank Anderson
Frank Anderson, known for honing college arms, has taken a hands-on approach during the offseason, reaching out to high school and summer league coaches to gather insights on the young pitchers under his guidance. He remarked on Seymour’s growth, observing,
“He’s more secure. He’s more comfortable in this setting than he has been in the past because some of that stuff isn’t new.”
Anderson’s investment in understanding each pitcher’s background is helping tailor development strategies that fit their unique skill sets.
Strategic Outlook for Outfield Depth: The Role of Drew Gilbert
While pitching remains a focal point, the Giants are also organizing their outfield options carefully. Manager Vitello emphasized the importance of having a lineup capable of consistent performance, which shapes considerations for players like Drew Gilbert. Gilbert, who showed promise in center field last season, offers a complementary skill set to starter Harrison Bader, with the ability to cover multiple outfield spots and add versatility to the roster.
Vitello noted Gilbert’s defensive leadership, stating,
“The one thing you know Drew is going to do is be really adamant about being a quarterback. He’s overly outspoken.”
He also highlighted the differing styles of Gilbert and teammate Jung Hoo Lee, suggesting that outfield positioning may shift based on matchups and comfort levels, with Gilbert’s ability to play various positions providing valuable flexibility.
Position Players’ Progress Spotlighted by Offensive Performances
Among position players, Heliot Ramos drew attention with a noteworthy homer during a scrimmage, showcasing an encouraging rebound at the plate after a challenging previous season. Ramos’s power against left-handers declined last year, as reflected by his drop in OPS from 1.189 in 2024 to .743 in 2025, but his recent long ball could signal a positive adjustment. Alongside Ramos, Rafael Devers, Harrison Bader, and Christian Koss also homered during the sessions, indicating offensive potential across the lineup as they prepare for the new season.
“Heliot Ramos with a homer halfway up the berm in right-center (bonus: confusion on whether guys are rounding the bases in a scrimmage)”
?Alex Pavlovic, Reporter
Implications for the Giants’ 2026 Campaign
The progress of young arms like Carson Seymour holds significant weight for the Giants’ 2026 outlook. Their ability to convert promising performances into consistent contributions could determine Tony Vitello’s success and the team’s competitiveness this year. Seymour’s emerging role as a power reliever, combined with the ongoing evaluation of other young pitchers and position players, reflects a broader strategy to strengthen depth without heavy offseason acquisitions.
As spring training advances, the Giants continue to balance development, roster flexibility, and on-field production, seeking to transform potential into tangible results. How effectively Seymour and his peers adapt to their roles will be vital in shaping the pitching staff and ultimately influencing the trajectory of the season.
Heliot Ramos with a homer halfway up the berm in right-center (bonus: confusion on whether guys are rounding the bases in a scrimmage) pic.twitter.com/FP57FZNZCO
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 20, 2026
