Logan Webb Brims With Intangibles

Logan Webb clearly has reaped the benefits of Tommy John surgery. Those benefits, though, come with some frustration.

A 6-foot-2, 220-pound righthander, Webb had the surgery at midseason 2016. His 2017 season then was limited to 15 relief appearances for short-season Salem-Keizer.

He began 2018 at high Class A San Jose and thrived as a starter, posting a 1.82 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 74 innings. That earned him a promotion to Double-A Richmond at the end of July.

Webb made six starts with Richmond and ranged from 83 to 86 pitches. Just twice with San Jose did he throw more than 64 pitches in a game and his high was 74. 

Because he was setting down hitters with an arm that felt healthy again, the 21-year-old Webb on more than one occasion wanted to stay in a game longer than he was allowed.

“It was definitely tough at times,” Webb said, “but I knew exactly why we were doing it. In the long run, it’s going to save my arm.”

Said Richmond pitching coach Glenn Dishman: “I know the organization loves him, so I know they want to take care of him as much as possible.”

Webb features a fastball in the low-to-mid-90s. He also throws a curveball and a circle-changeup that Dishman thinks can become an important part of his repertoire.

The Giants drafted Webb in the fourth round in 2014 from Rocklin High, near Sacramento. He started at quarterback in his junior and senior years at Rocklin. Growing up, football was his favorite sport.

“You kind of have to get fired up to play a football game,” Webb said. “I try to bring that to the mound every time I pitch.”

Dishman termed Webb “off the charts on all (that) intangible-type stuff that you can’t really teach.” 

In fact, Dishman—who spent a dozen years working in the Dodgers’ organization—likened Webb’s makeup to that of a young Clayton Kershaw.

“I see some of the same type of attributes,” Dishman said. “Just that little special, ‘Hey, I’m doing everything I can to get to the big leagues and be a winner . . .’

“I love the kid. He’s fun to be around. He’s great to talk to . . . I’m hoping he’s the complete package.”

GIANTICS

>> Near the end of their second consecutive losing season, the Giants removed Bobby Evans as general manager and reassigned him within the organization. He has been with the Giants since 1994. Evans became GM in April 2015 after serving as the assistant to GM Brian Sabean for the previous nine seasons.