Carson Whisenhunt keeps making the Giants think twice.
The 25-year-old left-hander, drafted by San Francisco in the second round in 2022 with the 65th overall pick, has been the kind of young arm the organization has long hoped would grow into a reliable presence in the rotation. In the best-case version of that plan, he looked like a fourth or fifth starter who could give the club steady innings and keep it in the mix. Lately, though, he’s been pitching like something more.
Whisenhunt added another strong step Thursday, earning the win in the Giants’ 8-2 victory over the last-place Colorado Rockies. He worked 5.2 innings, allowed three hits, two earned runs and four walks, and struck out four.
That performance pushed him to 2-0 in two starts since being called up on May 18. Across 10.2 innings this season, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA with six strikeouts and six walks.
For a pitcher trying to stick in the majors, that kind of start matters. Whisenhunt knows it, too.
“Felt comfortable, felt confident. But a little rushed, just trying to do a little too much I think,” Whisenhunt said.
“The first two innings felt really good. [The] third inning’s when I felt it.
“Then going back out in the fourth I felt like I slowed it back down and everything was fine after that. It’s just a little bit going on.”
He also made clear what’s driving him right now.
“Just trying to do whatever I can to stay but also give the team a chance to win, that’s the biggest thing,” Whisenhunt said,. “Obviously don’t know what’s going to come from tonight’s outing, if I’m going to stay or not, but hopefully I do. Just building off what I’ve done the past few times I’ve had a chance to come up here.”
After nearly five seasons in the minors, Whisenhunt may finally be turning the corner. If this outing against Colorado is any indication, the Giants have a real argument for giving him another look. Whether he stays in San Francisco or heads back to Sacramento, he’s made the case that the wait might be paying off.
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