Landen Roupp Enters Spring with Health, Confidence, and a Rotation Spot to Lose
SCOTTSDALE - Just two springs ago, Landen Roupp was the surprise name elbowing his way into the Giants’ bullpen conversation. Last year, he pushed even harder, leapfrogging young arms like Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison to earn a spot in the rotation out of camp.
This spring? The drama’s dialed down. Roupp isn’t fighting for a spot so much as fine-tuning where he slots in.
But don’t tell that to Roupp.
"I'm still going to be fighting. In my mind, I'm still fighting for a spot," the 27-year-old right-hander said. "I've got to come out and have a good spring."
That mindset is exactly what new manager Tony Vitello wants to see across the board. He’s preaching competition everywhere - even for the Opening Day starter role.
Yes, Logan Webb is the likely choice, but Vitello isn't handing anything out early. That’s just who he is - a manager who wants his guys earning it, not expecting it.
As for Roupp, the Giants aren’t looking for a revelation this spring - just good health. And that box, so far, is checked.
After battling right elbow inflammation and a left knee sprain last season, Roupp bounced back quickly. He even threw a bullpen late last year to prove the knee was fully healed.
"I was 100 percent. I could have pitched (if they needed me)," Roupp said. "I definitely felt 100 percent and had a normal offseason."
He was back on the mound in early November, gearing up for what could be a pivotal third season - and his first under Vitello, who once coached against Roupp in college and now gets a front-row seat to his development. The Giants didn’t chase marquee names for the rotation this offseason, instead opting for steady additions like Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle. That leaves room for Roupp - and others - to grow into bigger roles.
And Roupp has already shown he’s capable of more. In 45 big league appearances, he owns a 3.73 ERA.
But the real eye-opener came in the three months before his elbow issue last season. Over 14 starts, he posted a 2.27 ERA - and a third of the earned runs he allowed came in one rough outing at Dodger Stadium.
Strip that out, and you’re looking at a pitcher who was arguably the most dominant arm in the Giants’ rotation during that stretch.
Vitello sees the foundation of a long-term starter in Roupp - not just in the numbers, but in the way he carries himself.
"When you label what a starting pitcher is... it's consistency," Vitello said. "And I think he's built for that.
His personality, character, work ethic, how he goes about it - even his delivery and stuff. His consistency is what led to the success you're talking about."
That consistency didn’t just help the Giants - it stabilized the rotation during a stretch when they needed it most. And while everyone loves the idea of an electric, high-velocity ace, Vitello knows teams also need arms like Roupp - dependable, durable, and quietly effective.
Roupp’s also growing mentally. He said last year taught him how to shake off bad outings and reset for the next one - a critical skill for any starter trying to make it through a 162-game grind.
Even if he still sees himself as fighting for a job, there are signs he’s earned more than that. One subtle one? His spring throwing partner is Logan Webb - the staff ace and Opening Day frontrunner.
Roupp’s goal for 2026 is simple: be even more consistent. That might get a boost from a new weapon - an improved cutter, courtesy of assistant pitching coach Christian Wonders.
"It's just a whole lot better," Roupp said. "He showed me a grip and just instantly, it was 10 times better."
If that cutter holds up, Roupp could be even tougher on righties and more versatile when attacking lineups the second and third time through. That’s the kind of development that turns a solid mid-rotation guy into something more.
New Opportunity for Harrison in Milwaukee
Kyle Harrison, once a key piece in a high-profile trade to Boston, is on the move again - this time to the Milwaukee Brewers. The lefty was stuck behind a crowded Red Sox rotation, but the Brewers, who train just a few miles away in Maryvale, are giving him a fresh start with a clear path.
Brewers GM Matt Arnold confirmed that Harrison will be developed as a starter.
“We’re really happy to have him,” Arnold said.
Milwaukee has built a reputation for developing pitchers, and with Freddy Peralta recently dealt to the Mets, there's room for a young arm to step in. Harrison won’t have to wait long to show what he can do.
Parks Harber Turning Heads in Giants Camp
One name to keep an eye on this spring: Parks Harber.
The 24-year-old corner infielder was part of the return in the Camilo Doval trade, and while he didn’t get the headlines at the time, the Giants quietly believed they got a gem. After crushing High-A pitching with a 1.097 OPS and seven homers in just 25 games, Harber earned a non-roster invite to big league camp.
He didn’t slow down in the Arizona Fall League, either, where he continued to rake and caught the attention of evaluators across the league. MLB Pipeline recently ranked him as the No. 10 third base prospect in the minors.
There’s just one problem: third base is locked up in San Francisco for the foreseeable future. First base, too.
So the Giants are getting creative. Harber spent time in the outfield during the Fall League, and he’ll get more reps there this spring. According to GM Zack Minasian, player development VP Randy Winn - a former big league outfielder himself - liked what he saw.
"Randy said it looked pretty good," Minasian said. "It’s obviously a very small sample, but we certainly didn’t get Randy walking away saying, ‘No, I don’t think this is gonna work.’ We’ll get a better look at it this spring and go from there."
If Harber can handle a corner outfield spot, his bat could fast-track him to the big leagues. And with the way he’s been hitting, that’s a development worth watching closely.
Bottom Line
The Giants head into spring with a few knowns - Logan Webb leading the rotation, a deep bullpen, and a lineup that’s getting younger and more athletic. But it’s the stories like Landen Roupp’s - the under-the-radar arms who’ve earned their way up - and prospects like Parks Harber, who are forcing their way into the picture, that could define how far this team goes in 2026.
Roupp may say he’s still fighting for a spot. But if he keeps this up, the only fight might be over just how high he can climb.