The San Francisco Giants made one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason-not with a blockbuster free agent signing, but by handing the managerial reins to Tony Vitello. It’s a bold pivot.
Vitello comes straight from the college ranks, where he built a powerhouse at the University of Tennessee and capped it off with a national championship in 2024. Now, he’s stepping into the big leagues with no prior MLB coaching experience, but with plenty of buzz and a few familiar faces already in the clubhouse.
Among those familiar faces? Four former Tennessee players-Drew Gilbert, Blake Tidwell, Gavin Kilen, and Maui Ahuna-who now find themselves in the Giants’ system. That college connection could be more than just a feel-good storyline; it might actually shape the Giants’ Opening Day roster.
One name to keep a close eye on is Blake Tidwell. The right-hander is in the mix for the final spot in San Francisco’s starting rotation, and while nothing is guaranteed, he’s got a few things working in his favor-starting with his relationship with Vitello. That kind of trust and familiarity between a manager and pitcher can go a long way, especially when a rotation spot is up for grabs.
But this isn’t just about past chemistry. Tidwell has real stuff.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s, and he pairs it with two distinct sliders-a sweeping 80-83 mph version and a more traditional 82-85 mph offering. That kind of breaking ball variety gives him multiple looks against hitters and shows he’s more than just a hard thrower.
He’s a pitcher with a plan.
Since being acquired from the Mets in the Tyler Rogers trade last July, Tidwell has quietly put together a solid résumé at Triple-A. He posted a 3.62 ERA with 111 strikeouts over 97 innings-a strong showing that suggests he’s knocking on the door.
But as with any young arm, the question isn’t just about stuff-it’s about readiness. Can he handle the grind of a full big-league season?
Can he adjust when hitters start adjusting to him?
That’s where the competition gets real. Landen Roupp, another internal candidate, is coming off a strong year himself and could be the safer option for the Giants. He’s already shown he can deliver consistent innings, and that kind of reliability is hard to ignore when you’re rounding out a rotation.
Still, if Tidwell shows out this spring-if he commands the zone, keeps the walks down, and flashes that swing-and-miss arsenal-he could force the Giants’ hand. And with Vitello at the helm, there’s an added layer of belief that Tidwell might get a longer look than most young pitchers in his spot.
The Giants are clearly in a transitional phase, blending proven veterans with a wave of young talent. And with Vitello now steering the ship, don’t be surprised if that youth movement gets a little extra momentum. For Tidwell, that could mean a real shot at breaking camp with the big club-and maybe, just maybe, claiming a spot in the rotation before April rolls around.