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Reds re-sign hot-headed former SF Giants closer to milb contract

Former SF Giants right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland has re-signed with the Cincinnati Reds on a minor-league contract.

Marc Delucchi

Reds re-sign hot-headed former SF Giants closer to milb contract
Reds re-sign hot-headed former SF Giants closer to milb contract /
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The Cincinnati Reds have re-signed right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland to a minor-league contract. Strickland, who spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the SF Giants, made 66 appearances out of the Reds bullpen last season, posting a 4.91 ERA. He re-signed with Cincy on a minor-league deal but failed to make the Opening Day roster and opted out of his original contract. However, he has now re-upped with the organization and will likely head to Triple-A.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Hunter Strickland pitches the ball against the SF Giants. (2022)
Reds reliever Hunter Strickland pitches the ball against the SF Giants. (2022) / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Strickland was drafted by the Red Sox back in 2007 out of Pike County High School in Florida. A couple of years later, the Red Sox included Strickland in a trade to the Pirates for first baseman Adam LaRoche. Strickland slowly climbed the Pirates minor-league ranks, but was claimed off waivers by the Giants in 2013 before he had reached Triple-A.

The Giants converted Strickland from starting to a full-time relief role, and the righty reached another level. Strickland dominated the upper minors and made his big-league debut with San Francisco in 2014. In fact, Strickland found his way onto the postseason roster, appearing in eight games for the Giants during their run to the World Series title. Strickland struggled throughout the playoffs, and was tagged for six home runs by opposing hitters, including by then Nationals star Bryce Harper.

Most Giants fans probably remember Strickland most for throwing at Bryce Harper in 2017. Harper charged the mound and a benches-clearing brawl ensued. Strickland's personal vendetta led to several suspensions and effectively ended first baseman/outfielder Mike Morse's career. Morse suffered a concussion during the brawl when he collided with former Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija. He never appeared in another game.

Strickland's temper flared up once again the following season when he was serving as the Giants closer. Strickland broke his right hand, punching a door in frustration after he blew a save. Former Giants manager Bruce Bochy made some pointed comments about the righty following that outburst.

"The closer has got to have emotional control," Bochy said. "We all get frustrated and that's a tough loss and a gut-wrenching loss. I'm sure he felt full responsibility. He didn't think before it happened. I'm thoroughly disappointed, trust me. I'm crushed, because this guy has grown as a pitcher and a person. I know Hunter cares deeply."

Strickland lost the closing job to left-handed reliever Will Smith by the end of the season, and the Giants would part with him that offseason. Despite his tumultuous tenure, Strickland had a surprisingly effective tenure. In 253 appearances with the Giants, Strickland recorded a 2.91 ERA with 211 strikeouts in 226 innings pitched.

Since then, Strickland has appeared in each of the past four seasons with stints on the Mariners, Nationals, Mets, Rays, Angels, Brewers, and Reds big-league roster. However, he has never been as effective as he was in an SF Giants uniform.

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Marc Delucchi
MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).

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