SF Giants reunite Rogers twins, agree to terms with LHP Taylor Rogers

The SF Giants have agreed to terms with left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers. A former All-Star, Rogers is an identical twin with Tyler Rogers.

Marc Delucchi | Dec 23, 2022

SF Giants reunite Rogers twins, agree to terms with LHP Taylor Rogers /

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San Francisco Giants

The SF Giants have agreed to terms on a three-year, $33 million contract with left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers. Rogers split the 2022 season between the Padres and Brewers, but spent the first six years of his career with the Minnesota Twins. Assuming the deal is finalized, Rogers will become teammates with his identical twin Tyler. He was not ranked among Giants Baseball Insider's top-50 free agents.

SF Giants recent acquisition Taylor Rogers throws a pitch during his tenure with the Brewers. (2022) — Brewers reliever Taylor Rogers throws a pitch. (2022) / Ron Chenoy

Rogers was drafted in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Kentucky by the Twins. He quickly climbed the minor-league ranks and made his big-league debut early in the 2016 season. Over the next six seasons, Rogers emerged as a quality set-up option in Minnesota, receiving his lone All-Star selection in 2021.

Last winter, the Padres parted with several key pieces to add Rogers to become the team's closer. However, despite excellent peripherals, Rogers never found his footing and was eventually traded to the Brewers as part of a package for Josh Hader. Rogers continued racking up strikeouts, but struggled to a 5.48 ERA with Milwaukee. He finished the season with 84 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 64.1 innings pitched with a 4.76 ERA. However, stats like FIP (3.31), xFIP (3.26), and xERA (4.11) all suggested that his performance was worthy of better numbers.

Rogers has never missed significant time due to injury. In 385 appearances, Rogers has recorded 445 strikeouts, 95 walks, and 81 saves across 379 innings pitched with a 3.42 ERA (3.06 FIP).

A southpaw, Rogers has always been far more dominant against left-handed hitters than right-handed ones. Lefties have hit an abysmal .196/.260/.276 against him while righties have posted a far more respectable .261/.316/.415 triple-slash. Still, despite his limitations, Rogers should help solidify a Giants bullpen led by closer Camilo Doval.

Heading into next season, SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler will have both Rogers twins, Doval, John Brebbia, Jakob Junis, and likely Scott Alexander locked into relief roles while players like Alex Young, Cole Waites, Yunior Marte, and Randy Rodriguez will likely compete for the remaining spots.

Published Dec 23, 2022

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).