Trevor McDonald brings the heat, hits two

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Carson Whisenhunt isn’t the only young starter lighting up the Scottsdale Stadium radar gun.

Following a promising performance leading into Cactus League play, right fielder Trevor McDonald continued his impressive performance as the Warriors defeated the Athletics 6-2 on Monday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium. Not only did McDonald pitch a scoreless inning with two strikeouts — one swing, one look — but he averaged 95.2 mph in his sinker and touched as high as 97.2 mph.

“It’s in the tank,” McDonald said. “If you look back a couple of years ago in the minor leagues, I was there. I’ve just been very intentional about my sleep, my recovery, what I’ve put into my body this offseason. I felt really good coming into camp, so I think that’s all that shows on the field. … I feel good and I wouldn’t be surprised to be there again.”

Last season, McDonald averaged a sinker velocity of 93.1 mph over 142 1/3 innings with Triple-A Sacramento. The 24-year-old has adjusted his approach this season, prioritizing his sleep and diet. He’s at a “healthy weight” and is up to 210 pounds after weighing in at 195 pounds last spring. McDonald tried the carnivore diet like right-hander Adrian Houser, but admitted he’s “not as tough on it as he is.”

The Giants’ rotation is currently filled with Houser, Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Landen Roupp, and Tyler Mahle, but Vitello described the San Francisco Bulls’ pitching as “wide open.” With a few straight locks in the ‘pen, one of San Francisco’s young starters should get a shot to win a spot on Opening Day out of camp as a reliever.

McDonald had a 5.31 ERA with Triple-A Sacramento in the record-breaking Pacific Coast League and didn’t make his season debut with San Francisco until mid-September. Upon arrival, McDonald impressed in his short time with the team, posting a 1.80 ERA (three earned runs, 15 innings) over three appearances.

“It’s something, going into this spring, that makes you hungry to get back out there,” McDonald said. “Definitely a confidence boost and an encouraging end to the year.”

Whisenhunt, 25, showed off his remarkable jump in speed during last Thursday’s game. The lefty had a fastball velocity of 92.6 mph during his short stint in San Francisco last season, but stayed in the 95-96 mph range and occasionally touched 97 mph last week.

Right-hander Blade Tidwell, 24, also pitched strongly in his Cactus League debut, striking out three batters in his first hitless performance on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners.

While McDonald, Tidwell and Whisenhunt all looked sharp, 24-year-old right-hander Hayden Birdsong stumbled in his Cactus League debut. Birdsong retired one of the six batters he faced Saturday, walking two batters, allowing three hits and giving up five runs (four on grand slams).

Mahle throws the bullpen live

Right-hander Tyler Mahle threw a live bullpen throw back at Scottsdale Stadium before Monday’s game against the Athletics.

Mahle, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Giants this offseason, faced six batters, threw 27 pitches and drew four whiffs. He struck out two batters – one swinging, one glancing. The right-hander was delayed a few days due to feeling under the weather.

It is not clear if Mahle will need another live bull before he can appear in Cactus League games.

Honeywell signed a minor league deal

Brent Honeywell Jr., who won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, has signed a minor league contract with the Giants. The deal does not include an invitation to spring training.

Honeywell, who turns 31 in March, was not acquired by the Dodgers following the ’24 season. The right-hander has a career 4.10 ERA and 5.26 FIP over 94 1/3 innings.

Rodriguez makes a cameo in the second episode

Catcher Jesus Rodriguez has hit around the diamond during his time in the New York Yankees system, and the Giants asked Rodriguez to provide some flexibility Monday by having him play a few innings at second base.

Along with catching, the 23-year-old Rodriguez spent time at first base (57 games), second base (three games), third base (97 games) and left field (24 games) during his junior season. The Yankees’ farm system had plenty of catching opportunities during Rodriguez’s time in their system, and he often played around the diamond to get his bat in the lineup.

“We’re looking at any possible excuse or any possible reason to get Rodriguez (in the game),” Vitello said. “He’s a footballer, you should see that his eyes are happy when you talk to him about going around or going left.”