Flemming: Why it’s too early to worry about Devers & Webb

San Francisco Giants broadcaster Dave Flemming joined Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys this week and offered a measured, insightful look at the early-season state of the San Francisco Giants—a club still finding its identity, but beginning to steady itself.

The Giants (11-13) have quietly won several recent games, and Flemming pointed to one key reason: The bullpen.

“What stands out is the bullpen,” Flemming said. “They’ve done a really nice job of stabilizing the late-game situations.”

While the offense hasn’t fully clicked, the team has managed to “scrap and claw and win some of these games,” a sign, he says, that the group is “feeling like a more confident group” despite being “a long way from being the best version of themselves.”

That bullpen success comes with a caveat. Flemming echoed the unpredictable nature of relievers, noting, “It’s extremely hard to predict who’s going to be good year to year.”

Rather than overspending, the San Francisco Giants have leaned into competition and depth. “The best way to do it is create as many options as you can, and let those guys sort it out themselves,” he explained.

On the offensive side, much of the spotlight has fallen on star designated hitter and first baseman Rafael Devers and his slow start. Flemming isn’t concerned long-term.

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“I’m not worried about this guy. There’s such a long track record of success,” he said, attributing the struggles to timing issues rather than decline. “Right now, it’s obvious he is not timing the fastball, and he will click that in at some point.”

Devers, a three-time All-Star, is batting .237 with two HR and nine RBI over 97 at-bats. His .604 OPS is well below his career mark of .850 over ten seasons.

Still, he emphasized the stakes: “They absolutely have to get high-level offensive performance from him.”

Similarly, ace and Rocklin native Logan Webb has drawn attention for uneven results. Flemming remains optimistic, pointing to recent improvements, like Webb’s recent win over the Washington Nationals (6 IP, 3 R, 6 K).

“I thought he threw the ball really well. The velocity was there, the zip was there.”

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

He suggested the unusual ramp-up from the World Baseball Classic could be a factor, calling it “kind of a roller coaster” start to the season. “We will see the really good Logan Webb soon,” he added.

Looking ahead, Flemming framed the early schedule as a survival test. Facing elite pitching night after night, he said, “For me, it’s more about kind of surviving the early part of the season. Just proving to yourself that you can hang with these guys.”

As for top prospect Bryce Eldridge, Flemming made it clear the organization is staying patient as the first baseman continues to log everyday reps with AAA Sacramento.

“They don’t want to rush it. This guy’s going to be such a big part of their future,” he said, adding that Eldridge will be called up only when he truly “forces the issue.”

Through 20 games with the River Cats, Eldrige is batting .299 with two HR and 11 RBI while sporting an impressive .862 OPS.

Check out the full conversation with Dave Flemming at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

More MLB content from Sactown Sports

• SF Giants Injury Updates: Bader, Susac & more
• A’s star Brent Rooker on embracing Year 2 in Sacramento
• West Sacramento Mayor: Region Pushing for MLB Expansion
• Is Sacramento a legitimate possibility for MLB Expansion?

Upcoming San Francisco Giants & MLB Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, April 21st-Thursday, April 23rd –  vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• Friday, April 24th-Sunday, April 26th – vs. Miami Marlins
• Tuesday, April 28th-Thursday, April 30th – @ Philadelphia Phillies
• Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd – @ Tampa Bay Rays
• Monday, May 4th – Wednesday, May 6th – vs. San Diego Padres

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