Former shortstop starting over as relief pitcher

Trey Webb photo by Rob Fisher

One of the fresh, young arms in the Giants bullpen is actually an older guy trying to remake himself as a relief pitcher.

Trey Webb, a 27-year-old Dallas native, was drafted in the fifth round by the Montreal Expos in 2003. The Giants acquired him in 2007 and until last spring was a shortstop. He hit .248 in 476 games in the minors. But after a scout told Webb he had one of the best arms he’d seen in 20 years the decision was made to try pitching. So, Webb was sent back to Arizona to learn a new position.

“I was wild at first learning new pitches and learning how to pitch,” Webb says. “But I got a lot of help from the staff there. This organization is known for pitching so it was great for me to be here and to learn how to pitch.”

From Arizona, it was on to Salem-Keiser, Augusta, and now San Jose, where Webb has one save, seven strikeouts, and a 1.42 ERA in six outings. He likes the progress he’s made.

“Learning your arm slot and then one day you figure out the mechanics of it and now my walks have gone way down. Now I don’t have to think about my arm slot anymore and all I have to worry about is pitching.”

San Jose Pitching Coach Jerry Cram says Webb is doing all the right things.

“He’s gotta keep the ball in the strike zone,” Cram says. “He’s got good stuff. The main thing is his command. Once he learns to command the strike zone then he’ll move (up) pretty quick.

Webb has a low to mid-90’s fastball, slider, curve and change up, and both he and Cram believe he’s best suited for a mid to late-inning relief role. But does the former shortstop miss hitting?

“Not at all. Hitting is a daily grind; it’s mental, and I was known more for my defense than hitting. I love pitching. I wish I had started in college.”

Webb says despite his age he has a fresh arm and will be able to pitch for a long time.