Giants pitcher Tyler Beede satisfied with improved pitches despite not making team

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Tyler Beede, hit hard this spring, headed back to the minor leagues but remained optimistic about better days to come.

The Giants optioned their 2014 first-round draft pick to Triple-A on Monday after the right-hander gave up 10 runs in 81/3 innings during Cactus League play.

“Looking at the numbers? Not good,” Beede said as he packed his locker before the Giants played the Cleveland Indians at Scottsdale Stadium. “But the way that my stuff feels, the way that my body feels, I feel great. I couldn’t feel more confident with where my stuff is at compared to a year ago.”

It was part of a massive transaction onslaught this week. The Giants also optioned outfielder Mac Williamson, who batted .333 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs this spring. Williamson had a .349 on-base percentage and .762 slugging percentage over 42 at-bats.

Other players optioned to Triple-A were pitcher Derek Law, pitcher Roberto Gomez and outfielder Austin Slater.

Players reassigned to minor league camp were Andrew Suarez, Joan Gregorio, Jose Valdez, Justin O’Conner, Trevor Brown, Hector Sanchez, Orlando Calixte, Chase d’Arnaud, Kyle Jensen and Chris Shaw.

The Giants want Beede to continue working as a starter, and the pitcher said extended innings will be a key to his development. Beede, 24, went 6-7 with a 4.79 ERA for Triple-A Sacramento last season.

This spring, he allowed a 1.920 WHIP while facing 41 batters. But Beede said his repertoire is maturing in ways that are tougher to measure.

“Overall, I’m very confident with where my stuff is,” he said. “My changeup has taken a big step forward to becoming a pitch I can rely on (against) lefties and righties, even when I’m behind in counts.”

Beede also throws a two-seam fastball, a four-seam fastball and a pitch he described as a cutter/slider.

As for what’s next, he found some inspiration during a conversation with Chris Stratton, another first-round pick who took a while to blossom. Stratton, the 20th overall selection in 2012, had his first productive big-league season in 2017, when he had a 3.68 ERA over 582/3 innings.

“About this time a year ago, things started clicking for him and you see it in how confident he is on the mound,” Beede said. “So I’m excited about this year. Hopefully, I can contribute at some point.”