In a disappointing season for the San Francisco Giants, their bullpen has been one of the main culprits. The Giants’ 4.38 ERA from their relievers ranks 10th worst in all of baseball, and a few of the arms expected to pitch in high-leverage situations have not performed to expectations.
Dylan Smith Is Solid In San Francisco Bullpen
But right-handed reliever Dylan Smith has stepped up for San Francisco when called upon in 2026. Through 16 innings at the big-league level, Smith is sporting a 2.81 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has struck out 27.1% of batters, and opposing hitters are batting just .190 against him.
Pitcher Dylan Smith Is Trying To Avoid ‘The Shuttle’ & Find A Home In San Francisco
Because he has minor league options, Smith has been back and forth a couple of times this season between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento. The 26-year-old experienced a similar situation last year while he was still a member of the Detroit Tigers.
After making his MLB debut on May 30, 2025, Smith went on to be optioned back to Triple-A Toledo three times over the course of the season, but not due to performance.
He posted a 1.35 ERA in 13 innings with Detroit, and because of his low volume, Smith maintained his rookie eligibility this season. It was a strong initial showing for the former third-round pick out of Alabama in the 2021 draft.
Smith worked as a starter for the Crimson Tide in his third and final collegiate season, and continued to do so at the start of his professional career.
But after he suffered forearm, triceps, and shoulder injuries, the Tigers transitioned Smith to a bullpen arm prior to the 2025 season. Pitching effectively, he moved quickly through the Double-A and Triple-A levels last season and earned his first major league call-up.
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The Tigers designated Smith for assignment before 2026 Opening Day in a roster crunch, then traded him to the Giants for cash considerations on March 30. Despite the change of scenery, Smith has continued to record outs efficiently, logging four holds and a save in his stints with San Francisco.
Maturing As A Pitcher Has Been Vital
With changing organizations, Smith has resorted to retiring hitters in different ways. While with the Tigers, he limited hard contact and posted an elite ground ball rate.
Now with the Giants, Smith is garnering more swing-and-miss, and the majority of his outs come through the air. His velocity on his four-seamer has also ticked up slightly to touch 96 mph, while Smith pairs that with a mid-80s sweeper that batters are hitting .115 against.
The next step for Smith is having better command, as he has logged walk rates north of 10% at each stop over the past two seasons. But as he displayed in his junior year at Alabama, where he walked only 20 batters in 98 2/3 frames, Smith can restrict free passes and keep pitches away from the heart of the zone.
The 6-2 righty has the potential to be a savvy acquisition for San Francisco, as he continues to develop and gain MLB experience. If the Giants want to quickly turn things around in the coming years, rostering a quality bullpen piece like Smith will be valuable.
