TEMPE, Ariz. -- Logan Webb hasn’t always been at his sharpest during Spring Training, but he came out firing in his Cactus League debut against the Angels on Tuesday -- so much so that for a moment it looked like he threw the fastest pitch in history.
Webb’s second pitch of the day was generously recorded at 111.8 mph, an amusing glitch for a veteran right-hander who averaged 92.6 mph on his sinker last year.
“That’s right,” Webb insisted.
“He won’t get that one by me, I promise,” Giants rotation mate Landen Roupp said.
The hot radar gun was the only blip of the afternoon for Webb, who struck out four and retired each of the six batters he faced in his crisp 26-pitch outing in the Giants’ 4-1 win at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
“I’ve struggled with this in the past, so I’m happy I could get it out of the way,” Webb said. “I think an easy way to get it out of the way is having to face Mike Trout in your second at-bat of Spring Training. But it’s a good challenge.
“I think, for me, it’s really just trying to feel good in my mechanics and just go out there and compete. I think it’s good to get some adrenaline going and to just try to compete.”
Webb is expected to make one more start for the Giants on Sunday before he departs to join Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old appears to be lined up to start Team USA’s first game of pool play against Brazil on March 6 at Houston, but he said manager Mark DeRosa has asked him not to reveal his pitching schedule just yet.
Webb is expected to be part of a star-studded American rotation that includes reigning Cy Young winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes. Skubal, who will be eligible for free agency at the end of the season, has already said he plans to make only one start for Team USA before returning to Tigers camp, but Webb intends to stick around for the duration of the tournament.
“I’m going to see it through,” Webb said. “I’m going to be there the whole time. I think it ends up being two [starts]. I want to be there the whole time with the guys.”
Webb said he doesn’t begrudge Skubal for wanting to limit his WBC participation this year.
“I’m not in his shoes,” Webb said. “I’ve got three years left on my contract. He doesn’t. He has one year and then he’s a free agent. I get the thought of it.”
Webb is heading into the WBC with an extra surge of patriotism, as he was inspired by the U.S. men’s hockey team’s thrilling gold medal finish at the Winter Olympics on Sunday.
“I think it’s like the perfect timing,” Webb said. “You get to watch that and then it fires you up, at least for the guys going and playing. I didn’t play in it last time, but I was just as excited to watch Team USA go out there. Now I get to be a part of it, and it’s extra special.”
Roupp and the rest of his Giants teammates will certainly be cheering Webb on from afar.
“It’s going to be awesome,” said Roupp, who worked around a leadoff walk to post a scoreless third inning in his first Cactus League appearance on Tuesday. “That’s one of my dreams, too, to be able to do that. He’s an awesome guy and I think he deserves it more than anybody. I’m really looking forward to that. I’ll definitely be tuned in on his starts.”