Former SF Giants pitcher allows 13 runs in horrible, no good, very bad outing

Former SF Giants left-handed pitcher Conner Menez had an outing to forget earlier this week with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Eastern League in Japan. Menez has spent the past two years in Japan and had some success. However, in an appearance with their minor league team on Thursday, Menez surrendered 13 earned runs on nine hits, three walks, and three home runs (including two grand slams) in just 0.1 innings pitched.

It took Menez 12 batters to record an out. He surrendered a double, walk, single, walk, grand slam homer, single, single, fielder's choice that failed to record an out, walk, grand slam homer, and single before inducing a fly out to record his first out of the inning. After another single and two-run homer, Menez's manager finally came to the mound to take him out. He had thrown 56 pitches.

Menez was drafted by the Giants in the 14th round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of The Master's University in Santa Clarita, California. Menez had a breakout season in the minor leagues in 2018, striking out 171 hitters across 135.1 innings pitched and reaching Triple-A.

The following season, Menez continued racking up punchouts in the minor leagues and received his first big-league call-up. Menez recorded 22 strikeouts across 17 innings pitched (eight appearances) in his first MLB stint but surrendered 12 walks that limited his effectiveness (5.29 ERA).

Even with his inconsistent control, Menez flashed enough swing-and-miss ability to potentially have a future in the bullpen. He was also expected to compete for a spot in the team's starting rotation. The pandemic-shortened 2020 season, however, limited his opportunities to relief. He recorded a 2.38 ERA across 11.1 innings pitched (seven appearances) with eight strikeouts and five walks.

In 2021, however, Menez had the biggest struggles of his career. He finished the season with a 6.75 ERA at Triple-A Sacramento and his lowest minor-league strikeout rate since 2017. With so many other players in the Giants organization thriving amidst their magical 107-win season, he was designated for assignment and went unclaimed on waivers. Ironically, he was quite impressive in an early-season MLB stint with the Giants and had his best single-season big-league numbers (3.86 ERA, 15 strikeouts, and three walks in 14 innings pitched).

The Chicago Cubs subsequently drafted Menez in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Menez had a short cup of coffee in the majors with the Cubs before he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers once again. While he was effective back at Triple-A, the Cubs granted him his release to sign with Hokkaido and head to Japan.

Since arriving in the NPB, Menez has worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen. He posted a 1.08 ERA in 15 appearances in 2021, a 3.16 ERA in 12 appearances in 2022, and a 3.16 ERA in 12 appearances this year. However, after his horrendous outing earlier this week, Menez has a 25.77 ERA across three appearances with the Fighters minor league affiliate.