When Blake Snell spoke recently about what changed the trajectory of his pitching career, his answer caught some fans off guard.
The Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander credited his brief time with the San Francisco Giants, and specifically, the influence of Logan Webb, as the turning point in how he learned to “really pitch.”
His remarks, shared during a recent media appearance, offered a rare glimpse of mutual respect between two National League rivals.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who signed with the Dodgers for five years and approximately $182 million last November, told the audience:
“Going to San Francisco, that’s where I learned how to pitch. I was around Logan Webb, and man, he’s going seven innings – it’s like, every game he’s going seven innings.”
He went on: “He’s like, ‘Man, I’m just in the [strike] zone. You’re just not in the zone enough. You strike too many people out. You’ve got to get in the zone more. You’ll still get strikeouts, but get in the zone. And by doing that, you’re going to get six, seven, eight [innings]. You’re going to be able to go deeper in the game.'”
That guidance, emphasizing zone location and stamina over purely strikeout pursuits, may sound elementary, but in a league that increasingly rewards high velocity and swing-and-miss, acknowledging the value of deep outings remains rare.
For the Giants, Webb‘s consistency had already become a quiet anchor; for Snell, the shift may have unlocked a different tier of effectiveness.
Webb’s intangible influence shines through
When Webb joined the Giants staff, he quietly developed into one of the league’s most durable and efficient starters.
As outlined in his profile, Webb has compiled a strong résumé with the Giants, including leading the National League in innings pitched and strikeouts in 2025.
His reputation for going deep into games with trusted command made him a textbook mentor, even if Snell was only there for the short term.
In this light, Snell‘s comment that “that year in San Fran was so big for me, just being around Logan and really learning how to pitch” resonates not only as personal reflection but also as a nod to the culture Webb has cultivated.
While Webb remains in San Francisco, the acknowledgment from a high-profile rival carries weight for both pitchers and their respective organizations.
From the Giants‘ vantage point, having a player from another club credit a team’s developmental environment reinforces their reputation, even if they ultimately lost Snell in free agency.
From the Dodgers‘ perspective, the acquisition of Snell now appears doubly shrewd, not just capturing a proven performer, but acquiring someone who credits his mechanics and mindset to a system they understand.
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