2026 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
After a three-inning with San Francisco appearance to close the 2024 campaign, McDonald spent most of last season with Triple-A Sacramento before joining the Giants for the final two weeks. With the River Cats, his command and control slipped from prior levels, and he was hit particularly hard. McDonald leans heavily on a sinker and slider, while occasionally mixing in a four-seamer and changeup. He appeared three times for the Giants, starting twice and totaling 15 innings with 14 strikeouts and two walks. San Francisco has several options for the back end of the rotation, which could push McDonald toward a bullpen role. To secure a spot, he'll need to regain his command and control. He's best suited as a swingman, where he could be effective when starting at home. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year contract with the Giants in March of 2026.
Loses race for bullpen spot
The Giants optioned McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis
McDonald got off to a fast start this spring and looked to have a real chance at making the Giants' Opening Day bullpen as a long reliever. However, after finishing the Cactus League with a 6.94 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 11.2 frames, he'll head to Sacramento to get back on track. The 25-year-old righty has looked good during his limited MLB opportunities (1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP through 18 IP), so the Giants may still be willing to add him to their rotation if injuries begin to arise among their starters.
McDonald got off to a fast start this spring and looked to have a real chance at making the Giants' Opening Day bullpen as a long reliever. However, after finishing the Cactus League with a 6.94 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 11.2 frames, he'll head to Sacramento to get back on track. The 25-year-old righty has looked good during his limited MLB opportunities (1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP through 18 IP), so the Giants may still be willing to add him to their rotation if injuries begin to arise among their starters.
Pitching Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-51%
BAA vs RHP
2026
No Stats
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .292 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Since 2024vs Right | .143 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2026vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025vs Left | .333 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025vs Right | .167 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024vs Left | .000 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024vs Right | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-100%
ERA at Home
2026
No Stats
| ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024Home | 0.00 | 0.50 | 10.0 | 9.9 | 0.9 |
| Since 2024Away | 3.38 | 1.38 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 2.3 |
| 2026Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2026Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025Home | 0.00 | 0.57 | 7.0 | 12.9 | 0.0 |
| 2025Away | 3.38 | 1.38 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 2.3 |
| 2024Home | 0.00 | 0.33 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| 2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Minor League Left/Right Pitching Splits (AAA)
Since 2024
-5%
BAA vs RHP
2026
-18%
BAA vs RHP
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .266 | 79 | 40 | 87 | 15 |
| Since 2024vs Right | .254 | 110 | 49 | 109 | 11 |
| 2026vs Left | .214 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026vs Right | .176 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025vs Left | .260 | 59 | 30 | 63 | 12 |
| 2025vs Right | .266 | 85 | 32 | 81 | 10 |
| 2024vs Left | .296 | 16 | 6 | 21 | 3 |
| 2024vs Right | .231 | 20 | 8 | 25 | 1 |
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2024 Fantasy Outlook
McDonald is a nice sleeper prospect for dynasty leagues, as he has excellent control and could potentially get to pitch half his games in the pitcher-friendly park in San Francisco. In his age-22 season, McDonald logged a 1.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 47.1 innings across 14 appearances in the lower levels of the minors. He averaged 94 mph with his two-seam fastball last year (touching 98 mph) and had a groundball rate north of 70 percent. McDonald also sports a plus curveball, while mixing in a four-seamer and a slider.
More Fantasy News
In mix for bullpen spot
McDonald has allowed two hits and a walk while striking out seven across six scoreless innings in three Cactus League appearances, and he is making a strong case to open the 2026 campaign in the Giants' bullpen, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Fans 10 in first career win
McDonald (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Friday.
Analysis
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Picking up another start
McDonald is slated to start Friday's game against the Rockies in San Francisco.
Analysis
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Shows well in first start
McDonald allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out three over six-plus innings in a no-decision Sunday versus the Dodgers.
Analysis
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Drawing first MLB start Sunday
McDonald will start Sunday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury Newsreports.
Analysis
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