default-cbs-image

Madison Bumgarner is a trailblazer, a champion for all pitchers who've been told they couldn't hit.

Lately, Bumgarner's efforts at the plate have baseball thinking about including him in the Home Run Derby -- or, at least, pondering the idea of a pitchers' version of the event -- and now, here on June 30, 2016? Bumgarner has scored another victory for his people. On Thursday, the Giants are expected to become the first team since the 1976 White Sox to forgo the designated hitter in favor of letting their pitcher hit. (The Rays had to let Andy Sonnanstine bat for himself a few years back due to a lineup error.)

Over the last three seasons, Bumgarner leads all pitchers in most every meaningful offensive category. He has as many home runs (11) as the second-, third-, and fourth-place pitchers do combined; his batting average (.235), on-base percentage (.276), and slugging percentage (.443) are all tops among pitchers, and, oh yeah, he's the only pitcher with an OPS over .600 -- his is .718.

Oakland fans will get to see this swing in action after all. USATSI

The Giants' decision is nonetheless an interesting one -- in part because it eschews convention, and in part because it seems to bet on Bumgarner's recent platoon splits being legitimate. Though he throws lefty, he bats righty, and in recent seasons he's been a highly effective batter with the platoon advantage. In 2014, he posted an .879 OPS against southpaws; last season he checked in at .797. Bumgarner's numbers thus far this season aren't as impressive, but the Giants are nonetheless picking him over giving Buster Posey a rest day at DH -- and, by extension, giving Trevor Brown a start behind the plate. Brown, it must be noted, has outpaced Bumgarner at the plate in 2016.

Of course, maybe the Giants just want to keep Bumgarner in a rhythm or content or [fill in your convenient, probably oversimplified explanation here]. Whatever the cause for the decision -- and whether or not you agree with the decision in the first place -- this is sure to inspire even more debate about the DH. On second thought, perhaps Bumgarner isn't such a champion after all.