Lincecum was known for his long stride, unorthodox mechanics, and ability to generate high velocity despite his slight build: originally listed as 5'11 and 165 pounds, Lincecum put on about 15 pounds prior to the 2011 season.
His repertoire included a two-seam fastball that he throws at 91–95 mph, a changeup that he gripped like a split-fingered fastball (his "out pitch" against left handers), a curveball, notable for its sharp 12–6 action, a slider (his "out pitch" against right handers), and a power four-seam fastball that ranged between 93–97 mph.
Lincecum was selected by the Chicago Cubs of the NL in the forty-eighth round (1,408th overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft, but did not sign. He decided to attend college instead, and was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the forty-second round (1,261st overall) upon re-entering the draft in 2005, but once again failed to sign. The next year, he was drafted tenth overall by the San Francisco Giants, becoming the first player from the University of Washington to be taken in the first round. He signed for a $2.025 million signing bonus on June 30, which at the time was the highest amount the organization had ever paid to any amateur player (until they gave $2.1 million to Angel Villalona a little over a month later).
During his brief minor league career he was frequently named as the top pitching prospect in the Giants organization.
Lincecum made his professional debut on July 26, 2006, with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (the Giants' Class A Short Season affiliate) against the Vancouver Canadians, pitching one inning and striking out all three batters he faced. After his second outing on July 31 against the Boise Hawks, in which he pitched three innings, striking out seven and allowing just one baserunner, he was promoted to the High Class-A San Jose Giants.
On August 5, in his first start in San Jose against the Bakersfield Blaze, he pitched 2⅔ innings, allowing three runs (two earned), and striking out five. Lincecum finished the year 2–0 with a 1.95 ERA, 48 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 27⅔ innings pitched. He also got the victory in the opening game of the California League playoffs, giving up one run on five hits in seven innings, striking out ten and walking one against the Visalia Oaks. Visalia would win the series 3–2.
On May 4, he struck out twelve Mets becoming the Giants franchise record holder for the number of games pitched with 10 or more strikeouts with 29, surpassing Hall of Fame "first five" inaugural member Christy Mathewson. Mathewson accumulated his 28 ten-plus-strikeout games in 551 starts over seventeen seasons of pitching for the Giants; Lincecum collected his 29 in 129 starts over five seasons. On May 21, he threw his 8th career complete game and his 5th career shutout, which he threw against the Oakland Athletics. On June 6, he recorded his 1,000th career strikeout against the Washington Nationals, striking out Jerry Hairston, Jr.. He accomplished this during his fifth year in the Major Leagues, becoming only the eighth pitcher in history to do so. He is now the second player ever to have 1,113 strikeouts by his 5th season in the Major Leagues. In 2011, Los Angeles Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw and Lincecum matched up four times, evoking fans of both teams memories of the days Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal traded zeroes in the 1960s. In those four games the scores were 2-1, 1-0, 2-1, 2-1, all going in the Dodgers favor. On September 10, 2011, both men struck out a combined 20 batters.
Lincecum finished the 2011 season 13–14, despite a top-tier ERA of 2.74 (4th in the NL) and a stellar second half ERA of 2.31. Lincecum's win-loss record was largely due to low run support, receiving the worst run support in all of Major League Baseball. Lincecum received 0 runs of support in 10 of his outings and 2 runs or fewer in 21 of them, becoming one of just 6 pitchers in modern major league history to have at least 200 strikeouts, an ERA of below 2.75, and a losing record.
Lincecum threw a four-seam fastball at 93–97 mph, but mostly used a two-seam fastball grip which he threw around 90–93 mph for more sinking movement to get more ground balls. This pitch had little lateral movement, due to his overhand delivery and the speed at which the pitch is thrown. He had a big breaking curveball that was thrown at a range of 77–81 mph and broke away from a right-handed hitter. Lincecum used a changeup that he gripped similar to a splitter with sinking two-seam action. His changeup appears similar to his fastball for the first 30 feet (9.1 m), but then dives down sharply tailing away from a left handed batter, with a difference of 10 mph (16 km/h) or more in velocity from his fastball (82–85 mph). The majority of his strikeouts were recorded with this pitch. Lincecum also had a hard slider that breaks down and away from a right-handed hitter at a speed slightly higher than his changeup (84–88 mph). With his power fastball and strong secondary pitches, he had established himself as one of the elite pitchers in the game.
Records
His bench was tested at 400 lbs.
MLB record-holder for most strikeouts thrown in the first four seasons of a career
Giants franchise leader for wins in a single post-season – 4, set in 2010
Giants franchise record holder for the number of games pitched with 10 or more strikeouts −31, May 4, 2011, surpassing Christy Mathewson
2008–2011: Third Giant ever to have four straight seasons with at least 200 strikeouts
Lincecum's father, Chris Lincecum, was largely responsible for his son's interest in baseball at a young age, and is the origin of his unique and extravagant windup.
Lincecum is part Filipino. His mother, Rebecca Asis, is a daughter of Filipino immigrants.
Tim used MGMT's song "Electric Feel" and The Doors song "Light My Fire" as his walk-up music during every game.
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