 |
| Giants camp has been marked by the return of Buster Posey. |
Buster Posey returns to a Giants team that boasts a top notch bullpen and a rotation to boot. The emergence of Ryan Vogelsong last season was a major topic of discussion in the bay. As it stands, I consider him the best #4 starter in baseball. Their pitching is what makes them World Series contenders.
Their suspect lineup is what might just keep them from the playoffs. What bodes well for the Giants is that Kung-Fu Panda is hit the ball last year. They just need production from Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, Aubrey Huff and Freddy Sanchez to make the lineup complete. The odds that even 4 of those 6 are on their game this season is very unlikely. Having Cabrera, Pagan and Posey this season should aid a lineup who ranked in the bottom 5 for Batting Average, Runs Scored, On-Base Percentage and Slugging Percentage.
The San Francisco Baseball Giants also picked up World Series Champion Ryan Theriot this offseason. The major concern about Theriot is his decline in stolen bases from last season. Regardless, he will make a solid contributor if he is used as a utility infielder. Injuries to Brandon Crawford or Freddy Sanchez may thrust Theriot into a starting role. Speaking of Crawford, he does have a leg up on the starting Shortstop job, but he is unproven. Manager Bruce Bochy has spoken highly about him and the work he has put in on his swing this spring, saying "He's worked on shortening up his swing and he's getting results."
Brandon Belt is another kid battling to fill a role in spring training. He has been between the Outfield and First Base this spring and has a decent chance of making the roster. Eventually this kid is going to start in San Francisco. The question is when. The answer, I would imagine, is Opening Day 2013 at First Base. I feel that Bell can put up better numbers than Huff at First Base this season, but Huff has more of a presence in the clubhouse. That being said, Huff is only a season removed from a 26 Homer, 86 RBI season in which he helped SanFran to a World Series.
With all of the nitpicking at this lineup, this is still a team with a world class pitching staff and a chance to compete for a division title. The lineup just needs to put up better numbers or the Diamondbacks will have them bested again.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: C Buster Posey. It's not a question of whether or not he will produce. He will. But his is coming back and that should put a charge back into the Giant's lineup.
Rotation: Ryan Vogelsong. We all know about Lincecum, Cain and Bumgarner. However, can Vogelsong continue the success of his 13 win 2011 campaign?
Bullpen: Santiago Casilla. I see this guy as a better Bishop than Affeldt, who is more of a LOOGY. I'd like to see this guy pitch more innings this season. However, it's the Giants bullpen and you cannot go wrong.
The Kids: SS Brandon Crawford. I'd say the chances of him starting the season at Shortstop is 92 percent, yo!
ROYAL LIST:
#38 OF Gary Brown. Set to start playing in the upper echelon of the Minor Leagues in 2012.
PROJECTION: 2nd Place NL West
-I do not have faith in this team topping the Diamondbacks in 2012. I could very well be wrong though.
Their suspect lineup is what might just keep them from the playoffs. What bodes well for the Giants is that Kung-Fu Panda is hit the ball last year. They just need production from Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, Aubrey Huff and Freddy Sanchez to make the lineup complete. The odds that even 4 of those 6 are on their game this season is very unlikely. Having Cabrera, Pagan and Posey this season should aid a lineup who ranked in the bottom 5 for Batting Average, Runs Scored, On-Base Percentage and Slugging Percentage.
The San Francisco Baseball Giants also picked up World Series Champion Ryan Theriot this offseason. The major concern about Theriot is his decline in stolen bases from last season. Regardless, he will make a solid contributor if he is used as a utility infielder. Injuries to Brandon Crawford or Freddy Sanchez may thrust Theriot into a starting role. Speaking of Crawford, he does have a leg up on the starting Shortstop job, but he is unproven. Manager Bruce Bochy has spoken highly about him and the work he has put in on his swing this spring, saying "He's worked on shortening up his swing and he's getting results."
Brandon Belt is another kid battling to fill a role in spring training. He has been between the Outfield and First Base this spring and has a decent chance of making the roster. Eventually this kid is going to start in San Francisco. The question is when. The answer, I would imagine, is Opening Day 2013 at First Base. I feel that Bell can put up better numbers than Huff at First Base this season, but Huff has more of a presence in the clubhouse. That being said, Huff is only a season removed from a 26 Homer, 86 RBI season in which he helped SanFran to a World Series.
With all of the nitpicking at this lineup, this is still a team with a world class pitching staff and a chance to compete for a division title. The lineup just needs to put up better numbers or the Diamondbacks will have them bested again.
X-FACTORS:
Lineup: C Buster Posey. It's not a question of whether or not he will produce. He will. But his is coming back and that should put a charge back into the Giant's lineup.
Rotation: Ryan Vogelsong. We all know about Lincecum, Cain and Bumgarner. However, can Vogelsong continue the success of his 13 win 2011 campaign?
Bullpen: Santiago Casilla. I see this guy as a better Bishop than Affeldt, who is more of a LOOGY. I'd like to see this guy pitch more innings this season. However, it's the Giants bullpen and you cannot go wrong.
The Kids: SS Brandon Crawford. I'd say the chances of him starting the season at Shortstop is 92 percent, yo!
ROYAL LIST:
#38 OF Gary Brown. Set to start playing in the upper echelon of the Minor Leagues in 2012.
PROJECTION: 2nd Place NL West
-I do not have faith in this team topping the Diamondbacks in 2012. I could very well be wrong though.
No comments:
Post a Comment