The Giants are still going into this MLB season in the midst of a rebuild, but they will look improved this year if their pitching rotation can stay healthy and contribute.
Lineup
The Giants lineup is a very underrated lineup as they have veteran players. Giants legend C Buster Posey is back as Top prospect C Joey Bart will be his replacement in the near future when he does retire. 1B Brandon Belt is back along with newly acquired 2B Tommy La Stella who will be the much-needed power and contact bat to this lineup. SS Brandon Crawford and 3B Evan Longoria will round out the infield. The outfield will consist of LF Alex Dickerson, CF Mauricio Dubon, and RF Mike Yastrzemski who can break out this season for the Giants if he can produce at the plate and stay healthy, UTIL Wilmer Flores can play all over the infield and adds much-needed depth for the Giants. This lineup is not as flashy as the other lineups in baseball, but they do have hitters that can produce.
Starting Rotation
Former World Series MVP RHP Johnny Cueto will be back this year healthy alongside RHP Kevin Gausman who will both anchor this rotation. Newly acquired RHP Anthony DeSclafani and RHP Aaron Sanchez will be in the back end of the rotation and have the potential to be great on a new team this season. RHP Logan Webb will be the fifth starter in this rotation. The Giants rotation is not complete but they have pitchers with experience in the MLB. Health will be the issue for this starting rotation. If all their starters can remain healthy it would be big. The Giants need their rotation to produce. These pitchers have the potential to be good when they produce.
Bullpen
Newly acquired LHP Jake McGee will be the new closer for the Giants with RHP Tyler Rogers, RHP Matt Wisler, and LHP Jarlin Garcia being the top bullpen arms in this Giants bullpen. The bullpen is not the best and this could be a problem for this team in the late innings. If one of these pitchers can break out and have a good season, the Giants can win games. The rotation can get the job done but the bullpen would be the big concern for this team.
Prediction
The Giants are going in the right direction in their rebuild but it will take a couple of years. It will be a few years before they can make the playoffs. They have a nice lineup and starting rotation. The bullpen will give them trouble this season for sure. The Giants could get a wild card spot if they stay hot. It will depend on how the season plays out and if they can produce on the field. Health will be the key to this team’s success. Also, they have a strong farm system that will definitely make them better soon.