2009 Preview: Giants relying more on farm system

The Giants' farm system used to inspire "Grapes of Wrath" references. Now there's fruit clustered on the vine, and some of it will be sampled at AT&T Park this season.

Five homegrown players are expected to be in the opening day lineup Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park — by far the most in 13 seasons under General Manager Brian Sabean.

Young infielders Pablo Sandoval, Travis Ishikawa and Emmanuel Burriss made solid contact in the Cactus League and played with moxie to lock down starting jobs. Fred Lewis is the everyday left fielder. And you might be familiar with the skinny kid on the mound — reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.

It's the biggest bumper crop since the 1995 opener also featured five homegrown Giants — a group that included Matt Williams, Robby Thompson and Royce Clayton.

And it's an unprecedented shift for Sabean, who typically has built teams by patching complementary veterans around Barry Bonds. In 12 previous opening-day lineups during the Sabean era, only seven homegrown Giants had their names on the card: Bill Mueller, Shawn Estes, Marvin Benard, Armando Rios, Pedro Feliz, Lance Niekro and Brian Bocock.

With most of the Bonds-era veterans finally off the roster, youth will be served this season. And hitters such as Sandoval and Ishikawa must be poised and productive over 162 games if the Giants hope to contend behind their Cy Young-studded rotation in the National League West.

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2009 San Francisco Giants: In Depth Preview

by Ranier Reglos

It's that time of the year orange and black fans—the San Francisco Giants are looking more than ready for the 2009 baseball season. Spring training is coming to an end and AT&T park will lay dormant no more.

So what can Giants fans is expect from this 2009 season? How about a spectacular staring rotation led by Tim Lincecum and a full season of Pablo Sandoval.

While any casual fan can point out the offensive woes of the team that last year was just plain awful. It is safe to say this year's offense will be somewhat improved.

Now it might be too much to ask Edgar Renteria to produce numbers as he did in St. Louis, but any production in the shortstop position will be well appreciated.

Also helping the offense this year will be a full season of both Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa. While Travis Ishikawa is having a good Spring Training, it is the hitting machine that is Pablo Sandoval Giants fans are getting excited about.

It's no secret that Pablo "Little Money" Sandoval can hit, his .442 batting average speaks for itself. Did I mention he also has a .463 OBP and .692 SLG this spring as well?

Now while Giants fans can't expect too much from Sandoval his bat, along with Ishikawa it will be more than welcomed.

The Giants that roam the outfield are healthier so expect Aaron Rowand and Fred Lewis to produce improved numbers. Randy Winn as under appreciated by baseball fans as he is, will have yet another consistent year.

While I haven't mentioned second base yet, it is likely Emmanuel Burriss gets the job—sorry Kevin Frandsen fans, but numbers do not lie. Burriss has also been having a great spring hitting .400 while driving in nine RBI with a couple of doubles and a triple.

Let's not forget the man behind the plate, Bengie Molina. His leadership and presence in the clubhouse is undeniable. It doesn't hurt that his best offensive numbers has come as a Giant, but can he repeat that production for the third consecutive season?

For our reserve spots look to have Nate Schierholtz as the fourth outfielder, Juan Uribe, Rich Aurilia, and let's hope that Jesus Guzman makes the team because he's definitely making a case, too, this Spring Training.

Now if there were any questions about our offense, there is none for our pitching.

There is guy named Tim Lincecum, I'm not too sure if you've heard of him. But he did win the CY Young and lead the league in strikeouts. Now sarcasm aside, Tim Lincecum is the ace followed by Randy Johnson, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, and Johnathan Sanchez.

The starting rotation is looking to be the top five in the league because all of them can eat up innings and punch out batters.

While we know what to expect from Tim Lincecum this year how will Randy Johnson fair?

Going for his 300th win this year, Randy Johnson is out to prove that signing him wasn't just for that reason. He has looked as healthy as any 45-year-old could be and has been enjoying a strong spring. Posting a 2.38 ERA while punching out 12 in 11 1/3 innings.

There is always a strong possibility that Johnson's back can give him trouble as the season wears on, but he has stated himself that he hasn't been this healthy in a long while.

He will also be mentoring a Matt Cain who in the last couple of seasons has been a victim of low run support. My prediction is that Cain will have the breakout season all the Giants fans have been expecting, because of an improved bullpen that can protect leads.

The back end of the rotation looks nice as Barry Zito and Johnathan Sanchez look to improve. Now I am optimistic, because Zito is not the go-to guy anymore so the pressure is off. His September starts last season and spring starts this year should be an indication that Zito is finally settling in.

With Sanchez its a matter of finding consistency and pitching better from the stretch. If Sanchez solves this, the Giants will be the premiere starting staff of the league.

That improved bullpen I talked about will be joined by two new faces, Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt. Both provide the stabilization in the bullpen the team was yearning for. With Brian Wilson having one season under his belt and with some other young arms the bullpen this year can expect less blown saves and leads.

Projected Lineup

1. Randy Winn
2. Edgar Renteria
3. Pablo Sandoval
4. Bengie Molina
5. Fred Lewis
6. Aaron Rowand
7. Travis Ishikawa
8. Emmanuel Burriss

Starting Rotation

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Randy Johnson
3. Matt Cain
4. Barry Zito
5. Johnathan Sanchez



Bullpen

1. Brian Wilson
2. Jeremy Affeldt
3. Bob Howry
4. Brandon Medders *
5. Osiris Matos *
6. Alex Hinshaw *

Reserves

1. Steve Holm
2. Rich Aurilia
3. Nate Schierholtz
4. Juan Uribe *
5. Jesus Guzman *
6. Eugenio Velez *

* not a guarantee but my personal projections on who will make the team

Source: bleacherreport.com

2009 San Francisco Giants Preview

In an effort to get every preview done by the season opener, you may notice that some of the team previews will be of the shorter variety. With some of the “extra information” not included, this should make for an easier read. Enjoy!

Key Additions: Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria, Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry, Rich Aurilia, Juan Uribe
Key Subtractions: Dave Roberts, Omar Vizquel

A look at the lineup:

CA – Bengie Molina will return as the catcher and is expected to hit cleanup. Stephen Holm will be the backup and Pablo Sandoval could also see some action when not manning the hot corner.

1B – Travis Ishikawa is expected to get a majority of the work at first base. He will bat in the bottom third of the order and will be pressed for time from Rich Aurilia and John Bowker.

2B – Emmanuel Burriss has hit the lights out this Spring and will likely win the battle for the second baseman job. He will hit eighth. Kevin Frandsen is in the mix for the starting job and, along with Eugenio Velez, will see work as the backup.

SS – Edgar Renteria’s fourth stint with a National League club will be as the starting shortstop and two-hitter for the Giants. Renteria made a name for himself with Florida and St. Louis before struggling in Boston. He was then traded to Atlanta, where he excelled, but struggled with Detroit last season before signing with San Francisco this past offseason. Juan Uribe and Burriss could also see work at shortstop.

3B – Pablo Sandoval can play several positions, but will be called upon to man third base for a majority of the team’s games in 2009 and is expected to hit third. When he is catching or getting a break, Aurilia and Uribe will see some action.

LF – Fred Lewis will get the majority of his playing time as the top option in left field. He is expected to protect Molina as the five hitter. Nate Schierholtz will be the top reserve, with Velez and Bowker also likely to see some time.

CF – Aaron Rowand returns to center field and will hit sixth. Lewis could also see some time out in center and Velez is likely to get a few tries as well.

RF – Randy Winn was solid at the top of the order in 2008 and will get another shot this season. Backing him up will be Schierholtz and Bowker.

A look at the pitching:

Starters – Reigning National League Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum heads what should be a very intimidating rotation. Matt Cain should only improve on a respectable 2008 campaign, while Randy Johnson was brought in to add some firepower. No one really knows what to expect from Barry Zito, but the pressure of carrying the “ace” tag is no longer on his shoulders. Jonathan Sanchez returns as the fifth starter. Noah Lowry, Patrick Misch, and Joe Martinez would be the top options for a spot start or two.

Relievers – Brian Wilson returns as the closer and will be part of what should be a respectable bullpen. Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt were brought in to provide reliable arms in the late innings. They join a bullpen that will likely also include Sergio Romo, Jack Taschner, Alex Hinshaw, Luis Perdomo, Osiris Matos, and Merkin Valdez.

Outlook:

Don’t sleep on the Giants in 2009. They won’t make a Rays-like turnaround, but they could be a surprise contender for the NL West division title. They are not as good as the Dodgers, but match up pretty well with the division’s other teams. The offense is young and relatively balanced and the pitching staff is pretty impressive.

Prediction:

The Giants will improve on their 72-win season last year, but will fall short of the playoffs with a record of 80-82.

Source: rbimagazine.com

2009 San Francisco Giants Preview

In an effort to get every preview done by the season opener, you may notice that some of the team previews will be of the shorter variety. With some of the “extra information” not included, this should make for an easier read. Enjoy!

Key Additions: Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria, Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry, Rich Aurilia, Juan Uribe
Key Subtractions: Dave Roberts, Omar Vizquel

A look at the lineup:

CA – Bengie Molina will return as the catcher and is expected to hit cleanup. Stephen Holm will be the backup and Pablo Sandoval could also see some action when not manning the hot corner.

1B – Travis Ishikawa is expected to get a majority of the work at first base. He will bat in the bottom third of the order and will be pressed for time from Rich Aurilia and John Bowker.

2B – Emmanuel Burriss has hit the lights out this Spring and will likely win the battle for the second baseman job. He will hit eighth. Kevin Frandsen is in the mix for the starting job and, along with Eugenio Velez, will see work as the backup.

SS – Edgar Renteria’s fourth stint with a National League club will be as the starting shortstop and two-hitter for the Giants. Renteria made a name for himself with Florida and St. Louis before struggling in Boston. He was then traded to Atlanta, where he excelled, but struggled with Detroit last season before signing with San Francisco this past offseason. Juan Uribe and Burriss could also see work at shortstop.

3B – Pablo Sandoval can play several positions, but will be called upon to man third base for a majority of the team’s games in 2009 and is expected to hit third. When he is catching or getting a break, Aurilia and Uribe will see some action.

LF – Fred Lewis will get the majority of his playing time as the top option in left field. He is expected to protect Molina as the five hitter. Nate Schierholtz will be the top reserve, with Velez and Bowker also likely to see some time.

CF – Aaron Rowand returns to center field and will hit sixth. Lewis could also see some time out in center and Velez is likely to get a few tries as well.

RF – Randy Winn was solid at the top of the order in 2008 and will get another shot this season. Backing him up will be Schierholtz and Bowker.

A look at the pitching:

Starters – Reigning National League Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum heads what should be a very intimidating rotation. Matt Cain should only improve on a respectable 2008 campaign, while Randy Johnson was brought in to add some firepower. No one really knows what to expect from Barry Zito, but the pressure of carrying the “ace” tag is no longer on his shoulders. Jonathan Sanchez returns as the fifth starter. Noah Lowry, Patrick Misch, and Joe Martinez would be the top options for a spot start or two.

Relievers – Brian Wilson returns as the closer and will be part of what should be a respectable bullpen. Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt were brought in to provide reliable arms in the late innings. They join a bullpen that will likely also include Sergio Romo, Jack Taschner, Alex Hinshaw, Luis Perdomo, Osiris Matos, and Merkin Valdez.

Outlook:

Don’t sleep on the Giants in 2009. They won’t make a Rays-like turnaround, but they could be a surprise contender for the NL West division title. They are not as good as the Dodgers, but match up pretty well with the division’s other teams. The offense is young and relatively balanced and the pitching staff is pretty impressive.

Prediction:

The Giants will improve on their 72-win season last year, but will fall short of the playoffs with a record of 80-82.

Source: rbimagazine.com