San Francisco Giants
Glaring need(s): Starting rotation
So the San Francisco Giants are mortal. Even they needed a break from the even year, but they will once again be another team to beat this time around. If their pitching can handle it.
The outfield “situation” isn’t something to worry about, but more or less this team’s hopes lie on what will be happening on the mound.
Veteran pitchers Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija are returning, but Cain has a history plagued with injuries and only pitched in 17 games last season.
The young arms include Ty Blach (poised for a breakout campaign), Albert Suarez, Chris Stratton, Kyle Crick and Clayton Blackburn. They don’t all have major league appearances, but even the ones who do aren’t exactly walking on to the starting rotation easily.
Blach showed promise last season for the Giants with a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings, but it goes without saying that’s a small sample size. He also proved himself during the NLDS pitching in 3.1 scoreless innings. He’s the top contender so far for that fifth spot, but more evaluations will occur during spring training.