Baseball season is right around the corner and the Giants already committed their first act of World Series Title-Run Torture by costing me lunch to a co-worker in losing to the A's last night in AZ. This is a fantastic sign/omen so let's do a preview!
Starting Rotation:
Madison Bumgarner- Our horse, our pitching example and #1 Ace. Not worried about him in the slightest, in fact, I think this will be his best season ever. Why? Bummy-G pitched his arm off for 435 innings over 2 seasons and just got his first full off-season to rest. A rested Bumgarner in an even year? Oh, and he still mashes HR's like no other pitcher and is entering his prime at 26 years-old. That leads me to..
Mijo Bold Prediction: Mad-Bum will win the 2016 Cy Young and hit 7 Home Runs. (All Star) (Kershaw be damned) 20-4, 2.14 ERA (That 20th win will electrify AT&T and propel the Giants into the playoffs)
Madison Bumgarner- Our horse, our pitching example and #1 Ace. Not worried about him in the slightest, in fact, I think this will be his best season ever. Why? Bummy-G pitched his arm off for 435 innings over 2 seasons and just got his first full off-season to rest. A rested Bumgarner in an even year? Oh, and he still mashes HR's like no other pitcher and is entering his prime at 26 years-old. That leads me to..
Mijo Bold Prediction: Mad-Bum will win the 2016 Cy Young and hit 7 Home Runs. (All Star) (Kershaw be damned) 20-4, 2.14 ERA (That 20th win will electrify AT&T and propel the Giants into the playoffs)
Johnny Cueto- Still not sure what to think of the Earth-Cueto. So far he's taken a scary pitch off the dome and getting taken deep a lot down in AZ. Still, it's only Spring Training and no a cause for concern just yet. I like the Earth Cueto as a #2 pitcher and hope he can provide some consistency throughout the season. He cost $130 million for a good reason, right?
Mijo Prediction- 15-8, 3.38 ERA
Jeff Samardzija- Another horse on the mound/addition from this off season. The Shark got beat up last season in Chicago and gave up the most hits among qualified starting pitchers in the AL. He looked nothing close to the dominate pitcher he was for the A's/Cubs a few seasons ago. That's the bad news. The good news is that the Shark still eats innings like crazy and has the athletic, gamer-intense mentality similar to Bummy-G/Peavy. With a better team/coaching/defense behind him, the Giants could get a steal here and get a great/consistent performance this season from the Shark. I'll error on the safe side of my prediction but The Shark's numbers have a good chance at being even better.
Mijo Prediction: 13-8, 3.61 ERA
Jake Peavy- I actually think Peavy could have a decent season this year, he's got the intensity at the mound I can't help but love. History and MLB experts are against me but Peavy looked decent towards the end of last season. Maybe some rest did the older guy some good and will have a solid bounce-back year. Been getting torched down in AZ so far but again, not going to worry about Spring Training.
Mijo Prediction: 8-4, 3.83 ERA (Will miss some starts from a couple DL visits)
Matt Cain- Making 20 million dollars this season for the Giants is no joke, time for Cain to start delivering better than his past few seasons. Seems like Cain will frequent the DL more these days and there's little hope he can return to his days when his stuff was dominate. Thanks for the performances in past years but if Cain doesn't perform well, time to plan moving on from him in 2017.
Mijo Prediction: 5-10 5.35 ERA (Will miss some starts from a couple DL visits)
Mijo Prediction- 15-8, 3.38 ERA
Jeff Samardzija- Another horse on the mound/addition from this off season. The Shark got beat up last season in Chicago and gave up the most hits among qualified starting pitchers in the AL. He looked nothing close to the dominate pitcher he was for the A's/Cubs a few seasons ago. That's the bad news. The good news is that the Shark still eats innings like crazy and has the athletic, gamer-intense mentality similar to Bummy-G/Peavy. With a better team/coaching/defense behind him, the Giants could get a steal here and get a great/consistent performance this season from the Shark. I'll error on the safe side of my prediction but The Shark's numbers have a good chance at being even better.
Mijo Prediction: 13-8, 3.61 ERA
Jake Peavy- I actually think Peavy could have a decent season this year, he's got the intensity at the mound I can't help but love. History and MLB experts are against me but Peavy looked decent towards the end of last season. Maybe some rest did the older guy some good and will have a solid bounce-back year. Been getting torched down in AZ so far but again, not going to worry about Spring Training.
Mijo Prediction: 8-4, 3.83 ERA (Will miss some starts from a couple DL visits)
Matt Cain- Making 20 million dollars this season for the Giants is no joke, time for Cain to start delivering better than his past few seasons. Seems like Cain will frequent the DL more these days and there's little hope he can return to his days when his stuff was dominate. Thanks for the performances in past years but if Cain doesn't perform well, time to plan moving on from him in 2017.
Mijo Prediction: 5-10 5.35 ERA (Will miss some starts from a couple DL visits)
Bullpen:
Not going to go through every Bullpen pitcher individually because it'll pretty much look the same as last season. Heston looks bigger/stronger so far in ST so look for him to pick up the starting rotation slack when a rotation pitcher hits the DL and be our long-man option when things go south. Casilla/Romo could be getting old/hit so look for Osich/Strickland to starting rising to replace those 8/9 spots. Lopez is a nice lefty to have in your back pocket and maybe some minor league guys will trickle up as well. Never be concerned about the bullpen because Raghetti/Bochy handle their staff better than any other combo in the MLB. We will rank in the top 10 of the MLB in bullpen production as usual.
Not going to go through every Bullpen pitcher individually because it'll pretty much look the same as last season. Heston looks bigger/stronger so far in ST so look for him to pick up the starting rotation slack when a rotation pitcher hits the DL and be our long-man option when things go south. Casilla/Romo could be getting old/hit so look for Osich/Strickland to starting rising to replace those 8/9 spots. Lopez is a nice lefty to have in your back pocket and maybe some minor league guys will trickle up as well. Never be concerned about the bullpen because Raghetti/Bochy handle their staff better than any other combo in the MLB. We will rank in the top 10 of the MLB in bullpen production as usual.
Catchers:
Buster Posey- Best catcher in the MLB, top 5 catcher of all-time already, you are an idiot if you think otherwise. The new Derek Jeter of baseball in terms of consistency and back-bone of the Giants. Not much has to be said, he will likely earn a couple MVP votes again and quietly be one of the best players in the game without ESPN mentioning his name more than 3 times all year. You want Posey at catcher, handling our pitching staff as mush as possible, then get him rested by playing 1B every now and then. No rush to make him move to 1B permanently if he's the best catcher in the game.
Mijo Prediction: .309avg, 16HRs, 96RBI (All-Star)
Andrew Susac- Needs to stay healthy, but is a nice option behind Posey and will fill in great as a pinch-hitter, late inning replacement or starter when Posey is at 1B. I think he should have a decent season and turn some heads when Posey isn't behind the plate, gotta be healthy though..
Mijo Prediction: .250avg, 7HRs, 30RBIs
Buster Posey- Best catcher in the MLB, top 5 catcher of all-time already, you are an idiot if you think otherwise. The new Derek Jeter of baseball in terms of consistency and back-bone of the Giants. Not much has to be said, he will likely earn a couple MVP votes again and quietly be one of the best players in the game without ESPN mentioning his name more than 3 times all year. You want Posey at catcher, handling our pitching staff as mush as possible, then get him rested by playing 1B every now and then. No rush to make him move to 1B permanently if he's the best catcher in the game.
Mijo Prediction: .309avg, 16HRs, 96RBI (All-Star)
Andrew Susac- Needs to stay healthy, but is a nice option behind Posey and will fill in great as a pinch-hitter, late inning replacement or starter when Posey is at 1B. I think he should have a decent season and turn some heads when Posey isn't behind the plate, gotta be healthy though..
Mijo Prediction: .250avg, 7HRs, 30RBIs
Infielders
Brandon Crawford- Just signed a new contract extension w/ the G's after having a career-year at the plate and earning his first well-deserved Gold Glove. Mirroring or improving his performance at the plate from last season will be a tough task, but you can always rely on his glove being one of the best in baseball.
Mijo Prediction: .262avg, 19HRs, 82 RBIs (All-Star)
Brandon Belt- Ugh, this guy. You never know when to jump on ship or fire a cannon ball at it, and neither do the Giants. Belt signed another 1-year deal this off season to avoid arbitration for the 3rd straight year. One day, he's the Belt smashing HR's, the next he's on the DL or going 2 for his last 25. His one consistency is his glove and that'll always have value with the Giants. My prediction is a complete guess that I hold no confidence in, could be completely better or worse.
Mijo Prediction: .275avg, 21HRs, 79RBIs
Matt Duffy- The guy who came out of nowhere last season will continue to do so. I have high hopes for Matt Duffy simply because he's out prove people wrong but still humble and has great character about it. Guys like that consistently improve and so will Duffy this season. Now that he has the 3B starting position locked down to start the 2016 season, he will continue to swing the bat with great contact and play a gritty defense. Duffy will further distance himself as being far and away the better/more consistent player at 3B than Pablo Sandoval ever was or will be.
Mijo Prediction: .302avg, 14HRs, 80RBIs (flirts with or could be an All-Star)
Joe Panik- Spent most of the second half of last season on the DL, according to a source I DO NOT trust (The Chosen One's former baseball/basketball coach, John Whitman) Panik's back is going to be even worse this year. I don't know how you land on that because he's looked just fine in AZ and says he feels great but I guess back injuries can be really finicky . Whatever, I think the guy is a stud and will do just fine.
Mijo Prediction: .310avg 12HRs, 78RBIs
(Bench) Kelby Tomlinson/Grant Green: Both these guys are having good springs and are great options/back-ups. It's finally clear that Adrianza simply can't hang and we will look into calling someone up like Kyle Blanks or Connor Gillispie or maybe even top-prospect Christian Arroyo (if he continues his rapid accent) should Green or Kelby not work out. Kelby is already impressing many for more playing time, maybe Panik's back has issues, the slack can be picked up without issue. Green looks big and strong down in AZ and has the glove Bochy likes. It'll just be nice to to have two decent hitters instead of the .190-hole last season with Ehire Adrianza.
Brandon Crawford- Just signed a new contract extension w/ the G's after having a career-year at the plate and earning his first well-deserved Gold Glove. Mirroring or improving his performance at the plate from last season will be a tough task, but you can always rely on his glove being one of the best in baseball.
Mijo Prediction: .262avg, 19HRs, 82 RBIs (All-Star)
Brandon Belt- Ugh, this guy. You never know when to jump on ship or fire a cannon ball at it, and neither do the Giants. Belt signed another 1-year deal this off season to avoid arbitration for the 3rd straight year. One day, he's the Belt smashing HR's, the next he's on the DL or going 2 for his last 25. His one consistency is his glove and that'll always have value with the Giants. My prediction is a complete guess that I hold no confidence in, could be completely better or worse.
Mijo Prediction: .275avg, 21HRs, 79RBIs
Matt Duffy- The guy who came out of nowhere last season will continue to do so. I have high hopes for Matt Duffy simply because he's out prove people wrong but still humble and has great character about it. Guys like that consistently improve and so will Duffy this season. Now that he has the 3B starting position locked down to start the 2016 season, he will continue to swing the bat with great contact and play a gritty defense. Duffy will further distance himself as being far and away the better/more consistent player at 3B than Pablo Sandoval ever was or will be.
Mijo Prediction: .302avg, 14HRs, 80RBIs (flirts with or could be an All-Star)
Joe Panik- Spent most of the second half of last season on the DL, according to a source I DO NOT trust (The Chosen One's former baseball/basketball coach, John Whitman) Panik's back is going to be even worse this year. I don't know how you land on that because he's looked just fine in AZ and says he feels great but I guess back injuries can be really finicky . Whatever, I think the guy is a stud and will do just fine.
Mijo Prediction: .310avg 12HRs, 78RBIs
(Bench) Kelby Tomlinson/Grant Green: Both these guys are having good springs and are great options/back-ups. It's finally clear that Adrianza simply can't hang and we will look into calling someone up like Kyle Blanks or Connor Gillispie or maybe even top-prospect Christian Arroyo (if he continues his rapid accent) should Green or Kelby not work out. Kelby is already impressing many for more playing time, maybe Panik's back has issues, the slack can be picked up without issue. Green looks big and strong down in AZ and has the glove Bochy likes. It'll just be nice to to have two decent hitters instead of the .190-hole last season with Ehire Adrianza.
Outfield
Hunter Pence- The Spiritual Leader of the Giants clubhouse, Hunter Pence will come back in 2016 after going through the worst injury-plagued season of his career. Normally an "Iron Man" and consistently starting most games every season, Pence struggled to stay on the field last year. Nevertheless, I think Pence will have a career year and finish 3rd or 4th in MVP voting (that's right). This guy will bounce back hard and lead the Giants back into the playoffs all by himself if he has to.
Mijo Bold Prediction: .315avg, 22HRs and 100RBIs (All Star) (Pence will be the Giants engine all year and lead them over the Dodgers for the NL West Title)
Denard Span- Not too excited for this guy in all honesty. Seems like the Giants could've swooped on Dexter Fowler or brought up a guy from their farm system to compete for the starting CF spot but they instead signed Span. Span missed the majority of last season with an Achilles injury but in the past has been a consistent top of the line-up hitter with a great glove. What I've seen so far in ST worries me, his contact looks weak and I'm not sure his injuries will stay away for him to play over 100 games. I hope I'm wrong and Span returns to his productive/consistent self, but my gut is telling me to be concerned.
Mijo Prediction: .265avg, 3 HR's 42RBIs
Angel Pagan: Another Giant with back injuries and consistent trips to the DL. Pagan was once dominate at the top of our lineup and smashed triples at At&T like nobody else had done before but that seems like ages ago. Now Pagan can't seem to stay healthy or hit for power/consistency at the plate. Pagan says he feels 100% this season and is willing to make the move to LF to accommodate Span's arrival (always been a great franchise guy). I wonder if he's going to bounce back strong in a contract-year, seems unlikely. It might behoove the Giants to go with a farm system guy sooner rather than later if Pagan's production doesn't improve.
Mijo Prediction: .255avg, 4HR's 35RBIs
(Bench) Gregor Blanco/Gorkys Hernandez/Mac Williamson/Jarrett Parker: The one guy here who for sure makes the roster is Gregor Blanco, he has a good glove and frustratingly does just enough at the plate to keep him on Bochy's good side. All three of the other options are having great springs down in AZ. I think Williamson will go to the minors for more ABs, really up to Bochy to choose between Gorkys/Parker. Any of these three options will do, all of them have a great bat and play defense well so we will see if/when they are needed or will be called up.
Hunter Pence- The Spiritual Leader of the Giants clubhouse, Hunter Pence will come back in 2016 after going through the worst injury-plagued season of his career. Normally an "Iron Man" and consistently starting most games every season, Pence struggled to stay on the field last year. Nevertheless, I think Pence will have a career year and finish 3rd or 4th in MVP voting (that's right). This guy will bounce back hard and lead the Giants back into the playoffs all by himself if he has to.
Mijo Bold Prediction: .315avg, 22HRs and 100RBIs (All Star) (Pence will be the Giants engine all year and lead them over the Dodgers for the NL West Title)
Denard Span- Not too excited for this guy in all honesty. Seems like the Giants could've swooped on Dexter Fowler or brought up a guy from their farm system to compete for the starting CF spot but they instead signed Span. Span missed the majority of last season with an Achilles injury but in the past has been a consistent top of the line-up hitter with a great glove. What I've seen so far in ST worries me, his contact looks weak and I'm not sure his injuries will stay away for him to play over 100 games. I hope I'm wrong and Span returns to his productive/consistent self, but my gut is telling me to be concerned.
Mijo Prediction: .265avg, 3 HR's 42RBIs
Angel Pagan: Another Giant with back injuries and consistent trips to the DL. Pagan was once dominate at the top of our lineup and smashed triples at At&T like nobody else had done before but that seems like ages ago. Now Pagan can't seem to stay healthy or hit for power/consistency at the plate. Pagan says he feels 100% this season and is willing to make the move to LF to accommodate Span's arrival (always been a great franchise guy). I wonder if he's going to bounce back strong in a contract-year, seems unlikely. It might behoove the Giants to go with a farm system guy sooner rather than later if Pagan's production doesn't improve.
Mijo Prediction: .255avg, 4HR's 35RBIs
(Bench) Gregor Blanco/Gorkys Hernandez/Mac Williamson/Jarrett Parker: The one guy here who for sure makes the roster is Gregor Blanco, he has a good glove and frustratingly does just enough at the plate to keep him on Bochy's good side. All three of the other options are having great springs down in AZ. I think Williamson will go to the minors for more ABs, really up to Bochy to choose between Gorkys/Parker. Any of these three options will do, all of them have a great bat and play defense well so we will see if/when they are needed or will be called up.
Manager
Bruce Bochy- The best manager in all of baseball and it's not close. No other active manager has 3 World Series Titles under their belt. The man who can take the torture and turn it into post-season magic. I'm all in this even-year! World Series #4 or bust! Bring on the torture because this is the kind of roster that will provide it all season long then stomp through the playoffs like no one ever expects them to.
Mijo Bold Prediction: Giants win the World Series
Bruce Bochy- The best manager in all of baseball and it's not close. No other active manager has 3 World Series Titles under their belt. The man who can take the torture and turn it into post-season magic. I'm all in this even-year! World Series #4 or bust! Bring on the torture because this is the kind of roster that will provide it all season long then stomp through the playoffs like no one ever expects them to.
Mijo Bold Prediction: Giants win the World Series
By: El Mijo
PS- People are actually favoring the Cubs to win the World Series??? I don't care what roster you have, you are not a favorite to win a World Series till you actually win one within the last century. The Cubs should NEVER be a favorite, for anything! If they ever win the Title, it's a complete shock or surprise. I'd take the odds for a Giants team that has won at least 3 World Series Titles in the past 6 years over a team that hasn't won since 1908. Pure logic/math is on my side. (All In On the G's!)