San Francisco Giants: 3 pitchers that could help the team’s starting rotation down the stretch

Feb 23, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Clayton Blackburn (68) poses for a photo during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Option No. 2: Clayton Blackburn (activate from Rivercats) 

While several of his former teammates have been busy making headlines for the big-league ball club, right-hander Clayton Blackburn has quietly carved out an impressive 2015 campaign with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. In 18 starts with the Rivercats this year, the 22-year-old has gone 8-4 with a 3.23 ERA (second best in the PCL among starters) and 85 strikeouts.

Blackburn has never been highly touted going off stuff and physical build, but he could be another under-the-radar talent (read: a Duffy, Heston or Tomlinson-type) waiting to bust out.

While throwing a youngster like Blackburn into a high-pressure pennant race might be ill advised, Heston’s early-season success could pique the organization’s intrigue.

Blackburn is not currently on the Giants’ 40-man roster, but there are several prospects he could swap in for to make him eligible for a September activation.

Next: On to options No. 3