San Francisco Giants:Projected 25 Man Roster – Part One (Infield and Pitchers)
Pitching Staff
- Starter – Madison Bumgarner
- Starter – Johnny Cueto
- Starter – Jeff Samardzija
- Starter – Jake Peavy
- Starter – Matt Cain
Apr 12, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain (18) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
This group is the best in baseball if Matt Cain is, Matt Cain. Even if he is Mike LaCoss, the staff is up there with the best.
Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto make up a formidable duo against the opposition’s front two. And Samardzija is a competitor in the Ryan Vogelsong vein. So he will always give you his peak performance. Jake Peavy has that same quality, and being asked to be the fourth starter is a spot where he should over achieve.
And then there is Cain. His ability to pitch in high leverage games in the past will go far in getting back into it. If he is completely healthy, being the fifth starter will allow him to focus on building his arm strength up for a playoff push.
- Reliever – Santiago Casilla
- Reliever – Sergio Romo
- Reliever – Javier Lopez
- Reliever – Hunter Strickland
- Reliever – Josh Osich
- Reliever – Chris Heston
- Reliever – George Kontos
Apr 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46) shakes hands with catcher Buster Posey (28) after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Here is a quality group of relievers, but there are still some possible changes available. If the team decides to bring back Tim Lincecum, then Chris Heston or George Kontos would be replaced. If a free agent is signed, maybe it is to fill a late-inning role. Or we could see a spring training miracle, and a surprising candidate pushes his way onto the team.
But as it stands, Santiago Casilla will start as the closer, with Hunter Strickland ready to take over at a moments notice. And with arms like Michael Broadway knocking on the door, the team is well-equipped with fire-ballers for the late innings.
Sergio Romo will enter his ninth season with the team. And Javier Lopez continues to be effective against most lefties. Josh Osich will take over the duties left behind by the retirement of Jeremey Affeldt. Heston and Kontos will share long-man, clean up duties. Or Yusmeiro Petit‘s old job.