San Francisco Giants:Options For Last Spot In The Bullpen
Kyle Crick, Clayton Blackburn, Adalberto Mejia, Steven Okert, Ray Black
There are a number of pitching prospects knocking on the door for San Francisco. Along with those mentioned above, there are even more that have been consistent at the lower levels. Ty Blach, Cory Gearrin, and Derek Law have all shown that they are ready to make the next step.
Crick is an interesting one, as he was moved to the bullpen after being drafted as a frontline starter. His arm still shows promise, it’s his consistency that needs to come around. But he is getting into that dangerous age where prospects turn into minor league depth, and that is not the best place to be. Hopefully he impresses this camp.
Blackburn is one who is ascending through the organization. He went 10-4 with a 2.85 ERA in Triple-A Sacramento last year. He is primarily a starter, so he may be the one who gets the call to fill in when someone needs to skip a start. Not likely to be on the opening day roster though.
Mejia is a lefty starter, who is also just waiting his turn. He will be in the minors for another go-around until his number is called, or he is used in a trade.
Okert and Black both have the ability to be on the Giants right now if the team wasn’t so deep. Both relievers have the inside track in the organization when the big club expands its roster in September.
Okert, a lefty, was a closer at two levels in 2014, and saved six more games last year in Sacramento.
Black could be this year’s Francisco Rodriguez if the Giants are playing in October, with a fastball that teams have trouble keeping up with.
Both pitchers are ticketed for Sacramento in 2016, but with a breakout spring, anything can happen.