Giants Depth Charts: Starting Pitching

 The Giants two top SP's from 2020 are free agents while several years of emphasizing hitting in the draft and international market have left the minor league cupboard shelves almost empty.  This is where FZ is going to earn his paycheck this winter.  

1.  Johnny Cueto R.  DOB:  2/15/1986.  5'11", 229 lbs.  2-3, 5.40, 63.1 IP, 7.96 K/9, 3.69 BB/9.

2.  Logan Webb R.  DOB:  11/18/1996.  6'2", 220 lbs.  3-4, 5.47, 54.1 IP, 7.62 K/9, 3.98 BB/9.

3.  Tyler Anderson L.  DOB:  12/30/1989.  6'3", 215 lbs.  4-3, 4.37, 59.2 IP, 6.18 K/9, 3.77 BB/9.

4.  Tyler Beede R.  DOB:  5/23/1993.  6'3", 211 lbs.  DNP(TJ surgery)

Minor Leagues:  Sean Hjelle R, Seth Corry L, Tristan Beck R, Matt Frisbee R, Jake Wong R(surgery), Jose Marte R, Gregory Santos R, Kai-Wei Teng R, Kervin Castro R, Caleb Kilian R, Trevor McDonald R, Nick Swiney L, Kyle Harrison L, Juan Sanchez L, Jesus Gomez L.

Tyler Beede is not expected back before May or June 2021 so FZ is starting out the offseason with just 3 SP's projected to be available on Opening Day.  If FZ wants to compete for the postseason in 2021, he cannot depend on The Churn alone.  He is going to have to be hunting for arms of every description, right, left, expensive, mid-range, bounceback candidates, dumpster dives.  Getting Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly back would be a strong start, but he's going to have plenty of competition in getting them re-signed.  He should strongly consider a QO for Gausman but who knows what COVID has done to prices in the free agent market?  

As you can see, there is a smattering of interesting names in the minors, none of whom are expected to be ready to start in the majors by Opening Day.  Sean Hjelle could see a midseason callup.

Giants Dept Charts: Right Field

 A total of 11 players patrolled the slightly shortened Triples Alley in 2020, which when you figure there were only 60 games in the season is.....well, a lot!  YtY was the runaway leader in RF innings with about half of the total.  He is the likely full time starter for 2021, while others like Hunter Pence and Jaylin Davis most likely will not be back.  RF Depth Chart:

1.  Mike Yastrzemski  DOB:  8/23/1990.  B-L, T-L.  5'11", 180 lbs.  .297/.400/.568, 14 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 225 PA.

2.  Austin Slater DOB:  12/13/1992.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 197lbs.  .282/.408/.506, 2 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 104 PA(Arbitration Eligble).  

Others:  Joey Rickard(Arbitration Eligible), Luis Alexander Basabe, Daniel Robertson(Arbitration Eligible), Darin Ruf(Arbitration Eligible), Steven Duggar, Joe McCarthy, Jaylin Davis.

Minor Leagues:  Sandro Fabian, Franklin Labour, Harrison Freed, George Bell, Bryan Hernandez.

It's possible the Giants only carry 4 OF's on a 26-man roster.  If that is the case, those 4 will probably be Alex Dickerson, Mauricio Dubon, YtY and Austin Slater with Daniel Robertson swinging between the IF and OF.  I thought I read somewhere that Darin Ruf is a FA, but it seems he is arbitration eligible, which increases the likelihood he will be a 5'th OF which would leave Robertson on the bubble to fight it out with the almost mythical LH infielder for the final positional roster spot.

Again, the Giants RF of the future probably comes out of the pool of elite OF prospects, Heliot Ramos, Hunter Bishop, Luis Matos, Alexander Canario and Jairo Pomares,  but none of them are listed as RF in their minor league roster lines.

Giants Dept Charts: Center Field

Mauricio Dubon emerged as the Giants everyday CF over the shortened course of the 2020 season with Mike Yastrzemski sliding over from RF as the main backup.  

1.  Mauricio Dubon  DOB:  7/19/1994.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 160 lbs.  .274/.337/.389, 4 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 2 SB, 177 PA.

2.  Mike Yastrzemski DOB:  8/23/1990.  B- L, T-L.  5'11", 180 lbs.  .297/.400/.568, 14 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 2 SB, 225 PA.

3.  Steven Duggar  DOB:  11/4/1993.  B- L, T-R.  6'2", 189 lbs.  .176/.222, .235, 2 2B, SB, 36 PA.

4.  Heliot Ramos  DOB:  9/7/1999.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 188 lbs.  Remote Camp.

Minor Leaguers Listed As CF:  Bryce Johnson, Alexander Canario, Jairo Pomares, Tyler Forner, Richgelon Juliana, Grant McCray, Najee Gaskins, PJ Hilson, Carter Williams, Javeyon Williams.

Mauricio Dubon could well be the Giants CF of the forseeable future if he continues to improve.  He needs to smooth out the rough edges on defense and show a bit more power.  It remains to be seen whether any of the Giant top tier OF prospects starting with Heliot Ramos are CF long term.  Right now, if Dubon got hurt or regressed, YtY would likely slide over to RF to cover.  Duggar just hasn't shown he can stay healthy or hit.  There is a lot of buzz that 2021 is the year Heliot Ramos makes his MLB debut

Giants Depth Charts: Left Field

 Nine different players patrolled left field for the Giants in 2020, with Alex Dickerson and Darin Ruf getting the bulk of the innings in a L-R platoon.  Dick is arbitration eligible and will almost certainly be back while Ruf is a free agent who has said he wants to come back.  Here is my Depth Chart as it stands now:

1.  Alex Dickerson  DOB:  5/26/1990.  B-L, T-L.  6'3", 235 lbs.  .298/.371/.576, 10 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 170 PA(Arbitration Eligible).

2.  Austin Slater  DOB:  12/13/1992.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 197 lbs.  .282/.408/.506, 2 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 8 SB, 104 PA(Arbitration Eligible).  

3.  Daniel Robertson  DOB:  3/22/1994.  B-R, T-R.  5'11", 200 lbs.  .333/.417/.333, 24 PA(Arbitration Eligible).

4.  Steven Duggar  DOB:  11/4/1993.  B-L, T-R.  6'2", 189 lbs.  .176/.222/.235, 36 PA.

5.  Luis Alexander Basabe  DOB:  8/26/1996.  B-S, T-R.  6'0", 160 lbs.  .143/.333/.143, 2 SB, 18 PA.

6.  Joe McCarthy  DOB:  2/23/1994.  B-L, T-L.  6'3", 220 lbs.  .000/.000/.000, 10 PA.

Minor League Outfielders Listed as LF:  Heath Quinn, Jacob Heyward, Ismael Munguia, Diego Rincones, Kwan Adkins, Tyler Flores.

Dickerson and Ruf formed an effective L-R platoon in LF in 2020.  Ruf is a FA and wants to come back but Austin Slater could fill the right sided role if he can finally stay healthy.  The position side of the 2021 roster is probably pretty much set except for FZ's "white whale" search for a lefthanded hitting IF.  If he finds one, Slater and YtY are versatile enough that he could go with just 4 OF's plus Robertson, but then there would not be enough room to re-sign Ruf.  So it comes down to Ruf, Robertson and the LH hitting IF competing for the last 2 positional roster spots on a 26 man roster.

It is likely that none of the listed minor leaguers are the Giants LF of the future.  That designation probably belongs to one of the more elite OF prospects from the pool of Heliot Ramos, Hunter Bishop, Luis Matos, Alex Canario and Jairo Pomares although they are all listed at other OF positions for now.  Of course, FZ could just continue to churn through the Alex Dickersons and Darin Rufs out there to fill the position.

Giants Depth Charts: Shortstop

Brandon Crawford will be back at SS for the final year of his contract, but the future of the position is as good as any in baseball.  

1.  Brandon Crawford  DOB:  1/21/1987.  B-L, T-R.  6'2", 227 lbs.  .256/.326/.465, 12 2B, 8 HR, 193 PA.  

2.  Daniel Robertson  DOB:  3/22/1994.  B-R, T- R.  5'11", 200 lbs.  .333/.417/.333, 24 PA.(arbitration eligible).

3.  Mauricio Dubon  DOB:  7/19/1994.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 160 lbs.  .274/.337/.389, 4 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 177 PA.

4.  Donovan Solano  DOB:  12/17/1987.  B-R, T-R.  5'10", 205 lbs.  .326/.365/.463, 15 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 203 PA.(arbitration eligible).

5.  Will Wilson DOB:  7/21/1998.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 184 lbs. DNP(Remote Camp).

6.  Marco Luciano DOB:  9/10/2001.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 178 lbs.  DNP(Remote Camp)

7.   Tyler Fitzgerald DOB:  9/15/1997.  B-R, T-R.  6'3", 205 lbs(2019 draftee).

8.  Jimmy Glowenke DOB:  6/5/1999.  B-R, T-R, 5'10", 185 lbs(2020 draftee).

Others:  Ghordy Santos, Dilan Rosario, Ryan Howard, Aeverson Arteaga, Simon Whiteman.

Brandon Crawford is a lock to be the starting SS one more season.  Mauricio Dubon is probably the starting CF while Solano will likely be back as the starter at 2B.  Daniel Robertson played very well in a SSS after being picked up by the Giants.  The dilemma is FZ wants a lefty hitter for is utility IF and its very difficult to see how Robertson and a lefty hitter both stay on a 26-man roster.  

Marco Luciano is a budding superstar and is a near-lock to be the starting SS from 2022 on unless he moves off the position, but Will Wilson seems more likely to be the one who moves.  Arteaga is an international bonus baby but has a long, long way to go to reach the majors.

Giants Depth Charts: Third Base

 Barring injury, the Giants are set at third base, for better or worse for the next two seasons for which Evan Longoria has a guaranteed contract.  What they lack is depth at the position in the wake of Pablo Sandoval's subpar season and ultimate release.

1.  Evan Longoria  DOB:  10/7/1985.  B-R, T-R.  6'1", 215 lbs.  .254/.297/.425, 10 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 209 PA.

2.  Daniel Robertson DOB:  3/22/1994.  B-R, T-R.  5'11", 200 lbs.  .333/.417/.33, 24 PA.

3.  Will Wilson?  DOB:  7/21/2020.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 184 lbs.  DNP(Sacramento Remote Camp).

3.  Luis Toribio   DOB:  9/28/2000.  B-L, T-R.  6'1", 165 lbs.  DNP(Sacramento Remote Camp).

4.  Casey Schmitt. DOB:  3/1/1999.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 200 lbs.  DNP(Round 2 Draft Pick).

Others:  David Villar, Sean Roby, Jacob Gonzalez, Abdiel Layer, Yorlis Rodriguez, Jean Pena.

Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores both logged more innings at 3B than Pablo Sandoval so I suppose they should be included in the depth chart, but they were terrible defensively FZ is almost certainly going to search for a better option this winter.  Daniel Robertson only played 6 innings at the position in 2020 but played there more in prior years with acceptable defensive numbers.  It's just that he bats RH and FZ openly says he is looking for a LH option to back up 3B, but FZ is going to have to accept he can't have a full platoon at every position, especially if rosters are pared back to 26 for 2021.  I saw some positive reports about Luis Toribio from remote camp and he appears to be a hitting machine in the making.  Casey Schmitt is likely to get plenty of chances as an FZ round 2 draft pick.  As for the "others", Sean Roby impressed with the bat in spring training while David Villar may not have the right plate approach to please FZ and the Giants development gurus.

Giants Depth Charts: Second Base

 Donovan Solano stabilized the second base position for the Giants in 2020 appearing in 45 of 60 games at the position.  

MLB:

1.  Donovan Solano  DOB:  12/17/1987.  B-R, T-R.  5'10", 205 lbs.  .326/.365/.463, 15 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 203 PA.

2.  Wilmer Flores DOB:  8/6/1991.  B-R, T-R.  6'3", 205 lbs.  .268/.315/.515, 11 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 213 PA.

3.  Daniel Robertson DOB:  3/22/1994.  B-R, T-R.  5'11", 200 lbs.  .333/.417/.333, 24 PA.

4.  Mauricio Dubon DOB:  7/19/1994.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 160 lbs.  .274/.337/.389, 4 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 177 PA.

Minors:

Carter Aldrete DOB:  10/12/1997.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 205 lbs.  DNP.

Solano is in his final year of arbitration eligibility.  MLBTR projects his arbitration value $2.2-3.8 M which seems like a great deal from the Giants perspective, so I assume they will find a way to bring him back.  He's coming off his second consecutive fantastic season.  His approach depends on insane BABIP's but they don't call him "Donnie Barrels" for nothing.  At this point, Flores is more of a 1B/DH, but can move over to 2B in a pinch.  Robertson is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility and is projected to get $1.1-1.3 M.  The Giants could cut a below-market deal with him, but FZ openly wants a LH hitting utility guy who could handle both 3B and 2B.  You can't have a full L-R platoon at every position, Farhan!  Mauricio Dubon's future seems to be more in CF than 2B.

The cupboard is bare in the minors.  I believe Kean Wong and Jalen Miller are both minor league FA's who may or may not be back.  Future 2B will likely come from SS prospects who move to 2B or lower cost FA's.  If they bring back Donnie Barrels, they probably don't have to worry about minor league depth for another season.

Giants Depth Charts: First Base

 1.  Brandon Belt.  DOB:  4/20/1988.  B-L, T-L.  .309/.425/.591, 13 2B, 3B, 9 HR, 179 PA.  

2.  Wilmer Flores.  DOB:  8/6/1991.  B-R, T-R.  .268/.310/.439, 11 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 213 PA.

3.  Chris Shaw.  DOB:  10/20/1993.  B-L, T-R.  DNP.

4.  Logan Wyatt DOB:  11/15/1997.  B-L, T-R.  DNP.

FZ has not made first base a priority in his first two years as GM.  That's probably because he actually really likes Brandon Belt and saw an opportunity get more out of him than the previous regime.  For his part, Belt seems to be listening to the new voices and responded with the best season of his career, albeit a very shortened one.  Belt will be back next year for the final season of his contract.  Wilmer Flores who takes a lot of pressure off Belt by more or less platooning with him against lefies will also be back, so there is absolutely not urgency at first base for 2021.  Darin Ruf is another RH bat who is a free agent FZ may try to bring back.  Buster Posey can also play the position although the preference will likely be for Buster to get complete rest on his off days from catching.

It seems pretty obvious that Chris Shaw is not a favorite of the new regime and it's no lock that he will still be on the 40 man roster come December.  It would not shock me if Logan Wyatt is ahead of Shaw on FZ's depth chart.  His hitting profile is significantly more typical of FZ targets.  

Looking past 2021, I believe 1B is a position FZ will fill with low cost FA's like Flores and Ruf and concentrate his drafting and development resources on up-the-middle talent.

Giants Depth Charts: Catcher

It's been a recent tradition here to set up the offseasons with a review of the Giants organizational depth charts for each position.  That's something that can get my juices flowing again.  No set schedule but we'll work our way through it in due time.  We'll start off with the Catcher position. 

1.  Buster Posey:  DOB 3/27/1987.  B-R, T-R.  DNP(Restricted)

2.  Joey Bart:  DOB 12/15/1996.  B-R, T-R.  .233/.288/.320, 5 2B, 2 3B, 2.7 BB%, 36.9 K%, 111 PA.

3. Chadwick Tromp:  DOB 3/21/1995.  B-R, T-R.  .213/.219/.426, 2B, 4 HR, 1.6 BB%, 31.3 K%, 64 PA.

4. Tyler Heineman:  DOB 6/19/1990.  B-S, T-R.  .190/.292/.214, 2B, SB, 8.0 BB%, 12 K%, 50 PA.

5. Aramis Garcia:  DOB:  1/12/1993.  B-R, T-R.  DNP(60 Day IL)

6. Patrick Bailey:  DOB 5/29/1999.  B-S, T-R. Alternate Camp

7.  Ricardo Genoves:  DOB 5/14/1999.  B-R, T-R. Alternate Camp

8. Rayner Santana:  DOB 8/15/2002.  B-R. T-R.  DNP.

First let me say in my opinion Buster Posey absolutely did the right thing in opting out of the season for the sake of his family.  At the same time, given how much his replacements struggled, we have to wonder if his presence behind the plate and in the lineup might have made the difference between getting into the postseason and falling just short.  Now, I am not convinced that a normal 2021 season is a given, but assuming it is, it is exciting to think what having Buster back for the final guaranteed year in his contract as the starting catcher will mean for the season.

I imagine the question of whether it's better for Joey Bart to back up Buster at the MLB level or go back for a little more salt in AAA is the best approach to his development and to the backup catcher situation will be a topic of much discussion.  It appeared that Joey has some issues in his game that could stand some  more polish including game calling, pitch framing and pitch recognition/plate approach on offense.  

Chadwick Tromp showed flashes of impressive power and seemed to improve his D a bit as the season went along.  He would not be a terrible backup to Buster but in FZ's perfect world, the backup catcher hits lefty with some pop.  

Aramis Garcia probably needs to show some serious game in his comeback from injury to stay with the organization given the presence of two first round draft picks in the Giants depth chart.

It would be reasonable to expect Patrick Bailey to start 2021 in San Jose or Richmond.  Ditto, Ricardo Genoves who has been in the organization forever, but it still only 21 yo.

Rayner Santana made some noise in the DSL as a 16 yo but the jump from the DSL to the AZL is always a challenge and he lost a year of potential development due to COVID shutdown.

Look for FZ to acquire a lefty hitting catcher with a little more pop than Tyler Heineman to serve as Buster's back up with Joey Bart going to Sacramento to polish up his game with an eye on 2022.

Blogger's Note

I am back from a long overdue purely R&R vacation which unfortunately started the final day of the regular MLB season.  Also unfortunately, the Giants came up short.  As un-normal as this season was, I found a lot to like about it.  While the Giants were not a good team and were in contention only because of a greatly expanded playoff format, they were still better than I expected, especially if you discount their horrific 8-16 start.  It's generally more rewarding to watch the team you root for get better as the season progresses than to watch them collapse.  

As for the MLB season as a whole, I applaud  MLB for pulling this off.  I honestly did not think they would be able to finish any schedule without a complete shutdown.  That they did, and that over the last month they had zero positive tests, took a lot of planning, hard work and an amazing level of discipline and cooperation by the players.  Maybe, just maybe, we can all look to MLB as model for how to live with this virus, which is still as deadly as ever and does not appear to be going away anytime soon.

As for new rules, I loved the addition of the DH to the NL.  It produced a better, more interesting entertainment product on the field.  I may write more about that in an upcoming post.  The extra-innings rule....well, I can take it or leave it.  I generally stop caring who wins after it goes into extras and I turn games off when that happens.  I kept on turning them off this season, so only got to see the runner at 2B thing a couple of times anyway.  I like the 3-batter minimum rule.  There is nothing more boring in later innings than watching pitching changes.  This rule effectively reduced those changes and did not otherwise take away from the game-watching experience.  

Finally, for the first time since I started blogging 11 years ago, I did not miss the grind of writing daily posts when I was on my R&R. In fact, it was difficult to get started writing this post, but I felt my readership deserved an explanation and roadmap for the future.  I apologize for not being able to give you a more definitive vision for the future of the blog.  I am not closing the door to resuming daily posts at some point in the future, but I need a break.  I will likely still write posts from time-to-time but only when I feel like it and have something I need to say.  If I think of a series of posts to write about, they may resume on a daily basis for a given series, but I am not going to hold myself to any set schedule.  I will make a decision about resuming daily Game Wraps when the time comes next spring but at this point my inclination is it's just not fun anymore, which is the only reason why I have ever blogged.

In the meantime, I look forward to what FZ has up his sleeve for the offseason.