For years, the San Francisco Giants‘ success was built around their starting pitching. Now, the Giants enter 2015 with a lot of questions surrounding the rotation. They have a true ace, but behind him, there’s no true stability. Two pitchers are coming off surgery, and one of them is 39 years old. Another starter was fantastic down the stretch, but he seemed to wear down in the postseason. The fifth starter is a former Cy Young Award-winner, but he has become a mess in recent years.
Rotation – Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson, Tim Lincecum
Giants’ fans have had the privilege of watching Bumgarner go from a fresh-faced 20-year old making his big league debut and develop into a true number-one and one of the best postseason pitchers in history. 2014 was his best season so far, as he won 18 games, plus another four in October. He posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.090 WHIP, slightly up from his 2.77 ERA and 1.033 WHIP in 2013. He also became one of the most-feared hitting pitchers, as he hit .258 with four home runs, including two grand slams, and 15 RBI.
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There are some questions about how Bumgarner will hold up heading into 2015, as he threw 270 innings in 2014. But if anyone can withstand that, it’s this big, burly, country boy.
For years, Cain was one of the most consistent, and underrated, pitchers in baseball. He has struggled the last two seasons compared to his career averages, as he’s gone 10-17 with a 4.06 ERA and 1.157 WHIP. 2014 was cut short by elbow surgery to remove bone chips, and he had a similar procedure done to his ankle in the offseason. He should be ready to go by Spring Training, and the Giants hope he can return to the pitcher he was his first eight seasons, when he went 85-78, coupled with a 3.27 ERA and 1.173WHIP.
Jul 4, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Peavy got off to a nightmarish start in 2014 with the Boston Red Sox, as he began the year 1-9 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.427 WHIP in 20 starts. After a deadline deal to bring Peavy back to the West Coast, he became a new pitcher. He went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA and 1.042 WHIP in 12 starts, and picked up a lot of the slack after Cain’s injury. He re-signed with the Giants on a two-year deal, and will slide into the rotation behind Bum and Cain. He doesn’t need to be a 2.17 ERA pitcher again, but if he can find a healthy balance between that and 4.72, he should do just fine.
Hudson’s 2014 was almost the complete opposite of Peavy’s, as he got off to a tremendous start before wearing down. In the first half, he went 7-6 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.101 WHIP, earning himself his fourth All-Star nod. The second half was a different story, as he went 2-7 with a 4.73 ERA, and finished with a losing record for the first time in his career. Hudson is coming off surgery to remove bone chips from his surgically repaired right ankle, which leaves his status for opening day in question. He should be ready, but at 39, setbacks are not out of the question. The Giants hope they can get more of the first half Huddy in what looks to be his final season.
Lincecum is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. At one point in 2014, he racked up a 23.1 inning shutout streak, including his second no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. Take that away, and his season ERA was 5.58. Manager Bruce Bochy has already said that Lincecum will rejoin the rotation next year, but his leash is going to have to be short. Big Time Timmy Jim will need to live up to his nickname and step up big time next season.
Other Options – Yusmeiro Petit, Clayton Blackburn, Kyle Crick, Ty Blach
Petit enters 2015 as the long reliever, a role in which he excels. In 49 relief innings, he posted a 1.84 ERA, .857 WHIP, and .177 opponent average. As a starter, his ERA jumped to 5.03, but with a pretty strong 1.132 WHIP. He could continue to make spot starts, but entering the rotation permanently is unlikely. If Lincecum falters, or Hudson isn’t ready, Petit could fill the spot until a prospect is ready, or Huddy can return.
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Crick against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Blackburn may be the closest among pitching prospects to a call-up, and if not for a rib injury, he might have made the expanded roster in September. He has a career 2.98 ERA, 1.054 WHIP, and 1.7 walk per nine innings rate. All three of those numbers show that Blackburn has great potential. He’s a great control pitcher, has three plus pitches, and fantastic mechanics for a 22-year old pitcher. If Lincecum can’t handle the fifth starter’s job, Blackburn may be the first prospect to get a shot at cracking the rotation.
Crick is the Giants’ top prospect, and has fantastic stuff. His control, however, is a serious problem. In 2014, he led the Eastern League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, but he also walked 6.1 per nine. There’s no question he has the pure, raw stuff to be an ace, but he needs to harness it. Working with Pitching Coach Dave Righetti will be a key factor in Crick’s future. His chance may come in 2015.
Blach seems to be the most major league-ready of the pitching prospects. He’s durable, barely walks anyone, and has ascended the minor league ranks very quickly. He spent all of 2014 with the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, which is a high level for a player in just his second professional season. He finished 8-8, but posted a 3.13 ERA and 1.284 WHIP. Blach is another good young pitcher who can push for a rotation spot if the opportunity arises next season
If you want to learn more about these pitching prospects, in-depth scouting reports can be found here for Blackburn, here for Crick, and here for Blach.
Bumgarner is the clear ace of the Giants. But the man they call MadBum can only pitch one out of five games. The other starters in the rotation will need to step up to the rubber and pick up some of the slack.