Notable Additions: Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, Jung Hoo Lee
Notable Losses: Brandon Crawford, Joc Pederson, JD Davis
The Giants were in the wild card until September. They ended up finishing 79-83, and Gabe Kapler was fired. Upset with their performance, they went out and made a bunch of splash signings, including Jorge Soler, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, and Blake Snell. They already have a solid core, and with these signings, it should be enough to make the playoffs in the NL.
Projected Starters
C: Patrick Bailey
1B: LaMonte Wade Jr.
2B: Thairo Estrada
3B: Matt Chapman
SS: Nick Ahmed
LF: Michael Conforto
CF: Jung Hoo Lee
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
DH: Jorge Soler
The Giants needed a significant upgrade in the batting order, and they got that. Last season, the Giants ranked 26th in OPS as a team. Wilmer Flores, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski, and Joc Pederson were the only Giants players with an OPS above .750. Wilmer Flores was the only player with over 20 home runs in 2023. However, with the additions of Jorge Soler, who can hit 30 or more home runs, Jung Hoo-Lee, who is a walking .300 or better batting average, and Matt Chapman, who can hit for a fair bit of power, the Giants are much improved. I give their hitting a very respectable 7/10.
Projected Starting Rotation
Logan Webb
Blake Snell
Kyle Harrison
Jordan Hicks
Alex Cobb
The addition of Blake Snell is massive for the Giants. Coming off his second Cy Young, Snell had a 2.25 ERA with 234 strikeouts. His FIP was more than a point higher at 3.34 in 2023. Now, Snell is in a pitcher’s park, and his FIP may be even lower, which is scary to think about. Kyle Harrison is a promising young rookie, Hicks looks excellent in Spring Training, and Cobb is a solid veteran. This is a very underrated pitching staff. I give them a 7/10.
The Giants bullpen has some great pieces, including Camilo Doval, Luke Jackson, Tyler and Taylor Rogers, and Ryan Walker. All of them had an ERA lower than 3.90 in 2023. With Oracle Park being a pitchers’ park, highly talented relievers always have a chance to perform. I give their bullpen a 7/10.
Sock’s 2 X-Factors
Logan Webb: Logan Webb finished second in the NL Cy Young voting last year, and for good reason. He has a 3.25 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 194 strikeouts, and a league-leading 216 innings pitched. Webb ranks in the 99th percentile for ground ball and walk percentage. Entering his age-27 season, I fully expect Webb to have another Cy Young-caliber season.
Camilo Doval: Doval led the league in saves in 2023 with 39. He had a 2.93 ERA, 2.77 FIP, and 11.6 K/9 in 67.2 innings of work. He is in the 92nd percentile for strikeout percentage, whiff percentage, and expected batting average. He’s never had an ERA above 3.00 in his career, and he is only 26. I think you could have a real discussion about him being a top-5 closer in baseball.
Sleeper: Jung Hoo Lee: I was surprised to find out who Jung Hoo Lee was when I did some research. I am fully aware of who he is now. In the KBO, he hit .340/.407/.491 in seven seasons. Usually, in the MLB, batting averages like that drop, and it probably will. Regardless, the Giants have a potential .300 hitter who could be a reliable leadoff man for years.
Prospects to Look Forward To
Carson Whisenhunt: Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Whisenhunt has one of the best change-ups in the minor leagues. His fastball touches 97 MPH and has good break from the left side. In 16 starts last season, he had a 2.45 ERA with 83 strikeouts. He is a potential callup candidate for the Giants later on this season.
Bryce Eldridge: Drafted 16th overall in the 2023 MLB draft, Eldridge is a 6’7″ monster with great raw power at 19 years old. In 31 games, he hit .294/.400/.505 with 6 home runs. It won’t be long before he is a top prospect in baseball.
GM For a Day
I believe in the signing of Jung Hoo Lee as the Giants center fielder for a long time. That leaves Luis Matos on the outside looking in. A team needing a young center fielder may be willing to acquire him. The first move that pops into my head is for the Cardinals to trade one of their older starters for Matos. If the Cardinals aren’t in it by July, Sonny Gray could be an option. Either way, I’d see what they can get for Matos.
Projected Finish 87-75, 3rd in the NL West, 6th seed in the NL
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