2017 San Francisco Giants Top 10 Insider
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Talent Infusion: Draft Report Card
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SEASON IN A SENTENCE: For half a season, the Giants’ even-year magic appeared to be holding, as San Francisco entered the all-star break with baseball’s best record at 57-33. A shattered bullpen and punchless lineup led to a 30-42 second half, however, and Division Series loss to the Cubs.
HIGH POINT: The Giants heated up most in late June, winning 13 of 15 with two of the losses coming in Madison Bumgarner starts. The first win in in the streak was a walk-off win over the Dodgers that included a four-hit, two-run rally off L.A. closer Kenley Jansen, capped by a groundball RBI single by Buster Posey for a 6-5 victory.
LOW POINT: The Giants managed to win five of their last six to claim a wild-card berth and advanced past the Mets with a complete-game shutout by Bumgarner, but the bullpen that led the majors in blown saves in the regular season lived up to that reputation in Game Four of the Division Series against the Cubs. Leading Chicago 5-2 in the ninth, the Giants used five pitchers, who combined to give up four hits, a walk and four runs as the Cubs eliminated the Giants. It was an all-too-familiar way for the Giants to lose a game.
NOTABLE ROOKIES: As expected, Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson both saw time and showed power in the Giants’ outfield, combining for 11 homers, though neither sewed up a regular spot. Righty Derek Law became a key bullpen piece, posting a 2.13 ERA while ranking fourth with 61 appearances.
KEY TRANSACTIONS: After signing Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija in the offseason, the Giants still needed pitching help in the rotation and used infielder Matt Duffy as part of a package to acquire lefty Matt Moore, who was erratic as a Giant. They also used prospects to pick up infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Twins (he mostly played third base for the Giants) and lefty Will Smith from the Brewers, who came in a deal that cost former top prospect Andrew Susac and 2015 first-rounder Phil Bickford.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Only one Giants full-season affiliate, low Class A Augusta, managed a winning record and made its league playoffs. However, the system had strong individual performances, including having four members of its 2015 draft class—lefty Andrew Suarez, first baseman Chris Shaw, shortstop C.J. Hinojosa and outfielder Steve Duggar—finish the season in Double-A.
OPENING DAY PAYROLL: $172,253,778 (6th)
| BEST TOOLS | |
| Best Hitter for Average | Christian Arroyo |
| Best Power Hitter | Chris Shaw |
| Best Strike-Zone Discipline | Steven Duggar |
| Fastest Baserunner | Ronnie Jebavy |
| Best Athlete | Steven Duggar |
| Best Fastball | Ray Black |
| Best Curveball | Tyler Beede |
| Best Slider | Andrew Suarez |
| Best Changeup | Tyler Beede |
| Best Control | Ty Blach |
| Best Defensive Catcher | Aramis Garcia |
| Best Defensive Infielder | Christian Arroyo |
| Best Infield Arm | Ryder Jones |
| Best Defensive Outfielder | Ronnie Jebavy |
| Best Outfield Arm | Sandro Fabian |
| PROJECTED 2020 LINEUP | |
| Catcher | Buster Posey |
| First Base | Brandon Belt |
| Second Base | Joe Panik |
| Third Base | Christian Arroyo |
| Shortstop | Brandon Crawford |
| Left Field | Bryan Reynolds |
| Center Field | Steven Duggar |
| Right Field | Heath Quinn |
| No. 1 Starter | Madison Bumgarner |
| No. 2 Starter | Johnny Cueto |
| No. 3 Starter | Jeff Samardzija |
| No. 4 Starter | Tyler Beede |
| No. 5 Starter | Andrew Suarez |
| Closer | Mark Melancon |
| TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE | ||
| Year | Player, Pos. | 2016 Org |
| 2007 | Tim Lincecum, rhp | Angels |
| 2008 | Angel Villalona, 1b | Giants |
| 2009 | Madison Bumgarner, lhp | Giants |
| 2010 | Buster Posey, c | Giants |
| 2011 | Brandon Belt, 1b | Giants |
| 2012 | Gary Brown, of | Atlantic League |
| 2013 | Kyle Crick, rhp | Giants |
| 2014 | Kyle Crick, rhp | Giants |
| 2015 | Andrew Susac, c | Giants |
| 2016 | Christian Arroyo, ss | Giants |
| TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE | ||
| Year | Player, Pos. | 2016 Org |
| 2007 | Madison Bumgarner, lhp | Giants |
| 2008 | Buster Posey, rhp | Giants |
| 2009 | Zack Wheeler, rhp | Mets |
| 2010 | Gary Brown, of | Atlantic League |
| 2011 | Joe Panik, ss | Giants |
| 2012 | Chris Stratton, rhp | Giants |
| 2013 | Christian Arroyo, ss | Giants |
| 2014 | Tyler Beede, rhp | Giants |
| 2015 | Phil Bickford, rhp | Brewers |
| 2016 | Bryan Reynolds (2nd round) | Giants |
| LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY | |
| Buster Posey, 2008 | $6,200,000 |
| Lucius Fox, 2015 | $6,000,000 |
| Zack Wheeler, 2009 | $3,300,000 |
| Rafael Rodriguez, 2008 | $2,550,000 |
| Phil Bickford, 2015 | $2,333,800 |
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