#19
The San Francisco Giants took a big step back in 2022 after being the surprise winner of the NL West in 2021. Will 2023 see a return to the postseason in San Francisco?
#14 - 3rd in NL West
MIH - Brandon Belt
MIP - Logan Webb
PTW - Heliot Ramos
2022 Results
#15 - 81-81, 3rd in NL West
Highest WAR (Position) - Mike Yastrzemski
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Carlos Rodon
I don't know if anyone expected the Giants win 107 games again in 2022, especially in this elite division with juggernauts in the Dodgers and Padres. Finishing the season at .500 and outside the playoff picture may have been a lower fall than anyone was hoping for. Their pitching was pretty elite, with Carlos Rodon anchoring the staff. The lineup struggled to hit, with little Yaz finishing 5th on the team in WAR as their best hitter. As has been the norm for the last decade or so, the Giants remained one of the older teams in the league, with only 3 of their starting 9 playing 2022 under the age of 30.
Additions / Subtractions
This offseason served as a little bit of a reset for the Giants. Carlos Rodon signed a megadeal with the Yankees. Veterans Evan Longoria, Tommy La Stella, and Brandon Belt moved on. The Giants did bring some players in, like starters Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling, reliever Taylor Rogers, and outfielders Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger. The biggest story of the Giants offseason who they didn't sign. The Giants have been trying for the last few years to find a superstar to be their new face of the franchise. They pushed hard a few years ago for Bryce Harper and lost. This offseason, for a few hours, they thought they had signed Aaron Judge, then they didn't. For a few days, they thought they signed Carlos Correa, then they didn't. Both for different reasons. Judge wanted to be a Yankee, and Correa's ankle couldn't be cleared by the medical staff. What's left is a roster with a gaping hole in the star category. They have a lot of good players, but really no elite players.
Most Important Hitter
Michael Conforto
This spot could just as easily go to Mitch Haniger as they are both in similar situations, but Michael Conforto comes in with a bigger question mark next to his name. With the lack of the big name signing, the Giants will be leaning on both of these new signings. What makes them question marks? Both have struggled to stay healthy. Haniger has been injured more than healthy in his career, and Conforto didn't play at all in 2022 with an injury. Both are All Star caliber players at their best. The question is if they can stay on the field. If the Giants get 140+ games from both Conforto and Haniger, this lineup is going to be a lot more productive than anyone thinks.
Most Important Pitcher
Sean Manaea
Carlos Rodon left a huge hole in the starting rotation, and one of the pitchers asked to try and help fill that hole is new acquisition Sean Manaea. He has shown signs of being a very good player when he was in Oakland. Last year in San Diego, he was not very good at all. He posted only a 75 ERA+ and a standard ERA just under 5.00. They are hoping for a bounce back, and San Francisco seems to be a good spot for pitchers to have that bounce back season.
Prospect to Watch
Casey Schmitt
For some reason, the Giants tend to struggle building up a strong farm system. They are currently league average, which is better than they have been in awhile. They have two prospects in the Top 100, but the prospect most likely to have an impact in 2023 is their 4th best prospect, Casey Schmitt. Able to play both shortstop and third base, Schmitt has opened eyes with his bat. Working his way through 3 levels in 2022, Schmitt hit .293 with 21 homers and 78 RBI's. With an uneasy situation entering the season at third base, Schmitt could snag that job sooner rather than later.
2023 Prediction
4th in NL West
There are just too many question marks for the Giants this season. Can Conforto and Haniger stay healthy? Can Manaea bounce back? Can Joey Bart start to hit? How much longer can Brandon Crawford be a productive player? Even at their best in 2023, they have a ceiling of 3rd in their division. This is probably their floor (they won't be worse than the Rockies). Could they compete for a Wild Card spot? Sure, but everything has to go right. I don't see it happening.
Fearless Prediction
Gabe Kapler is fired after the 2023 season.
Outside of 2021, Gabe Kapler has been a manager of mediocre team. Is this all his fault? Not at all. Could he be the scapegoat? Easily. I've never fully understood Kapler as a manager. He just rubs me the wrong way. The Giants are usually very patient with their managers, but if they continue to try and recruit star players, look for Kapler to be fired to show they are ready for a new era.
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