2021 Pre-Season Profile: San Francisco Giants

 #18

The San Francisco Giants were a big surprise in 2020, almost making the expanded playoff field.  Can this team on the verge of a rebuild repeat that success in 2021?

2020 Predictions

#27 - 5th in NL West

MIH - Mike Yastrzemski

MIP - Jeff Samardzija

PTW - Joey Bart

FP - Half of the Giants' Opening Day lineup will not be on the roster by the end of the season.

2020 Results

#17 - 29-31, 3rd in NL West

In Gabe Kapler's first season leading the Giants, he took this roster mixed with young prospects and champion veterans and almost make the playoffs.  The most impressive player of the season was my Most Important Hitter, Mike Yastrzemski, who led the team in almost every offensive category.  They also did all this with their MVP-winning catcher, Buster Posey, opting out of the season.

Additions / Subtractions

The Giants made very little noise this offseason, not really signing any notable free agents.  They did let Jeff Samardzija leave in free agency (who remains a free agent) and signed starter Kevin Gausman to a one year qualifying offer.  They do bring back Buster Posey after opting out last season.  A possible sneaky good move is the signing of Aaron Sanchez for the rotation.

Most Important Hitter

Buster Posey

I have mentioned him several times already, but the storyline surrounding Buster Posey this season is so intriguing.  We haven't seen him play baseball since 2019, and he is reaching a point in his career where he might not be able to be counted on as an everyday catcher.  If he doesn't catch, he would play first base and take at bats from Brandon Belt, the Giants' second best hitter in 2020.  If he catches, he blocks Joey Bart, the top prospect in the Giants' system.  The Giants really needed to NL to have a DH this year.  Instead, they are stuck with a decision to make, and it all revolves around what kind of production they get out of Buster Posey.

Most Important Pitcher

Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto did not perform well in 2020, pitching to only a 79 ERA+.  He is entering the last year of his contract with the Giants in his age 35 season.  With a good year, Cueto could end up with one more good contract somewhere in the league next offseason.  If he struggles again, it not only could hurt the Giants' chances, but it could spell the end of his colorful career.

Prospect to Watch

Joey Bart

This was last year's pick, and I don't like repeating prospect picks like this.  With that said, the Giants don't have any other impactful prospects that look like they could be ready in 2021, and like I already spelled out, the storyline surrounding him, Posey, and Brandon Belt is just too fascinating.  With no Buster in 2020, Bart got to play 33 games behind the plate for the big club with minimal success.  Although his bat struggled, he still has the tools to shine at the plate and hit with a lot of power.  It's just a matter of when he is going to get his opportunity to be a mainstay in the lineup.

2021 Prediction

3rd in NL West

Let's face it ... everyone knows the top two teams in this division.  It's really a battle for 3rd between everyone else.  The Giants took huge strides forward in 2020, and I don't necessarily think it was a fluke, however 3rd in the division is their peak in 2021.

Fearless Prediction

At least two of the Giants' starting infielders will be traded mid-season.

I had a similar prediction last season, but this season seems so much ore likely.  If the Giants see they can't make the postseason in 2021, there is a good chance they start unloading some veteran players about to become free agents as many teams do.  This has a little more weight when you consider it is the core of the Giants' World Series runs of the last decade.  Among players entering their contract years are Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford.  It will be a painful day for Giants Nation when any of these players end up in another jersey, but it's very likely a couple of these get traded before the Deadline in 2021.

2020 Pre-Season Profile: San Francisco Giants

#27

The San Francisco Giants sent Bruce Bochy off to retirement in 2019 with an unexpected run at a possible playoff spot.  What can be expected of the Giants now that their legendary leader has moved on?

2019 Predictions

#24 - 5th in NL West

MIH: Steven Duggar

MIP: Dereck Rodriguez

PTW: Tyler Beede

FP: Madison Bumgarner will be traded to the Brewers mid-season.

2019 Results

#19 - 77-85, 3rd in NL West

I had a lot of things wrong in my predictions for the Giants last season.  After bringing in new GM Farhan Zaidi, the general expectation was that a rebuild would start immediately.  Two things changed that plan: Bruce Bochy announcing 2019 would be his last season, and the team actually playing pretty good for most of the year.  The fact that the team played well is kind of head scratching all things considered.  I predicted their Most Important Hitter last year would be Steven Duggar, who only played 73 games and is starting 2020 in the minors.  I said their Most Important Pitcher was Dereck Rodriguez, who had a terrible season and is fighting to stay in the rotation starting 2020.  Tyler Beede got a decent amount of playing time in 2019 but didn't break out, and now he is out for all of 2020 with Tommy John surgery.  Everything I thought needed to happen for the Giants to have some success last year didn't happen, and they had more success than anyone expected.  Even ace Madison Bumgarner, who everyone thought was going to be traded mid-season, ended up riding out the rest of 2019 with the Giants before hitting the free agent market simply because the Giants were trying to contend.  Never underestimate the magic of Bruce Bochy.

Additions / Subtractions

It is rare that the change of manager can so greatly alter a franchise, but Bochy had been around for so long and had come to define who the Giants were that his retirement is the biggest subtraction of the offseason.  Replacing him is the young, energetic, analytics-driven (everything Bochy isn't) Gabe Kapler, fresh off his failed managerial gig with the Phillies.  The other big subtraction was the inevitable departure of Madison Bumgarner, who signed with division rival Arizona.  The additions this offseason resemble a team starting a rebuild, as the Giants brought in a bunch of veterans looking to rebound and possibly be traded mid-season.  So enter starting pitchers like Kevin Gausman, Drew Smyly, and Tyson Ross as well as Giants legend Hunter Pence returning to the Bay Area.  Possibly the most interesting addition for the team is the return of Johnny Cueto, who was out for almost all of 2019 with Tommy John.

Most Important Hitter

Mike Yastrzemski

One of the best stories of 2019 on any team was the story of Mike Yastrzemski.  With a name like that, it is hard to hide the family relation.  The grandson of Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, Mike made his debut in 2019 which everyone paid attention to, mainly because of the family connection.  Then, something unexpected happened; he was really good.  Mike finished the season with a .272 average, 21 homers, 55 RBI, .518 slugging, and a 123 OPS+.  His 2.8 WAR was third on the Giants behind only Jeff Samardzija and MadBum, making him the best position player on the team, all this in only 107 games.  Having played himself into the Giants long term plans, little Yaz is now entering 2020 as the everyday centerfielder.  However, the question is can he repeat his production?  If his sophomore season is anything like his rookie year, the Giants just found yet another gem to be a foundational piece moving forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Jeff Samardzija

Let's not kid ourselves, this is a rebuilding year for the Giants.  With Bochy gone, no one expects to see the miraculous run of 2019 again.  With that said, a lot of veterans are going to be playing for what a possible trade mid-season.  The most likely candidate for that is Jeff Samardzija.  Samardzija is entering the final year of his 5 year, $90 million deal he signed with the Giants, and outside of one injury-plagued year, he has really pitched well for them.  Last season, he was their best player in terms of WAR.  Now he is entering his age 35 season and a walk year.  A solid 2020 campaign might bring about one more decent payday for Samardzija as well as a possible mid-season trade to a contender.  I think he gets traded regardless, however how much he brings back is dependent on how well he performs.

Prospect to Watch

Joey Bart

As the Giants have taken a downward turn the last few seasons, one positive has been the replenishing of a depleted farm system.  The Giants had now prospects in the top 100 just a few short years ago.  Now they have five prospects ranking among the league's best, and the top of the list should make a splash in 2020.  Joey Bart is a former #2 overall pick in the 2018 draft and now the 14th best prospect in all of baseball.  This catcher is really the whole package.  He can hit, has power, and has the potential to be a Gold Glove caliber defender behind the plate.  The face of the Giants franchise for the last decade has been catcher Buster Posey, however look for him to move to another position so Joey Bart can become the new face of the Giants for the next decade.

2020 Prediction

5th in NL West

Last season, Farhan Zaidi was brought in to rebuild the Giants from the ground up using the new age model that teams like the Rays and Dodgers have mastered.  That plan was stalled for a year after Bruce Bochy had one last heroic run in him.  Now that he is retired, look for the full rebuild to take shape.  The Giants are not competing this year, but they are headed in the right direction.  I was not a fan of Gabe Kapler in Philly, but I think he fits well in San Fran.  He is like the Jason Kidd of MLB.  You could see him being a good coach/manager, but you don't start him off with a star-studded, win now roster.  You start him with a young rebuilding roster.  The Phillies were Kapler's Brooklyn Nets, and the Giants are Kapler's Milwaukee Bucks.  He can learn and grow along with his roster.  I like what they are doing, but it won't lead to success in 2020.

Fearless Prediction

Half of the Giants' Opening Day lineup will not be on the roster by the end of the season.

One of the biggest problems with a rebuild is the veterans that are still under contract that block the young prospects from getting experience.  The Giants are filled with that problem, especially on the infield.  Players like Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria, and even Buster Posey are entering their mid-30's likely not to be on the roster when the Giants are ready to compete again.  In a true rebuild, players like these get traded when they might have maximum value.  That could very well be mid-season for most of these players, especially Belt, Crawford, Longoria, and others like Hunter Pence and maybe even Johnny Cueto.  Something needs to happen to make room for both Joey Bart and Buster Posey in the lineup.  I see a lot of roster movement and turnover in 2020 for the Giants.

2017 Pre-Season Profile: San Francisco Giants

#11

The streak was broken!  For the first time since 2008, the Giants did not emerge as champions on an even numbered year.  Another streak that has lasted just as long as missing the playoffs on odd numbered years.  Will that continue in 2017?

My 2016 Predictions

1st in NL West, win World Series

The San Francisco Giants come home with MVP, Cy Young, and World Series trophies.

2016 Results

87-75, 2nd in NL West, WILD CARD, lost in NLDS

Last year, I was sticking with the streak until it proved me wrong.  Well, it proved me wrong in 2016.  The Giants even made the playoffs!  They had shown over the last decade that they were unstoppable as long as they make the postseason.  Madison Bumgarner did prove he is more than just a postseason pitcher as he had a dominant season, finishing 4th in the Cy Young voting.  Buster Posey was solid but not quite dominant in his season.  They were really good, but they ran into history when they lost to the Cubs.

Additions / Subtractions

The Giants had a huge offseason in 2016, signing both Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to bolster the rotation.  Picking up Matt Moore and Eduardo Nunez in mid-season trades are huge bonuses moving into 2017.  However, if there has been one weakness for the Giants during this amazing run they have had, it has been their bullpen.  In 2010, 2012, and 2014, three different pitchers closed out the final game, including MadBum in 2014 because Bruce Bochy didn't trust anyone in the bullpen.  They tried to address this this offseason by signing closer Mark Melancon.  For the first time in awhile, the ninth inning will be taken care of in 2017.

Most Important Hitter

Joe Panik

The core of the Giants have been together for awhile.  They are starting to age.  One of the younger kids in their lineup is second baseman Joe Panik.  Panik burst on the scene in 2014 as he became one of the stars of their postseason run.  He followed that up with a strong 2015, making his first All Star Team.  2016 was a massive disappointment as his bat fell asleep for the entire season.  With the age of the Giants' roster, guys like Panik need to step up and show they can become stars for this team.

Most Important Pitcher

Jeff Samardzija

The Giants were expecting great things from their two big signings last year.  Johnny Cueto didn't disappoint as he competed with Madisno Bumgarner for best pitcher on the team.  Although Jeff Samardzija wasn't bad, he also was much less than dominant.  Samardzija has had a few down seasons recently since he left the Cubs.  The Giants were hoping he would emerge as the third ace on the staff, making them near unbeatable.  Now, he is entering the 2017 season not even as their third starter as Matt Moore has passed him up.  Samardzija needs to start to pitch like he is being paid; as an elite superstar in the game.

Player to Watch

Tyler Beede

Outside of the bullpen, another weakness of the Giants' organization over this current run has been their farm system.  They have maintained their aging core, trading prospects to help win now.  This has led to a system that is in the bottom third of the league, sporting just two prospects in baseball's Top 100.  Their top prospect might be a difference maker down the stretch in 2017.  Tyler Beede is a 23 year old starting pitcher that has been working his way up through the Giants' system since he was drafted in 2014.  Look for him to either be a contributor near the end of the season or be a key piece in another trade to help the Giants win now.

2017 Prediction

3rd in NL West

Ten teams make the playoffs.  I have the Giants 11th.  They will be the best team to not make October this season.  They have a strong roster top to bottom as they do every year, however it is hard for a team like this to hold up throughout the full season.  Their age is going to catch up with them, leading to potential injuries.  Injuries will challenge depth, which the Giants lack.  Look for a bounceback in 2018, but the window for this current Giants group is closing quickly.

Fearless Prediction

Buster Posey and Hunter Pence will miss a combined total of 162+ games.

When the Giants struggle, it is because of injuries to key bats in their order.  The heart and soul of their lineup are Buster Posey and Hunter Pence.  When Posey stays healthy, the Giants succeed.  To help with this, Posey is playing more and more first base to avoid the grind of catching every day.  Hunter Pence has been marred by injuries the last two seasons.  Before that, he played every day.  His body appears to be breaking down though.  Injuries to these two will slow this team down enough to keep them away from where they want to be.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants followed up their World Series win in 2014 by not making the playoffs in 2015.  They have won the World Series the last three even numbered years.  Can they do it again in 2016?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 3rd in NL West

2015 Result: 84-78, 2nd in NL West

The Giants had what could be considered a disappointing season in 2015, even though they finished over .500.  This is such a bizarre pattern they have established these last five seasons.  In 2010, they win the World Series.  In 2011, they don't make the playoffs.  In 2012, they win the World Series.  In 2013, they don't make the playoffs.  In 2014, they win the World Series.  In 2015, they don't make the playoffs.  I would love to see what would happen if they actually made the playoffs in an odd numbered year.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

The Giants went against what they normally do and had a fairly active offseason.  They added Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija to an already strong rotation, while adding Denard Span to the outfield.  They had few notable departures, most notable in name rather than impact to the club.  In bringing in Cueto and Samardzija, they let longtime giants Ryan Vogelsong and Tim Lincecum walk, while Tim Hudson retired.

Most Important Hitter

Hunter Pence

Part of what led to the Giants' struggles in 2015 was the injury to Hunter Pence that limited him to just 52 games.  Pence is a contributor on the field, but also a great chemistry guy.  He needs to be on the field for the Giants to have the kind of season they hope for.

Most Important Pitcher

Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last five seasons, but he had a terrible (by his standards) season in 2015.  This offseason he signed a big contract paying him as if last year didn't happen.  That is exactly what the Giants need him to be.  Bumgarner, Cueto, and Samardzija can be one of the best top three in any rotation in the league, but Cueto and Samardzija both have to be better than last year.

Player to Watch

Josh Osich

The Giants have a fairly weak farm system.  However, when you have such a veteran lineup, there is little need for many rookies to have huge impacts.  With that said, here is one that will be on the Opening Day roster.  Josh Osich just barely stayed under the limit for service time to still be considered a rookie in 2016.  Look for him to have an impact as a left-handed specialist out of the Giants' bullpen this season.

2016 Prediction

1st in NL West, win World Series

Why not!  This pattern is ridiculous.  However, this prediction is less about that and more about the fact that the Giants might have their best team since this crazy run started.  Pitching has always been a strength of this team, but this is the best it has been since Lincecum was winning Cy Youngs.  Buster Posey is also the best catcher in baseball.  Complementary pieces like Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford, and Matt Duffy fill out a very deep lineup with few weaknesses.  Also, don't forget, they have what might be the greatest postseason performer of all time.  If they make the playoffs, be prepared to be MadBum'ed once again.  It seems inevitable.

Fearless Prediction

The San Francisco Giants come home with MVP, Cy Young, and World Series trophies.

This is a pretty tall order, but not out of the question.  Buster Posey is a contender for MVP every season, and Madison Bumgarner might actually show some of his freak dominance in the regular season after having a full offseason of rest.  This has only happened five times, and not since 1988.  It would be a crazy feat, but not something that should surprise anyone.

MLB Year in Review: 2014-2015 Wraparound Season

I miss the days when baseball was culturally relevant.  The All Star Break every year is the one time where baseball is all that is happening.  The Break has even been extended another day in recent years to be a 4 day break to stop and focus on the season so far and the stretch run yet to come.  Instead, this leads to just 24 hours of baseball gimmicks, started by listening to the tired Chris Berman, making pretty much his only ESPN appearance outside of football season, call a Home Run Derby and finishing with interviews of All Stars by people who obviously could care less about baseball.  Once the All Star Game is over?  We are back to the NFL and which franchise players will get their long-term deal done.  (Don't think it's a coincidence that an NFL deadline day is encroaching on baseball's week.)  Even at the ESPY's last night, it was shown just how little baseball is in the public mindset when Madison Bumgarner's ridiculous World Series performance loses to LeBron James in the category, "Best Championship Performance."

It's interesting when you think about it.  In the 25 years, baseball was most culturally relevant in the late 90's and early 2000's when the Steroid Era was at its peak.  McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds were putting up numbers that we found out later could only be manufactured in a lab.  In the mid-2000's, baseball was in the news because it was time to clean up the game.  Now the game is clean, and nobody cares.  The only baseball players to see the stage last night at the ESPY's were either retired (Derek Jeter) or leftover from the Steroid Era (Alex Rodriguez).  I guess our society doesn't have the patience for a sport run by statistics, strategy, and history.

Well, I do!  For the second year, I went through and calculated what ESPN used to calculate when they cared about baseball.  Who has had the best last calendar year.  I am calling it the "Wraparound Season."  I took the stats from 2014 post All Star Break and combined them with the stats from the first half of 2015 to see how has had the best last 162 games or so.  This can be a great indicator on who will continue their success into the stretch run this year, or who might be due for struggles from overwork.

See the 2013-2014 Wraparound Season Stats

AL Batting Average

Miguel Cabrera – DET	.336
Jose Abreu – CWS	.319
Jose Altuve – HOU	.318
Victor Martinez – DET	.312
Michael Brantley – CLE	.312
Prince Fielder – TEX	.339
Nori Aoki – KC / SF	.317

First, a couple notes.  Prince Fielder would be first, but he did not have enough at bats having been injured last year.  Nori Aoki is also a footnote since he switched leagues in the offseason.  Everyone wants to talk about the wave of young players coming into the league, but when it comes down to it, Miguel Cabrera is probably still the best hitter, at least in the AL.  Jose Altuve, reluctantly, has become one of my favorite players as he has officially taken the title of best second baseman in the AL from Robinson Cano (everyone wants to say Kipnis or Dozier, but Altuve has the consistency).  It is fascinating that three of the players on this list couldn't even make the All Star Team this year despite being considered three of the league's best hitters.  Jose Abreu went from phenom last year to forgotten this year.  Victor Martinez has been hobbled this year, but hitting is hitting.  Then Michael Brantley has continued to show that he is one of the superstars of the future.  He will probably need to leave Cleveland to truly get the recognition he deserves though.

NL Batting Average

Buster Posey – SF	.331
Denard Span – WAS	.326
Bryce Harper – WAS	.316
Dee Gordon – LAD / MIA	.316
Joe Panik – SF	.316
Paul Goldschmidt – ARZ	.327
Nori Aoki – KC / SF	.317

Paul Goldschmidt, possibly the best player nobody knows, due to his injury last year will not be seen much on these lists this year.  There are a few surprises on this list, but the top is not one of them.  Buster Posey, when healthy, is a perennial MVP candidate.  Bryce Harper has been the talk of the league for a reason.  I said at the start of the season that it was time for Harper to start to live up to more of the hype.  I think it is safe to say he has officially done that as he has had one of the best starts to a season we have seen in recent memory.  The other three are surprises.  When you think of key contributors to the Washington Nationals, Denard Span is probably one of the last names you think of.  However, he has turned into one of the best leadoff hitters in the league.  However, the best leadoff hitter might be Dee Gordon.  It is a shame he got injured and had to miss the All Star Game.  Last, you have the latest unlikely hero for the Giants and their World Series run.  However, knowing that this is pretty much his totals for his first 162 games in the majors, Joe Panik would have won the Rookie of the Year last year if he had played more of the season.

AL Home Runs

Mike Trout – LAA	40
JD Martinez – DET	35
Jose Bautista – TOR	35
Albert Pujols – LAA	34
Nelson Cruz – BAL / SEA	33
Chris Carter – HOU	33

It has been interesting watching Mike Trout the last few seasons.  He has gone from being the guy who can do everything to more of a pure power hitter.  He seems to be content sacrificing some points off his batting average to hit for more power.  It has had great results.  As for his teammate, it is amazing how good Pujols is again now that he is healthy.  It will be interesting to see if the Angels can actually make a playoff run with Trout and Pujols being their only sources of offense.  You expect to see guys like Bautista and Cruz (who has not been slowed down by Safeco Field) on this list.  JD Martinez is not the Tiger you expect to see, but his unlikely success last season has now turned into being a future star.  As for Chris Carter, he belongs on a list with guys like Adam Dunn and Mark Reynolds as true power guys who either hit the long ball or strike out.

NL Home Runs

Giancarlo Stanton – MIA	43
Bryce Harper – WAS	37
Nolan Arenado – COL	36
Todd Frazier – CIN	35
Adrian Gonzalez – LAD	31

Bryce Harper has been the one that has gotten all the attention, and rightfully so, but Giancarlo Stanton is currently on the DL for the second time in this time period and still managed to hit 43 home runs in just 125 games.  At that pace, he would hit 56 home runs if he were to actually get in 162 games.  I just hope he is able to stay healthy long enough before his body starts to break down.  How are the Rockies not better?  They have Tulo, CarGo, and now it looks like Arenado might be the best hitter of them all.  Todd Frazier is a great hitter stuck on a bad team, and Adrian Gonzalez is the left-handed version of Miguel Cabrera.  He just makes it look too easy.

AL RBI

Jose Bautista – TOR	109
Albert Pujols – LAA	97
Yoenis Cespedes – OAK / BOS / DET	95
Mike Trout – LAA	93
Josh Donaldson – OAK / TOR	93

One of the craziest trends I noticed going through this is how many elite players have switched teams in the last year.  Cespedes is on his third team in the last 12 months, and he just keeps hitting.  Again, another elite Tiger hitter at the top of their game.  How are they not the best team in baseball?  When will teams just stop pitching to Pujols and Trout?  An offense that is more than just two hitters is the Blue Jays.  Joey Bats and Donaldson are on this list, but they are dangerous top to bottom.  They are a starting pitcher away from being the favorite in the AL East.

NL RBI

Adrian Gonzalez – LAD	111
Giancarlo Stanton – MIA	109
Nolan Arenado – COL	101
Buster Posey – SF	101
Matt Kemp – LAD / SD	101

Another trend I noticed going through these stats is that the NL seems to have more elite hitters right now than the AL.  That is a complete change from what we are used to.  Only one AL hitter would have made this NL list of RBI leaders.  We have seen all these names already except for Matt Kemp.  He definitely seems to be healthy, and although the power numbers might be down, he still knows how to drive in runs.

AL OPS

Miguel Cabrera – DET	.964
Mike Trout – LAA	.932
Jose Bautista – TOR	.905
Jose Abreu – CWS	.870
Manny Machado – BAL	.868
Prince Fielder – TEX	.916
Alex Rodriguez – NYY	.892
Adam Lind – TOR / MIL	.873

What is thought to be one of the best indicators of a great hitter, OPS combines on base percentage and slugging.  Prince Fielder and A-Rod don't have enough at bats to qualify, and Adam Lind (a surprising name to see) switched leagues.  How about A-Rod though!  He needed to be great for the Yankees to contend.  He is, and they are.  The top three you expect to see there.  Manny Machado has gotten back to full health and has been showing it in his hitting.  Once again, Jose Abreu!!!  How did this guy miss the All Star Game?!?

NL OPS

Bryce Harper – WAS	1.008
Giancarlo Stanton – MIA	.965
Anthony Rizzo – CHC	.939
Buster Posey – SF	.924
Nolan Arenado – COL	.911
Paul Goldschmidt – ARZ	1.038

It is a shame Goldschmidt got hurt last season because he has had an insane start to this year.  Bryce Harper shows once again just how good he has been, and that the end of last season was the start of this breakout.  In last year's wraparound stats, Trout was the only player with an OPS over 1.000.  This year, it is Harper.  Now you know why they are the new faces of baseball.  Again, you see names like Stanton, Posey, and Arenado (seriously, we need to start talking more about Arenado!!!).  It is easy to forget about Anthony Rizzo with all the young talent coming up through the Cubs' system.  However, he is the anchor that will make that team competitive for years to come.

AL Wins

Carlos Carrasco – CLE	16
Collin McHugh – HOU	16
Jeremy Guthrie – KC	15
Felix Hernandez – SEA	15
David Price – TB / DET	15
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	17

Many of these pitching lists have been thrown off by Scherzer switching leagues.  These win totals are not very impressive.  None of these players would have made last year's wraparound leaderboard.  With the constant emphasis on pitch counts and bullpen matchups, starting pitchers continue to get pulled early before the game is decided.  This is why there will probably never be another 300 game winner.  Of the names on this list, you expect to see Felix and Price, but the rest are complete surprises.  Carrasco, McHugh, and Guthrie are not even the best starters on their own teams, but apparently they have the top win totals.  This just shows why so many say the win is an outdated stat.

NL Wins

Madison Bumgarner – SF	17
Gerrit Cole – PIT	17
Bartolo Colon – NYM	16
Jonny Cueto – CIN	16
Clayton Kershaw – LAD	16
Jordan Zimmerman – WAS	16
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	17

This list looks a little more standard.  I thought for sure Bumgarner would end up injured by the All Star Break this season after throwing over 50 innings in the postseason last year, but he instead continues to show that he is a pitcher built for a different era.  I feel slightly justified to see Gerrit Cole on this list as I predicted his breakout (just a year too early).  Bartolo Colon has reached the "ageless" stage of his career, but keeps being dominant.  He will soon be out of a job though with all the young aces the Mets have (Harvey, deGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler, Matz).  It is a crime Jonny Cueto missed the All Star Game.  He is one of the best pitchers in the league, and the game was in Cincy.  I don't think he will be in Cincy much longer though.  Kershaw has not been as good as he was last year so far, but that's understandable considering just how good he was.  Lastly, it is interesting to consider that the Nationals, in signing Max Scherzer, basically picked him over the home grown Jordan Zimmerman over the foreseeable future.  Zimmerman is going to get a huge payday this offseason.  The question is from where.

AL ERA (150 IP Min.)

Dallas Keuchel – HOU	2.35
Felix Hernandez – SEA	2.54
Chris Sale – CWS	2.54
Hector Santiago – LAA	2.57
Sonny Gray – OAK	2.65
Corey Kluber – CLE	2.65
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	2.43

The emergence of Dallas Keuchel has allowed for the Astros to emerge the way they have so far this season.  It will be interesting if he can continue this performance moving forward.  Felix continues to be the King, if only the offense would match his dominance.  Chris Sale is easily the most forgotten pitcher in the league.  Maybe it is a White Sox thing.  First Abreu, now Sale?  They need to get better so everyone can know how good they are.  Santiago and Gray have shown that they deserve to be in the conversation of the best young pitchers in baseball.  Kluber has been destroyed this year by a lack of run support, but his ERA shows he has still been a quality pitcher even if other stats are not there.  Still shouldn't have won the Cy Young though...

AL ERA Overall

Wade Davis – KC	0.63
Andrew Miller – BOS / BAL / NYY	1.63
Alex Cobb – TB	1.79
Greg Holland – KC	1.82
Zach Britton – BAL	1.95
Chasen Shreve – ATL / NYY	1.69

I mostly ignore the middle reliever when it comes to these stats, only looking at the save as a stat to qualify relievers.  Luckily, Greg Holland got hurt for a short time this year which allowed Wade Davis to get some saves and make the list with his ridiculous ERA.  He has given up 5 earned runs since the last All Star Break!!!  He is insane!  Why isn't he the closer?!?  Oh, because their closer is also on the list.  The Royals' bullpen is the main reason I hold to my preseason prediction that they win the World Series this year.  Andrew Miller has successfully moved from dominant setup man to dominant closer.  Zach Britton has some filthy stuff as he continues to anchor the O's bullpen.  Then there is Alex Cobb, who is a starter but is the latest to miss a season with Tommy John.

NL ERA (150 IP Min.)

Zack Greinke – LAD	1.91
Jacob deGrom – NYM	2.15
Clayton Kershaw – LAD	2.36
Lance Lynn – STL	2.57
Shelby Miller – STL / ATL	2.59
Jonny Cueto – CIN	2.59
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	2.43

Clayton Kershaw may not be having the year he had last year, but Greinke has taken his place as the ridiculously dominant pitcher for the Dodgers.  With his pedigree, you know he can keep up this pace too.  Again, he is another pitcher that will get a huge payday this offseason.  The question is from where.  Everyone wants to talk about Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard for the Mets, but Jacob deGrom has been ridiculously dominant, announcing his arrival at the All Star Game, striking out the side on only 10 pitches.  I am sure the Cardinals cheat.  Wainwright goes down with a season ending injury, so now Lance Lynn is pitching like a Cy Young candidate.  You could say the same about the Braves as they made Shelby Miller the ace of their staff.  Once again, there is Cueto.  He needs to get traded, especially considering how many contenders are looking for starting pitching.  Blue Jays? Royals? Yankees?  Red Sox?  Cubs?  Astros?

NL ERA Overall

Mark Melancon – PIT	1.37
AJ Ramos – MIA	1.47
Hector Rondon – CHC	1.49
Drew Storen – WAS	1.51
Kenley Jansen – LAD	1.68

Out of nowhere, Mark Melancon has worked his way up to being the most dominant closer in the National League.  He has had dominant stuff for awhile, but only recently has he been given the closer role full time so he can finally get the recognition he deserves.  AJ Ramos might be the best pitcher no one has ever heard of.  Drew Storen's story is pretty amazing, as he has worked his way back to being a dominant closer after a few years of mediocrity.

AL K's

Corey Kluber – CLE	281
Chris Sale – CWS	263
David Price – TB / DET	222
Chris Archer – TB	219
Carlos Carrasco – CLE	208
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	256

Corey Kluber has not been super dominant so far this year, but his ridiculous end to last season has him near or at the top of many of these lists.  It just shows how good he was down the stretch in 2014.  Sale and Price we have already talked about.  Carrasco pops up again surprisingly.  The name to watch on this list is Chris Archer, the latest pitcher to emerge from the Rays.  It will be fascinating to see how good he can get before the Rays trade him away.  Oh yeah, Max is there again too.

NL K's

Clayton Kershaw – LAD	273
Francisco Liriano – PIT	219
Cole Hamels – PHI	215
Jonny Cueto – CIN	214
Madison Bumgarner – SF	212
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	256

Kershaw's ERA might be elevated a little bit.  He may not have as many wins, but it doesn't mean he hasn't been dominant.  He has almost 60 strikeouts more than the next NL starter (not counting Max).  Liriano, combined with Gerrit Cole, could lead the Pirates on the deep run into the postseason they have been waiting for.  Cole Hamels joins Cueto on the list of aces available this trade deadline.  Then there is the MadBum, still doing his thing.  It might be hard to keep the Giants out of the playoffs this year...

AL Innings Pitched

Corey Kluber – CLE	237 1/3
David Price – TB / DET	225 2/3
Dallas Keuchel – HOU	222
Jeff Samardzija – OAK / CWS	222
Sonny Gray – OAK	217
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	226

This stat shows the overall workload of a pitcher and could predict a drop in production or injury down the stretch this year.  This was the case for pitchers like Justin Verlander, Adam Wainwright, and Wade Miley last season, all of which found themselves on this list last year.  Kluber is still young enough that the extra workload could end up with a disappointing second half (especially considering the frustration that comes from no run support).  The same could be said for Dallas Keuchel ad Sonny Gray.  Gray seems to be the only pitcher for the A's not to get hurt over the last few seasons.  Pitchers like Price and Scherzer have shown year after year that they are built for this workload.  However, it could also catch up with them soon as well.

NL Innings Pitched

Clayton Kershaw – LAD	225
Jonny Cueto – CIN	218 2/3
Cole Hamels – PHI	214
Madison Bumgarner – SF	209 1/3
Zack Greinke – LAD	207
Max Scherzer – DET / WAS	226
James Shields – KC / SD	213

This might be why Kershaw has been not as dominant recently.  He is tired.  That is a lot of innings.  Not everyone can pitch like Bumgarner.  Greinke seems to have shown that he is good enough to keep up his dominance with the heavy workload.  Hamels, Cueto, and Shields join Max as work horses that can carry any load.  Seriously, who is going to take a run at these guys?

AL Saves

Zach Britton – BAL	45
Huston Street – LAA	41
Greg Holland – KC	40
Glen Perkins – MIN	40
Fernando Rodney – SEA	37

Zach Britton takes the top spot for saves here, mainly because Holland spent a little time on the DL this season.  Huston Street continues to be one of the most consistent closers in the league.  Glen Perkins would be much more well known if his team was better.  Then there is Fernando Rodney, who finds himself on this list simply because the Mariners are in so many close games.  He has a 4.77 ERA over this time and was even removed from closer duties for about a month this season.

NL Saves

Mark Melancon – PIT	46
Trevor Rosenthal – STL	43
Craig Kimbrel – ATL / SD	41
Drew Storen – WAS	38
Santiago Casilla – SF	37

There is the name of Mark Melancon again, leading the Pirates' bullpen.  Rosenthal has been crazy good as the latest Cardinal flamethrower to take closer duties.  Kimbrel has not been as dominant as we are used to seeing since going to San Diego.  Storen and Casilla anchor strong bullpens on strong teams.

So let's see who has been the best overall  in the 2014-2015 Wraparound Season.

Hitters

First Name	Last Name	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	1B	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Bryce	Harper	WAS	147	506	88	160	26	1	37	96	82	88	137	5	.316	.418	.591	1.008
Giancarlo	Stanton	MIA	125	465	75	125	22	1	43	59	109	72	160	9	.269	.367	.598	.965
Miguel	Cabrera	DET	146	545	87	183	34	1	26	122	88	78	113	2	.336	.419	.545	.964
Mike	Trout	LAA	155	581	118	167	31	5	40	91	93	74	174	15	.287	.368	.565	.932
Buster	Posey	SF	145	543	84	180	27	2	26	125	101	54	59	1	.331	.392	.532	.924

Starting Pitchers

First Name	Last Name	Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	AVG	WHIP	K/BB	K/9
Max	Scherzer	DET / WAS	17	9	2.43	32	32	0	0	226	172	67	61	16	42	256	.202	0.95	6.1	10.2
Clayton	Kershaw	LAD	16	7	2.36	31	31	0	0	225	171	68	59	15	45	273	.202	0.96	6.1	10.9
Zack	Greinke	LAD	14	5	1.91	31	31	0	0	207	157	48	44	14	41	186	.202	0.96	4.5	8.1
Johnny	Cueto	CIN	16	9	2.59	31	31	0	0	218 2/3	161	68	63	21	52	214	.197	0.97	4.1	8.8
Dallas	Keuchel	HOU	14	8	2.35	31	31	0	0	222	182	63	58	12	54	173	.215	1.06	3.2	7.0

Closers

First Name	Last Name	Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	AVG	WHIP	K/BB	K/9
Mark	Melancon	PIT	3	4	1.37	72	0	46	48	72 1/3	52	12	11	2	13	65	.193	0.90	5.0	8.1
Zach	Britton	BAL	1	1	1.95	66	0	45	48	64 2/3	45	15	14	3	17	65	.188	0.96	3.8	9.0
Greg	Holland	KC	3	1	1.82	29	0	40	43	54 1/3	28	14	11	1	25	68	.147	0.98	2.7	11.3
Trevor	Rosenthal	STL	2	4	1.96	70	0	43	47	69	58	15	15	2	31	76	.219	1.29	2.5	9.9
Glen	Perkins	MIN	1	4	2.56	62	0	40	44	59 2/3	53	17	17	7	9	53	.228	1.04	5.9	8.0

Are you ready for more baseball now?  I know I am!  Here are the full stats compiled for this project.

2014-2015 Wraparound Season Stats