MLB Draft: Bold Predictions for Chris Stratton's San Francisco Giants Career

The San Francisco Giants are known for their loaded pitching staff, so it's only natural that they would select a future ace with their first-round pick. 

Stratton is a player who improved each year. As a freshmen at Mississippi State, Stratton was only 5-3 with a 5.29 ERA. His sophomore year was a disappointment when he went 5-7 with a 5.21 ERA. 

However, he took the SEC by storm this year, by going 11-2 with a 2.38 ERA. These numbers led to Stratton winning the SEC Pitcher of the Year. 

Stratton has an array of four quality pitches and sits at 90-95 mph with his fastball. As the No. 20 overall pick, the Giants may have gotten the steal of the draft. 

2014 ETA

Chris Stratton isn't a project that will take years to reach the majors. 

The Giants made a smart move by not taking a high school kid as a project. With Stratton, the Giants have a pitcher who will be on the hill sooner than later. 

In 2014, Stratton will make it to San Francisco. His first stint with the Giants may be in the bullpen, where he first pitched for Mississippi State. 

Though he may start in the bullpen, Stratton will be a starter for the Giants in 2014 at some point. 

Lincecum Gone

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Tim Lincecum will be gone by the time Chris Stratton is starting for the Giants. 

Lincecum is signed through the 2013 season and will not be in San Francisco when his contract expires. There is even a chance San Francisco trades Lincecum by the time his contract is up. 

The Giants will not overpay the struggling Lincecum. The former Cy Young winner will want a lot of money and the Giants will not pay up with Stratton waiting. 

Stratton will certainly play a part in Lincecum not being a long-term Giant and will be in a rotation that does not consist of Lincecum. 

Big 3

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The San Francisco Giants are forming a new "Big Three" of their future. 

With Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner signed to long-term contracts, Chris Stratton will join the two, forming a new "Big Three." All three are still young and have terrific pitcher's bodies. 

Cain, 27, is the ace of the group. When Lincecum is gone, Cain will be the new No. 1 starter and has Cy Young stuff. Bumgarner, 22, is extremely talented for his age and has huge upside for a long time. Stratton, 21, will be in the majors sooner than later and has No. 2 stuff while he is a future No. 3 in this "Big Three."

Stratton will help form one of the best 1-2-3 punches in all of baseball for the Giants. The "Big Three" should enjoy an extraordinary future.  

Conclusion

Chris Stratton was a steal as the No. 20 pick in the draft by the San Francisco Giants. 

There's no predicting if Stratton will win a Cy Young or be the next big thing in baseball, but predicting that he will certainly help the Giants is reasonable. 

The future "Big Three" will be huge, and at times Stratton may look like the ace of the three. His progression as a pitcher is promising and the Giants have to love that he keeps improving. 

Stratton has solid No. 2 stuff and will be a big part of the Giants' future as he baffles NL West hitters.