San Francisco Giants: 5 Young Players Ready to Step Up
There’s a changing of the guard happening right now in San Francisco, whether we wanted it to happen or not.
Last season, the eventual World Series champions were led by a group of past-their-prime 30-year-olds, including Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Aaron Rowand and Juan Uribe.
In 2011 however, injuries to key starters and struggles by some of the aforementioned veterans have sparked a shift in the balance of the team over to the Giants’ youth. What happens the rest of this season and whether the Giants get a shot in the postseason will have a lot to do with how well these young guys do.
Here’s a look at five ballplayers ready to step up.
Madison Bumgarner, SP
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The youngest player on the roster, 21-year-old Madison Bumgarner, is already making a name for himself as one of the top young pitchers in the MLB.
Despite the fact that he’s been pitching full time in San Francisco for less than a year, Bumgarner already carries himself like a rotation veteran. With two elite, homegrown aces on staff already in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, Bumgarner is well on his way to making it a trio.
In large part to receiving Cain-like run support (2.4 runs/start), Bumgarner began the season losing his first six decisions despite pitching extremely well. Rather than displaying any frustration, the lefty, who has had temper issues in the past, has continued doing his thing and has won his last two decisions.
Including Monday, Bumgarner is on a seven-game quality-start streak, posting a 2.12 ERA and 37:12 K:BB ratio over the stretch.
While Mad-Bum’s inning count will be closely monitored as the season goes on, he’s on his way to becoming a legitimate No. 3 starter this season. As pitching becomes the team’s focus, Bumgarner’s coveted ability to keep the game close will be of the utmost importance.
And there’s no indication that he won’t be able to.
Brandon Belt, OF/1B
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After struggling his way down to Triple-A Fresno back in April, Brandon Belt crushed Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) pitching at .337/.470/.525 over 31 games. With his promotion back to the big league club following Buster Posey’s untimely injury, the 23-year-old from Texas is ready to re-establish his role on the lineup card.
Despite the fact that manager Bruce Bochy intends to use him mainly off the bench with occasional starts at first base or corner outfield, Belt could very well play himself into an everyday role. As Burrell and Huff continue to struggle, a position could open up sooner than later.
Belt is a really talented hitter capable of being a middle-of-the-order bat for the Giants right away. With the third-worst offense in baseball, the team needs an offensive shake up, and Belt could be that catalyst.
Sergio Romo, RP
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Sergio Romo is the youngest reliever on the Giants roster. He is also quietly becoming the one of the most electric setup men in baseball.
In 2011, the 28-year-old right-hander has struck out a ridiculous 27 batters in just 15.1 innings. That 15.85 K/9 leads all of baseball. Combined with his 1.76 ERA (second-best on the team to Ramon Ramirez) and his 80 percent strand rate, Romo has been the team’s best reliever this season, period.
He's just seventh right now among Giants relievers in innings pitched, but recently he’s been receiving more consistent playing time. Romo is fearless, he challenges hitters and rarely walks anyone. Teaming him up consistently with Brian Wilson, one of the game’s elite closers, the ballgame becomes a seven-inning affair.
Romo is ready to take on that role.
Nate Schierholtz, OF
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Nate Schierholtz has been a contributing member of the Giants' big league club for the last four years, but until this season he really hasn’t been given a fair opportunity to win the job.
First it was Dave Roberts blocking him in 2007, then Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn. Last season, the job was expected to be his before the overachieving John Bowker swiped it in spring training, and then when it opened up, Pat Burrell, who had just been released by another team, was given an outfield spot.
Well, now, with untimely injuries to Cody Ross and Andres Torres and the inconsistency of Burrell and Rowand, the 27-year-old Schierholtz is getting the chance to step up.
Schierholtz is primarily (and properly) known for his highlight-reel arm and above-average defense out in right field. While the Giants’ lack of offensive punch sides with playing Burrell, Huff and Rowand in the outfield more often, I would argue that having Schierholtz’s impeccable defense out there for nine innings would actually be a better strategy.
If Schierholtz hits even a little, that instantly makes him an upgrade to the lineup.
The Giants are clearly a pitching and defense team. Here’s a strategy: Put your best defensive lineup out there, limit the other team’s runs to two or less and win the close game with timely hitting.
With a full-time gig, I think the Bay Area native is capable of a .280 average with double-digit home runs on the season. His defense, especially at AT&T Park, warrants playing time, and the Giants would be smart to give him a legitimate chance.
I mean, after all, a 32-year-old Andres Torres came out of nowhere last year.
I would have to say, Schierholtz making the jump would be less of a shock than that was.
Darren Ford, OF
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Just as Schierholtz’s primary value lies in his defense, 25-year-old Darren Ford’s value stems from his blazing speed and great instincts.
As the Giants continue to partake in close one-run battles, having a thief like Ford on the bench can make all the difference. Prior to his injury last week, Ford’s value as a late-inning substitution certainly warranted a spot on the 25-man roster.
A similar tactic was being used over in Kansas City, and prior to his injury in May, speedster Jarrod Dyson swiped seven bags and scored the winning or tying run three times coming solely off the bench.
Ford can be that guy for the Giants. He has fantastic instincts getting great jumps on the bases and in the field and has the natural confidence to shine with the game on the line.
To sum it up: He’s much more Dave Roberts (a la Boston Red Sox) than Eugenio Velez.
""We have six outfielders, which is a little unusual, but with the speed that he gives us, that gives us another weapon we can use late in the ballgame. The way that we play is we play a lot of close ballgames, so it’s nice to have that weapon." —Bruce Bochy
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Arguments
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Brandon Crawford
Although he has made a splash during his time up, Crawford is simply holding a roster spot until Pablo Sandoval and Mike Fontenot get back. He’s been performing far beyond my expectations offensively, but the UCLA alum should be in a system (either Triple-A Fresno or Double-A Richmond) where he's getting full-time work.
That won’t be the case when the Giants get healthy.
He crushed California League (Single-A) pitching early this season, but struggled against Double-A pitchers last year and hasn’t even seen Triple-A Fresno.
It’s good to give him a taste of the big leagues, but this scenario screams Brian Bocock to me. (Bocock, a light-hitting, defense-first shortstop was the 2008 Opening Day starter and flamed out quickly.)
I do think Crawford is a future middle infielder for the Giants, but he’s not ready to step up now despite what we’ve seen.
Emmanuel Burriss
I would throw Burris in the same category as Crawford: a temporary roster holder for Sandoval and Fontenot.
While I’m ready to completely write off Crawford this season, Burriss adds a few more elements in that he has plus speed (not quite Darren Ford level, though) and has shown the ability to play both middle-infield positions and third base.
Regardless, barring another crucial injury to the infield, Burriss would benefit most from playing full-time in the minor leagues for another season.
