S.F. Giants: 5 Under-the-Radar Players Who Could Make or Break Playoff Run

It's official: The San Francisco Giants are back in the playoffs! 

The Giants return to the postseason after missing the playoffs in 2013. They will enter as a wild-card team and will likely play either the Pittsburgh Pirates or the St. Louis Cardinals in the one-game playoff.

The Giants got off to a blazing start and were 42-21 on June 8. Since then, injuries and inconsistent play have hampered the team, which currently stands at 86-73.

The Giants will need their big-name players to come through in order to make another run at the world championship. That means players such as Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence must lead the offense.

On the mound, the Giants will be counting on Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy, with Santiago Casilla hoping to close out several games, including the final one of the World Series.

Let's take a look at five players who are currently flying a bit under the radar but could play huge roles in the success or demise of the Giants.

If these players come through and the Giants get strong contributions from their top players, anything can happen. It is an even numbered year, after all.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

No. 5: Travis Ishikawa

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Travis Ishikawa was on the 2010 world championship team.

The San Francisco Giants signed Travis Ishikawa to a minor league contract in late April after he was released by the Pirates. When the deal was announced, it was hardly front-page news.

Ishikawa toiled in the minors, regaining his hitting stroke, and he was called up to San Francisco in late July.

Ishikawa has been productive in his time with the Giants. With Brandon Belt out for several weeks with concussion symptoms, Ishikawa got a few spot starts and was also the Giants' top pinch hitter.

With the Giants, Ishikawa has 19 hits in 63 at-bats, good for a .302 average. He also has two home runs and 15 RBI. His OBP is .357, and he has a strong OPS of .802.

There will likely be times in the playoffs when Ishikawa will be called upon to pinch hit in the late innings with the game on the line. If he comes through, it will go a long way in helping the Giants win those close games.

As a pinch hitter, Ishikawa is 7-for-21 for an average of .333. He also has a home run and six RBI in this role.

Ishikawa has also played some left field for the Giants and could be given starting opportunities against right-handed pitchers.

No. 4: Juan Perez

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Juan Perez will be starting in left field.

The injuries to Angel Pagan and Michael Morse have opened up two starting outfield jobs for the Giants.

One will go to Gregor Blanco, and the other will most likely go to Juan Perez, although Ishikawa may also see some time in left field.

Perez has bounced back and forth between San Francisco and Fresno, the Giants' Triple-A affiliate. He is an outstanding defensive player but has never hit at the big league level.

In 93 at-bats this year, Perez is hitting just .161, with an OBP of .220 and an OPS of .489. He has one home run and only three RBI.

Perez has good speed but no steals, having been thrown out in his only attempt.

If Perez is able to contribute offensively, it will bode very well for the Giants.

No. 3: Hunter Strickland

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Hunter Strickland has emerged as an extremely important pitcher out of the bullpen.

Hunter Strickland had a fine season in the minors. He opened the year in High-A San Jose and was promoted to the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Giants' Double-A affiliate. 

Strickland pitched the majority of the year in Richmond, with 38 of his 41 appearances occurring at the Double-A level.

His cumulative minor league totals show that Strickland threw 38.2 innings, allowed 27 hits and four walks, and struck out 55. That strikeout-to-walk ratio is impressive. Strickland's ERA was 2.09, and his WHIP was an outstanding 0.802.

Strickland was a September call-up and has been a tremendous addition to the Giants bullpen. In eight appearances, Strickland has thrown six innings, allowing five hits with no walks and striking out eight. His ERA is 0.00 to go along with a WHIP of 0.833.

Strickland has impressed manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti. He had 11 saves in the minors, so he is used to pitching with the game on the line.

Strickland features a good fastball in the high 90s along with a hard slider that can keep hitters from sitting on the fastball. He throws strikes and can also get a big strikeout when needed.

Bochy has shown a great deal of confidence in Strickland, and he he has delivered. Strickland has earned a spot on the postseason roster. Look for him to be used in tight situations in the sixth or seventh inning.

No. 2: Yusmeiro Petit

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Yusmeiro Petit has been very effective as a starting pitcher.

Yusmeiro Petit began the 2014 season as the Giants' long reliever and emergency starter. He has thrown the ball well this year, and when Tim Lincecum struggled after the All-Star break, Petit was called upon to solidify the starting rotation.

Petit has appeared in 39 games with 12 starts. He has thrown 117 innings, allowing 97 hits and 22 walks and striking out 133. He has an ERA of 3.69 and a WHIP of 1.02.

After Bumgarner and Peavy, the next starters likely to pitch in the postseason are Tim Hudson and Petit. Although Hudson is likely to get the third start, Petit has pitched a lot better in the last month.

The Giants will likely use four starting pitchers, and Petit should get the nod over Ryan Vogelsong. 

No. 1: Gregor Blanco

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Gregor Blanco will start in center field for the Giants.

Blanco began the season as the Giants' fourth outfielder. However, he has played in 144 games, far more than expected.

Blanco has been the primary replacement for the oft-injured Pagan. In addition, Blanco has gotten several starts in left field and has played as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Now, Blanco will be a key figure for the Giants in their quest for their third world championship in five years. He is a better defensive player than Pagan but does not approach Pagan's offensive production. The dynamic Pagan is a catalyst for the San Francisco offense, something that has eluded Blanco.

In 452 at-bats, Blanco is currently hitting .262, with an OBP of .337 and an OPS of .715. He has three home runs and 41 RBI.

Blanco has 16 steals and has been thrown out five times. He has good speed but makes far too many baserunning mistakes.