San Francisco Giants: Brian Wilson and 5 Players Who Need to Step Up

The San Francisco Giants have played well this season, but they still have players that need to elevate their game before the playoffs.

When you're the defending World Series champions, it is easy to get complacent. When you're leading your division and have one of the best records in the National League, it gets easier.

The Giants have not necessarily underperformed, but there are a handful of players who need to play better if they want to defend their World Series crown.

For a variety of reasons (living up to expectations, producing in place of someone or returning to world class form), each of these players needs to step up. Feel free to let me know what you think about my selections.

Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran does not necessarily need to play better (.283 average and .879 OPS are solid). However, he does need to continue that pace in San Francisco.

It is tough to get traded in the middle of the season. Beltran has switched coasts and the Giants need him to produce right away. Although he has started slow (he's batting .200 since the trade), Beltran still has the ability to dominate a series.

The Giants have been desperately looking for offense (second to last in runs scored). Beltran may not be as great as he once was, but he can still swing the bat pretty well.

Right now, Bruce Bochy has him hitting third. If the Giants can get production out of Beltran, they would have a chance to play deep into October.

Cody Ross

Since the Carlos Beltran trade, Cody Ross seems to be Bruce Bochy's choice in center field.

Ross plays well in the outfield and he has been batting at the top of the Giants lineup. As the leadoff hitter, he needs to sparl the offense. Otherwise, the Giants will continue to struggle scoring runs.

If Ross can get on base, Beltran and Pablo Sandoval have the ability to knock him in.

In order to score runs, leadoff hitters need to play well. Right now, Ross has been underwhelming. If Ross can bring his average up about 15 points (bringing it to his career average), then the Giants will start scoring a lot more runs.

Eli Whiteside

Buster Posey is gone. That's old news.

Now, Eli Whiteside needs to step up in place of the former Rookie of the Year. If not, the Giants will be in trouble.

Obviously, Whiteside can't offer the same offensive production. That's fine. However, he does need to hit better than .215. When a player can't get a hit, it is crippling to an offense. Whiteside has played decent behind the plate, but his hitting needs to take off.

If Whiteside is unable to start hitting, the Giants will have to go through the rest of the season (and potentially, the postseason) with two liabilities (eight and nine slots) in their order.

Look, Whiteside doesn't need to be an All-Star. He does, however, need to step it up.

Jonathan Sanchez

The San Francisco Giants have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Unfortunately, they lack a reliable left-handed pitcher.

Jonathan Sanchez could be that pitcher.

Although he is a clear-cut fourth starter, Sanchez could pitch in some big time games in the near future. He is set to return from the disabled list on Friday, and he could use a good start against the Philadelphia Phillies.

If he can be a good fourth starter, the Giants will be nearly impossible to beat. If Sanchez can step up, the Giants could (arguably) have a better four-man rotation than the Phillies.

Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is one of the best closers in all of baseball.

He is intimidating, fearless and dominant. This year, however, he has been slightly less dominant. His ERA is at the highest it's been in three years, and at times, he doesn't seem to have his electric stuff.

Last postseason, Wilson was nearly unhittable. He did not allow an earned run and the Giants were 9-1 when he pitched.

Now, Wilson does not look nearly as dominating. He is giving up base-runners and teams almost always look like they could score. Wilson is usually good enough to shut the door, but the Giants need him to be better than good.

Wilson was one of the keys to winning the World Series. Now, as the playoffs get closer, Wilson will again need to be a key. If he can return to his dominant ways, then the Giants will be in good shape.