2009 San Francisco Giants: Rotation
A Look at the Starting Pitchers
For several years now, the National League West has been considered the weakest division in baseball. There has not been a perennial powerhouse in the division for quite sometime, leaving the door open for any team to take the division crown. If the Giants are to contend this season it will be on the strength of their pitching staff. The Giants starting rotation boasts three Cy Young Award winners, and has a nice blend of youth and experience. There is also a great deal of depth with six pitchers vying for five spots in the rotation.
Tim Lincecum
The 24-year old right hander is the unquestionable ace of the Giants staff. With poise and maturity well beyond his years and amazing stuff that belies his wiry frame, Lincecum has already established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league. Lincecum will be looking to build on his 2008 campaign in which he amassed 18 victories and 265 strikeouts, and barring injury Lincecum is poised to do just that. The Giants’ chances ride heavily on the health and success of their young ace.
Randy Johnson
In a busy off-season for the Giants, Randy Johnson was literally the biggest signing. The 45- year old future Hall of Famer is five victories shy of 300, and though he is in the twilight of his career, Johnson is still quite serviceable. Last season in Arizona, Johnson was able to win 11 games and pitch 184 innings. Johnson’s veteran presence should help youngsters Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez, and barring injury he should have an impact on the field as well. Look for him to pitch around 170 innings in 2009.
Matt Cain
Cain is actually a few months younger than Lincecum, and has incredible stuff. Unfortunately, Cain has had some of the worst run support in Major League Baseball over the last two years. To his credit, Cain has never spoken out about any frustration he may be feeling. Cain is a durable innings eater with strikeout stuff; look for Cain to pitch over 200 innings and strikeout 190 batters. Cain could have a breakout season if the Giants can provide him with some run support.
Barry Zito
2009 marks Zito’s third year in San Francisco, and a chance to rebound from two sub-par seasons. Zito, the former 2001 AL Cy Young Award Winner, is looking to regain the form the made him one of baseball’s elite pitchers. His off-season training regimen with Giant’s closer, Brian Wilson, has been well-documented, and it shows his dedication to regaining his old form. Zito’s fastball has lost some speed, but if he can slow down his change-up and increase the speed differential, Zito can find success. Zito is durable and competitive, and should win at least 11 games this season.
Jonathan Sanchez
After spending the majority of his big league career in the bullpen, Sanchez moved to the rotation in 2008. Sanchez showed flashes of brilliance, posting a 5-1 record in June, but he seemed to tire as the year progressed. Sanchez has incredible stuff, but presently lacks consistency. If Sanchez wants to keep his spot in the rotation, he will have to prove that he can be consistent.
Noah Lowry
Lowry suffered a miserable 2008 season. He injured himself in Spring Training, and failed to pitch in 2008. Lowry, however, was the Giants wins leader in 2005 and 2007. Lowry does not have the stuff the Sanchez has, but he is far more consistent. Additionally, Lowry is fearless and poised. Even when his stuff isn’t working, Lowry has the ability to keep his team in a game, something Sanchez doesn’t do on a consistent basis. If Lowry can stay healthy he will likely push Sanchez out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen.
The Giants rotation is by far the deepest and strongest in the National League West. If the rotation can stay healthy, the team should be in great shape to win its first division title since 2003.
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