Fantasy Baseball: 2015 San Francisco Giants Fantasy Outlook

Mar 29, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) runs to third base during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Spring Training is in full swing (pun intended), and the regular season is right around the corner. That means that our fantasy drafts are as well.

2015 San Francisco Giants Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Buster Posey (.311, 22HR, 89RBI, 0SB)
1B: Brandon Belt (.243, 12HR, 27RBI, 3SB in 61 games)
2B: Joe Panik (.305, 1HR, 18RBI, 0SB in 73 games)
SS: Brandon Crawford (.246, 10HR, 69RBI, 5SB)
3B: Casey McGehee (.287, 4HR, 76RBI, 4SB with Miami)
LF: Nori Aoki (.285, 1HR, 43RBI, 17SB with Kansas City)
CF: Angel Pagan (.300, 3HR, 27RBI, 16SB in 96 games)
RF: Gregor Blanco (.260, 5HR, 38RBI, 16SB)
RF: Hunter Pence (.277, 20HR, 74RBI, 13SB)

Posey continues to be one of the best fantasy catchers in baseball. The fact that the Giants are giving him at bats at first base to keep him in the lineup is just icing on the cake. Posey is a solid pick in the third round, especially considering the production he can give you at a shallow position.

There has been a buzz about Belt for some time now, but it has not translated to big league success. The Giants are going to give him every opportunity to lock up this job, but with Andrew Susac lurking, they might want to move Posey to first base on a more permanent basis. Belt is best left for deep leagues. He can provide some power, but it will likely come at a cost to your batting average.

Panik is an outstanding hitter, but he wont give you much of anything in terms of counting stats. That leaves him better suited for deeper leagues. If injuries ravage your second basemen, he will be a good fill in in standard leagues. I just think you want someone that will help out more than your average over the course of a season.

Crawford is never going to help your batting average, but he proved his worth in 10×10 leagues last year. He had 20 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers, and five steals. He is a little less valuable in standard scoring leagues, but if you are looking for some pop late in the draft, Crawford could give it to you.

McGehee was cold down the stretch after a torrid April and May. The only counting stat he will really get you is RBI, but again, he is a solid fill in if injuries hit. He is best left for deeper leagues until then.

Aoki and Pagan could steal a lot of bases at the top of this lineup. Pagan offers you more of everything, and is a suitable guy to fill out your standard league outfield. So is Aoki, he just doesn’t have as much power. The potential is there for both of them to swipe 30 bags this year.

Blanco will start in right field until Pence returns, which could be another month yet. Pence has played every game over the last two years, so he is not used to missing time. Blanco will be worth picking in deeper leagues. He will provide some steals while Pence it out.

This will hurt Pence’s draft stock some, but you still know that you are going to get a .270 average and around 15 homers and steals. That makes him a solid pick in the middle of the draft.

We could see Matt Duffy in the majors if Panik or Crawford struggle. He is a good defensive player, and has overachieved with the lumber at nearly every stop. He might be worth a spot in deep leagues if he gets a playing spot.

McGehee might just be keeping 3B warm for Adam Duvall. He has the power that this team needs, but he has struggled to hit for a respectable average. He will likely stay in the minors until that happens, but for those of you that end up relying on McGehee, just be aware that he won’t be a long-term solution.

Next: How Does The Rotation Look?

Mar 23, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) throws during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

2015 San Francisco Giants Projected Starting Rotation:

Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98 ERA, 219K)
Matt Cain (2-7, 4.18 ERA, 70K in 15 starts)
Tim Hudson (9-13, 3.57 ERA, 120K)
Jake Peavy (7-13, 3.73 ERA, 158K)
Tim Lincecum (12-9, 4.74 ERA, 134K)
Ryan Vogelsong (8-13, 4.00 ERA, 151K)
Santiago Casilla (3-3, 1.70 ERA, 45K, 19-23 saves)

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Bumgarner’s terrific postseason has him being drafted over what his numbers were for last season. If he can do that over a full season, then he is a bargain in the second round, where you will have to take him. Just be aware that last year was his only season with over 200 strikeouts so far. Can he do it again? Absolutely. He is in his prime. Just don’t expect an ERA under 2 like he did in the postseason.

Cain’s injury issues likely had something to do with his disappointing 2014 season. That said, that was his second consecutive season with an ERA over 4. He has done nothing this spring to quash concerns either. Right now, Cain is a fringe option in standard leagues, and one that is likely not worth the risk. His K/9 ratio is still around 7, which is what it was during his best years, he just hasn’t been able to get out of trouble like he used to.

Hudson will be 40 this summer, but he is still going strong. The ERA is good, but he has never been a high strikeout pitcher. If you want someone that you know exactly what you are going to get with at the back of your rotation, he should still be around for you in standard leagues.

Peavy put up a stellar 2.17 ERA in 12 starts after returning to the NL West at the trade deadline last year. He isn’t going to strike out 200 batters again anytime soon, but Peavy is definitely worth a look in later rounds in standard leagues. He likely won’t keep the ERA in the low 2’s, but right around 3 is a possibility.

Lincecum pitched well enough to earn the fifth starting spot back, but that isn’t saying much. Vogelsong was dreadful this spring. If you’re feeling lucky, feel free to take Lincecum late in your deep league draft, but I won’t touch him. He has shown no signs of getting back to being a serviceable pitcher.

For those of you hoping to see top prospects Kyle Crick and Tyler Beede this year, don’t hold your breath. The Giants aren’t going to rush anyone, even if Lincecum does falter again this year.

For those of you that are targeting Casilla, just be aware that he probably has a shorter leash than most closers because of Sergio Romo behind him. Romo was removed from the closer role last year, and did better in a setup role. If Casilla struggles, Romo will have the job back.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR as we continue out team by team breakdown. Next we stay in the west, but switch leagues!

Next: Is Bryce Harper A Top Ten Outfielder?

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