Fansided

Each MLB team’s expected call-ups for roster expansion

By Kyle Franzoni

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Alen Hanson (right) and San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Crick against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Alen Hanson (right) and San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Crick against the West during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants

Directly trailing the rival Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants find themselves in an interesting place heading into September. Just 2.5 games back in the division, they have a realistic shot at unseating the Dodgers for the title. However, their gap in the Wild Card is at 5.5 games and the likelihood of usurping the Cubs or Pirates isn’t very strong.

So how does a team looking for a lift improve down the stretch?

Typically, you’d look for that sparkplug piece in the minor leagues. However, the Giants lack that the MLB-ready talent to make the jump. Of their top-10 prospects, only two of them are at Double-A or above (Kyle Crick and Steven Okert), but neither is on the 40-man roster. Additionally, the team lacks the position depth to promote much outside of a third catcher in Hector Sanchez.

Instead, the Giants are going to need to rely on health as a contributing factor down the stretch. Starters Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum may be ready to rejoin the rotation in early September. Second baseman Joe Panik and center fielder Angel Pagan may not be far behind them and both could provide a needed pick-up to the line-up. However, the big question mark will continue to be outfielder Hunter Pence, who is out with an oblique strain and has yet to begin baseball activities. Given the shortness of time left to heal from such an injury, San Francisco may be without their most potent bat during the playoff run.

Next: Indians

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