Fantasy baseball: 2020 San Francisco Giants fantasy preview

2020 San Francisco Giants projected starting rotation

Johnny Cueto, RHP (1-2, 5.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 13 K in 16 IP)
Jeff Samardzija, RHP (11-12, 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 140 K in 181.1 IP)
Kevin Gausman, RHP (3-9, 5.72 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 114 K in 102.1 IP with ATL/CIN)
Drew Smyly, LHP (4-7, 6.24 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 120 K in 114 IP with TEX/PHI)
Andrew Suarez, LHP (0-2, 5.79 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 25 K in 32.2 IP)
Tony Watson, LHP (2-2, 4.17 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 41 K in 54 IP, 0/3 saves)

Cueto has pitched in just 13 games over the last two seasons combined because of injury. He hasn’t really had time to work the rust off. Cueto was elite before injuries. How much does he have left at age 34? Cueto is a solid pick for the middle of your rotation, but I would caution against paying too much for him. The awful spring certainly wont help his stock.

Shark enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last year, and at this point is a safer pick than Cueto. Cueto gets more strikeouts and allows less baserunners, but Shark is still a good piece at the end of your fantasy rotation. The 1.11 WHIP and 3.52 ERA were his lowest since 2014.

Gausman was an absolute disaster for the Braves, but he pitched well with the Reds out of the bullpen. What does that mean? It means Gausman is an interesting pick late. He gets a massive park upgrade moving to San Francisco, but truth be told, gopher balls weren’t Gausman’s undoing last year. It was too many base runners.

Smyly had a solid return to the majors last year after a two-year absence. His career numbers are solid enough to consider Smyly in the last couple of rounds. He also gets a huge park upgrade after last year in Philly and Texas, both great hitter parks. His numbers were solid enough in Philly that there’s hope for this season. Smyly had a 4.45 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 62.2 innings with the Phillies.

The last rotation slot is up in the air between Suarez and Trevor Cahill. Injuries ruined 2019 for Suarez after a solid rookie season in 2018. There’s some upside with Suarez if he wins the job, but not enough to warrant drafting him before the last two or three rounds.

Watson has a grand total of 30 career saves. Half of those game with Pittsburgh in 2016 in which he finished the season as the closer. Watson’s numbers show that he could be a solid closer, but he could also implode. Don’t overpay. His career numbers suggest that he’s worth hanging on to regardless, but he’s 34 and struggled last year, putting up the worst numbers of his career in a setup role. The good news for Watson is the Giants don’t seem to have an immediate replacement, so the leash is fairly long.

Prospects to watch:

That fifth starter spot could go to Logan Webb sooner than we think. He started last year in the rookie league but ended in starting eight games for the Giants. Webb didn’t look that great in those eight games, but his minor league track record suggests that Webb could be a nice middle of the rotation pitcher. Keep an eye on him. His strikeout numbers were good and he only allowed five homers in 39.2 major league innings.

Melvin Adon throws gas, but he struggled as the closer for AAA Sacramento last year. If he finally puts it together, he could move Watson back to a setup role. Adon isn’t worth stashing except in leagues with deep benches. If he gets the call, he’s a nice prospective add. I don’t think the Giants call him unless they have him close shortly after making the trip down I-80.

Dany Jimenez, the rule-5 pick from Toronto, could jump over Adon if he pitches like he did last year. Jimenez dominated at AA New Hampshire last year. My guess is that Adon or Jimenez will take Watson’s job at some point this season. Be ready to pounce on whichever one sets themselves apart.

There are 20 more of these where this came from! Sports may be on hold, but we will have baseball sometime this season. We here at FanSided Fantasy are going to make sure you’re prepared!