SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
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O/U WINS: 75.5
KEY PLAYER: Mike Yastrzemski. The grandson of Carl Yastrzemski was the Giants’ most valuable player a year ago and even received NL MVP votes after batting .297 with a 165 OPS-plus. He has become more than just a good story. PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: In his first two seasons with the Giants, Mauricio Dubon has hit .276 in 82 games.
But there may be another level for the infielder/outfielder to reach. NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Heliot Ramos. The highly regarded outfield prospect made it to Double-A in 2019 and is still just 21, but could find his way to San Francisco before long this season. BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Is this
Buster Posey’s farewell? The catcher opted out of last season for COVID-19 reasons and the Giants got a look at the future in Joey Bart. Posey is back and has a club option for 2022, but after getting a taste of retirement last year, might that sway him in that direction?
HOW IT’LL GO DOWN:
At a time when plenty of teams are getting younger, the Giants have a projected starting infield of ages 32 (Brandon Belt/ Tommy La Stella), 33 (Donovan Solano) and 34 (Brandon Crawford), with 35-year-old Evan Longoria in reserve and the 34-year-old Posey behind the plate. Besides Dubon, their outfield isn’t much younger. There may not be growing pains, but aging pains could be real.
PROJECTED LINEUP 3B Tommy La Stella 2B Donovan Solano RF Mike Yastrzemski LF Alex Dickerson C Buster Posey 1B Brandon Belt SS Brandon Crawford CF Mauricio Dubon
ROTATION
RHP Kevin Gausman RHP Johnny Cueto RHP Logan Webb RHP Anthony DeSclafani RHP Aaron Sanchez