– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:47 pm
Giants 2017 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2017 San Francisco Giants predictions? The San Francisco Giants’ even-year magic ran out last season, as the team failed to win the World Series in an even-numbered year for the first time since 2008. They found their way into the playoffs again, however, and remain a favorite to do so again in 2017 – even if it is an odd-numbered year.
MLB Giants Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Closing the door on games was a big issue a season ago, and may have been the difference in the team failing to make the World Series.
Had they been able to get the final three outs in Game 4 of the NLDS and sent that series back to Chicago with Johnny Cueto and Madison Bumgarner on tap, who knows how that series would have played out.
2017 MLB Team Previews – San Francisco Giants
- National League West +280
- National League +600
- World Series +1200
Key Additions:
- Mark Melancon
- Nick Hundley
- Jae-gyun Hwang
The Giants’ big offseason acquisition was Melancon, who will be called on to shut the door for the Giants in the ninth – a major issue for the bullpen a season ago.
Melancon’s dealt with velocity issues over the last couple of seasons, and it appeared he might be regressing in a big way at the start of the 2015 season, but he’s been lights out since then for the Pirates and Nationals.
Nick Hundley and Jae-gyun Hwang will provide depth at catcher and in the infield, respectively, but little else.
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With limited salary space in the budget, a run at Yoenis Cespedes to help shore up one of those corner outfield spots wasn’t realistic, and reported trade talks with the Detroit Tigers about J.D. Martinez never went anywhere, leaving a hole or two in the outfield.
Key Losses:
- Santiago Casilla
- Sergio Romo
- Angel Pagan
The losses of Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo hurt the depth of the team’s bullpen, but neither was able to hold onto the closer role for very long last season.
Angel Pagan is out, as is Gregor Blanco, so there’ll be a bit of a youth movement in the Giants’ outfield to fill those holes.
Giants Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- CF Denard Span
- 1B Brandon Belt
- C Buster Posey
- RF Hunter Pence
- SS Brandon Crawford
- 3B Eduardo Nunez
- 2B Joe Panik
- LF Jarrett Parker
There aren’t many names that really jump off the page in the Giants’ lineup, but there’s enough talent there to put the team in position to win given the quality of the team’s pitching staff, and the defense this group will be able to play.
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Buster Posey is the heart and soul of this offense, and they’ll need him to return to his MVP-calibre form. He’s one of the best pitch-framers in baseball, but giving him a bunch of starts at first to keep his bat in the lineup is key.
Brandon Belt seems destined for a true breakout season some time in the near future as he continues to show all the tools necessary to be an elite hitter in the bigs. Keeping Hunter Pence healthy is important with so little outfield depth behind him.
The 21-home run season was a bit of a fluke, but Brandon Crawford does have some pop in his bat, and has shown an ability to cash in runners batting in the middle of the order. He also upped his batting average by 19 points year over year.
Giants Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- LH Madison Bumgarner
- RH Johnny Cueto
- RH Jeff Samardzija
- LH Matt Moore
- RH Matt Cain
This is still a team that very much relies on its starting pitching to win games, and there may not be a better 1-2 punch atop any rotation in the bigs than Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto.
Bumgarner reminded the world a year ago that there’s no better person to hand the ball to in a one-game, winner take all scenario than him.
Giants Predictions: Projected Closer:
- RH Mark Melancon
The Giants’ front office deserves a ton of credit for turning a big weakness into a strength in the offseason by bringing in Melancon to close out games.
While the team lost a little depth in the bullpen in the process, Melancon is the kind of proven stopper the team has been needing to pitch the ninth inning for years.
2017 San Francisco Giants Prediction:
It may not be an even-numbered year, but the Giants are certainly a contender to represent the National League in the World Series.
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They’re a risky bet given that one or two injuries could completely blow up their offense, but if their key players can stay healthy, few teams are as tough an out in a seven-game series as the Giants.
What do you think of our 2017 San Francisco Giants predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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