The starting pitching depth chart for the entire organization is such a massive undertaking, I decided to divide it up. We'll divide it up into 3 parts here: MLB, High Minors, Low Minors. The Giants have a solid situation for their 2017 rotation with 4 SP's who are capable of pitching like an ace on any given day and 3 candidates for the 5'th spot in the rotation.
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, 27 yo.- 15-9, 2.74, 226.2 IP, 2.14 BB/9, 9.97 K/9. Bumgarner is still probably the ace of the staff, although Johnny Cueto is at least a co-ace statistically.
Johnny Cueto, RHP, 31 yo- 18-5, 2.79, 219.2 IP, 1.84 BB/9, 8.11 K/9. Great season for Cueto. If he repeats it in 2017, he will almost certainly opt out of the rest of his contract. If he does, the Giants should thank him for his 2 great seasons and let him go.
Jeff Samardzija, RHP, 32 yo- 12-11, 3.81, 203.1 IP, 2.39 BB/9, 7.39 K/9. Wow! Samardzija is 32 yo but seems like he's about 28, still learning to pitch and just coming into his own. Had a great first 2 months of the season then a terrible middle two months. To his credit, he almost completely rebuilt his repertoire on the fly and had a sub-3 ERA over the last 2 months of the season. Can he carry that rebuild into and through 2017?
Matt Moore, LHP, 28 yo- 6-5, 4.08, 68.1 IP, 4.21 BB/9, 9.09 K/9. These numbers, compiled after his trade to the Giants do not really do justice to what kind of a pitcher he was or can be in 2017. He had a couple of disaster starts in September that blew up his ERA, but he also had several dominant starts including a gut check 8 innings agains the Dodgers on the final weekend. Then, he had Game 4 of the NLDS won before the bullpen disintegrated in the 9'th inning. I am expecting big things from Matt Moore in 2017!
Matt Cain, RHP, 32 yo- 4-8, 5.64, 89.1 IP, 3.22 BB/9, 7.25 K/9. Bumgarner and Cueto are the aces, but Matt Cain is the dean of the Giants pitching staff. That and $20 M says he gets the first shot at the 5'th starter gig entering 2017. He will be on a fairly short leash though.
Ty Blach, LHP, 26 yo- 1-0, 1.06, 17 IP, 2.65 BB/9, 5.79 K/9. Blach was mighty impressive, especially in that start against the Dodgers on the final weekend. Some people might think a BABIP of .152 is not sustainable, though. Still, first in line behind Matt Cain for the 5'th SP job.
Albert Suarez, RHP, 27 yo- 3-5, 4.29, 84 IP, 2.79 BB/9, 5.79 K/9. Suarez was a life saver for the Giants through the rough patches, but never pitched quite well enough to trust in any type of must-win situation. That is probably OK for a sixth-starter/swingman role, but the Giants will be looking to upgrade.
Christ Heston, RHP, 29 yo- Heston missed almost the entire season with injury. He's still on the 40 man roster. He could be in the mix if he is fully healthy and nothing else is clicking for the #5 SP.
