San Francisco Giants Need a Star Hitter

The San Francisco Giants were tied for first in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers for fewest runs allowed with 611 in the 2009 season. The Giants led the major leagues in strikeouts, complete games, shutouts, and opponents' .233 batting average against them was best in baseball. But, with 657 runs scored, the Giants ranked 26^th in the majors. Despite their fantastic pitching, they missed the playoffs with an 88-74 record.

The Giants' incredible pitching staff is led by right handed starter Tim Lincecum. The 25-year-old Lincecum is just 5-11 and 170 pounds and looks more like a skateboarder than a major league pitcher. However, he has won the National League Cy Young award in each of the past two seasons. Lincecum has racked up 526 strikeouts in those two seasons, just his second and third seasons in the major leagues. Fellow 25-year-old right handed starting pitcher Matt Cain was a Cy Young award candidate in 2009, as he posted a 14-8 record with a 2.89 earned run average. The two combined for eight complete games and two shutouts this past year. After Lincecum and Cain, the Giants have a duo of left handers in Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez who each had an earned run average of below 4.25. Sanchez tossed a no-hitter on July 10^th this past season, and came an error away from a perfect game. Right handed closer Brian Wilson converted 38 saves in 45 opportunities, posting a 2.74 earned run average.

Third baseman Pablo Sandoval, 23, is one of baseball's young budding stars. His .330 batting average ranked second in the National League, and he socked 25 home runs to go with 90 runs batted in. The 5-11, 246 pound Sandoval ranked sixth in the National League in slugging percentage (.556) and seventh in the National League in on-base plus slugging percentage (.943). Second baseman Freddy Sanchez is a solid hitter that was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2009 season. However, other than him and Sandoval, the team doesn't really have an above-average hitter at any other position. Bengie Molina is an above-average hitter at catcher, but the team may not want to resign the 35-year-old free agent. The Giants could really use a bat like Jason Bay or Matt Holliday in the outfield. A player of their caliber could make San Francisco a dangerous team combined with Sandoval, Sanchez, and the team's phenomenal pitchers.

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