National League 2010 Playoffs: San Francisco Giants Young Player Review

by John Sickels on Oct 5, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Finishing up the look at rookies and players 24 or younger, we turn to the San Francisco Giants.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Madison Bumgarner, LHP: Pitched most of the season at age 20, rookie went 7-6, 3.00 with an 86/26 K/BB in 111 innings, 119 hits. Worries about velocity drop proved overblown and he had a very successful season by all accounts. I still have some workload concerns, he threw 194 innings this year at a young age, but his efficiency helps. Drafted in the first round in 2007 from high school in North Carolina.

Buster Posey, C: 23 year old rookie, hit .305/.357/.505 for the Giants, 18 homers, threw out 37% of runners and gave up just one passed ball. The Giants couldn't have asked for a better debut, and it isn't a fluke, he's genuinely this good. Drafted in the first round in 2008 from Florida State University.

Dan Runzler, LHP: 25 years old, 3.03 ERA with 37/20 K/BB in 33 innings, 29 hits. Needs sharper command, but he gets grounders and strikes people out, good profile for a bullpen guy. Was a ninth round pick in 2007 from UC-Riverside.

Pablo Sandoval, 3B: Turned 24 in August, though it seems like he's been around forever. Hit .268/.323/.409 for the Giants, 13 homers, 34 doubles, not as impressive as 2008 or 2009. I think his true level of ability is somewhere in the .280-.300 range with 15-20 homer annual power, though with his body he may not age well. Signed as a free agent in 2003 out of Venezuela.

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Read More: Pablo Sandoval (3B - SFG), Buster Posey (C - SFG), Madison Bumgarner (P - SFG), Dan Runzler (P - SFG), San Francisco Giants

Comments

Sandoval

Does anyone have an update on his eye condition? Could that be a reason for his dramatic drop off this season?

by King Billy Royal on Oct 6, 2025 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

Just your typical case of "regressionitis"

Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Oct 6, 2025 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

+

What he needs to do is come down with a virulent strain of forkitis.

by royshowell on Oct 6, 2025 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Bumgarner

Except for a true clunker against the Reds in late August, Bumgarner had a tremendous rookie season. He went 5+ IP in 17 out of 18 starts (the one game being “the clunker”) and gave up 3 runs or less in 14 out of 18, yielding 4 runs in three others and 8 runs in the one bad game he had.

He also had a 3.3 - 1 K-BB ratio and averaged almost 7 K´s per 9 IP - actually slightly better than his more recent minor league ratios.

by Doob on Oct 6, 2025 1:34 AM EDT reply actions

Also he didn’t show a lot of signs of fatigue down the stretch. In the last 4 or so starts he started to consistently hit 94 with the fastball and he’s been known to be within the 91-92 range. He’s got the physical makup of a true workhorse.

by drose1988 on Oct 7, 2025 5:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I am truly impressed by Madison Bumgarner’s season. This is his first season pitching every fifth day and he has come through in flying colors. Expect big things from the big fella.

by wilriv21 on Oct 7, 2025 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

His velo actually went up fairly progressively.

Not a huge increase or anything, but still…

Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Oct 7, 2025 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Buster Posey

Posey has had a great season and this whole Giants team has been a pleasure to watch. I’ve seen my favorite team’s catcher have two past balls in one game! Posey only has one all season? That is amazing.

Jeff Wise
http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com

by Baseball Hitting Tips on Oct 6, 2025 8:57 AM EDT reply actions