Evaluating the Giants' top 5 wins of 2019

SAN FRANCISCO -- President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has said that he hopes the addition of two newcomers -- general manager Scott Harris and manager Gabe Kapler -- will help take the Giants into the future. But sometimes it’s helpful to look back before looking forward.

While the Giants disappointed in 2019, there are still valuable insights to be gleaned from some of their best moments of the year. Here’s a look at what the Giants’ top five wins can tell us about 2020.

1. 12-11 win in 11 innings vs. CIN
May 3

After missing the entire 2018 season while rehabbing from major shoulder surgery, Stephen Vogt returned to the Majors and helped the Giants pull off a comeback that was nearly as impressive as his own. Vogt went 3-for-3 in his Giants debut as San Francisco erased an eight-run deficit and secured its first win at Great American Ball Park in three years. Vogt crushed a game-tying home run off Reds closer Raisel Iglesias with two outs in the ninth to force extra innings, and Evan Longoria capped the improbable rally by launching the decisive shot in the 11th, matching the largest comeback win in Giants history.

What does it tell us about 2020?

It should come as no surprise that the Giants’ biggest comeback victory of the season took place on the road. The Giants struggled to generate enough offense at Oracle Park and went only 35-46 at home, but they often looked like a different team on the road, where they finished 42-39. One of the major challenges for Zaidi and Harris will be to find hitters who can produce more consistently at Oracle Park, which is expected to feature slightly different dimensions to accommodate the relocated bullpens in 2020. Power will be prioritized this offseason, along with players with track records of hitting well in San Francisco.

2. 10-7 win in 10 innings vs. MIL
July 12

All-Star closer Will Smith suffered his first blown save of the season after Christian Yelich tripled and scored to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but the Giants quickly responded in the 10th after Buster Posey launched a go-ahead grand slam off Matt Albers. It marked Posey’s first grand slam since June 24, 2015.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Posey’s grand slam was one of only seven home runs he hit over the worst offensive season of his career, but the Giants are hoping their franchise catcher will be able to rebound next year as he continues to progress even further from his August 2018 hip surgery. Posey remains an elite defender, but Kapler might not be as keen on keeping Posey’s bat in the middle of the lineup if he doesn’t bounce back in 2020.

3. 3-2 win in 16 innings vs. NYM
July 18

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner dominated, allowing only one run over nine innings, but he did not factor into the decision after the game required extra innings. Still, the Giants ultimately rewarded his effort by rallying for their sixth consecutive win. National League Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso homered to give the Mets the lead in the top of the 16th, but Donovan Solano delivered a walk-off single that capped the Giants’ final insurrection in the bottom half of the inning.

What does it tell us about 2020?

It will be hard to replace Bumgarner if he departs via free agency this offseason. Not only will the Giants be down 200 innings at the top of their rotation, but they’ll also miss Bumgarner’s intensity and competitiveness on the mound. The 30-year-old left-hander turned down San Francisco’s one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer and has already been linked to the Phillies, Yankees and Padres. The Giants will be in the market for starting pitching depth, but it’s unclear how much interest Zaidi will have on potentially bringing Bumgarner back on a long-term deal. The club’s two rotation upgrades from last offseason -- Derek Holland and Drew Pomeranz -- both signed one-year contracts.

4. 10-9 win in 11 innings vs. ARI
Aug. 16

The Giants weren’t built to win a slugfest, but they crushed six home runs -- including three from rookie Mike Yastrzemski -- to come away with this wild victory at Chase Field. San Francisco allowed two late leads to slip away before Yastrzemski delivered a tiebreaking solo shot in the 11th inning. The Giants and D-backs combined to hit 12 home runs, falling one shy of the Major League record.

What does it tell us about 2020?

Yastrzemski emerged as one of the Giants’ best acquisitions this season, putting him in line for a significant role in their 2020 outfield. While he’s on the older side at 29, the Giants believe he has a swing that can handle Major League pitching and will enable him to sustain the success he enjoyed as a rookie. Zaidi’s constant roster tinkering helped unearth nice pieces like Yastrzemski, so expect him to continue making moves to incrementally improve the club this winter.

5. 1-0 win vs. MIA
Sept. 13

Tyler Beede showcased his tremendous potential over 6 2/3 innings against the Marlins, yielding only three hits while walking one and striking out five. Two fellow rookies, Tyler Rogers and Shaun Anderson, recorded the final eight outs to complete the shutout.

What does it tell us about 2020?

The Giants weren’t afraid to give inexperienced pitchers opportunities in their rotation in 2019, and they’ll be counting on several of them to continue to further their development next season. Beede, Anderson, Logan Webb and Dereck Rodríguez endured their share of growing pains this year, but this shutout victory over the Marlins also served as a reminder of the upside of youth. Regardless of the acquisitions they make this offseason, the Giants will need improved production from their younger starters to bolster a rotation that ranked 13th in the National League with a 4.77 ERA this year.