San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants struck out in developing major league talent for most of the 2000s, but that trend has turned around recently.

Born and bred within the Giants organization, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Buster Posey are emerging as perennial superstars in the major leagues. They have demonstrated leadership and poise during baseball's biggest stage, the World Series.

Many formidable predecessors donned the orange and black on day one of their professional careers. Will "The Thrill" Clark was one of them, along with many others.

As February dawns here in 2011, that can only mean one thing for baseball fans, here comes spring training. And with the breath of fresh air and the feeling that only a beginning can supply comes a time when all the questions are going to be tackled. For three months us Giants fans have been basking in the glow of a World Series victory, the first for the city. And now, the Giants must begin their first title defense in the history of San Francisco.

It appears as though a subtle paradigm shift has occurred. Teams are starting to become more defensive oriented-the balance of power in the league has shifted back over to the pitchers. The generation of this league full of pitchers, some already star and some knocking on the door to stardom.

Here is a look at the top 10 pitchers and the ballparks they may be most comfortable pitching in.

Begin Slideshow

Over the past year, the nation has gotten a chance to see the hilarious actions of Brian Wilson over and over again. His appearances on the Jim Rome Show and the Letterman Show seemed to be his best material. Looks like we were wrong.

Wilson has made mention of his altered ego, a sex crazed maniac bent on domination. He calls this alternate personality "The Machine." It looks as if the Machine has struck again, and this time on the George Lopez Show.

Revert back to July 10, 2009. After struggling earlier in that season, Jonathan Sanchez, after being banished to the bullpen, spot started for the injured Randy Johnson.

The result on that fateful night was a dazzling performance against the San Diego Padres, as he no-hit them in an 8-0 rout. Not a single walk tainted Sanchez's line.

Fast forward to Oct. 23, 2010. The Giants are battling the Phillies in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series in Philadelphia, needing a big start from their left-handed hurler.

Marc Kroon has agreed with the San Francisco Giants on a one-year deal, according to Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

For those of you who have never heard of this guy, Kroon was drafted by the New York Mets back in 1991. After short stints with the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies. His career ERA in Major League Baseball was 7.43.

Buster Posey was a large reason why the San Francisco Giants capped off their 2010 campaign with a World Series pennant. Posey is one of the next up-and-coming stars of the game and expectations are high after an incredible rookie season.

In 2010, Posey posted a .305 batting average to go with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs over 108 games. After the Giants traded starting catcher Bengie Molina away on June 30^th, allowing Posey to slip into the starting role full time, the 39-36 Giants went on a 53-34 tear to end the year, winning the NL West.

Tim Lincecum is entering his fourth full season in San Francisco.  In his first three seasons, Lincecum won 40 games and only lost 17.  He won Cy Young awards in his first two full major league seasons, the only player ever to do so.

It's amazing that Tim Lincecum's 2010 season, where he went 16-10 with an ERA of 3.43 and 231 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched, can be considered a down year.  That's how good this guy is. 

Last year, for the first time in 56 years the San Francisco Giants won the World Series.

Looking at their roster, it's easy to see who was most responsible for their victory.

The Giants boast one of the top rotations in the league, including a two-time Cy Young winner in Tim Lincecum, an All-Star in Matt Cain and two of the best young pitchers in the game with Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner. Their shut-down pitching was a key reason for their win in the Autumn Classic.

But let's take a look at their offense.

With the NFL playoffs in full swing and conference showdowns this weekend bringing the four remaining teams closer to the ultimate prize, it’s easy to see why football is on the mind of the sporting world. With the college football season finally at its end, fans of the sport are eagerly turning towards the pro circuit and how could they not?

Jets at Steelers? Intense matchup.
Packers at Bears? Great rivalry.