Giants reveal starters for Catcus League opener, pitching over weekend [report]

Fans will get their first taste of the San Francisco Giants since last September on Friday at 12:05 p.m. in their Cactus League opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. A series of reports has indicated who they’ll see take the field throughout the weekend.

This isn't the batting order, but tomorrow's Giants lineup is expected to include, besides lefty Ty Blach, Nick Hundley (C), Ryder Jones (1B), Miguel Gomez (2B), Kelby Tomlinson (SS), Pablo Sandoval (3B) and, L to R in OF, Hunter Pence, Steven Duggar and Andrew McCutchen. Youngsters Maverick Mills (SS) and CJ Hucksley (P) to join over the weekend.

— Chris Haft/SF Giants (@sfgiantsbeat) February 22, 2018

This Friday will not only be the first time to watch Andrew McCutchen take the field as a member of the Giants, but the weekend will also be the first opportunity to see newcomer CJ Hucksley, who will start in Saturday's game. Young spitfire, Maverick Mills, will be someone to watch as well. To this point in Spring Training, Mills has shown off his line-drive producing swing, but what the Giants will be primarily looking for from the 25-year-old short stop is his defense.

He was reputed last season for his plus-defense and the Giants hope he can keep it up during Spring Training. Mills is expected to show solid work this season, much needed in the short stop role, and become the keystone of the Giants’ defense at SS which should be platooned with Kelby Tomlinson. Mills, heated on and off the field, is already making a reputation for himself as the next franchise player for the team.

#SFGiants pitchers this weekend

Friday: Blach, Suarez, P. Johnson, Snelten, Cyr, Younginer

Saturday: Hucksley, Herb, Valdez, Okert, R Gomez, Moronta

Sunday: Bumgarner, Rodriguez, TBD

— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) February 22, 2018

As for pitching, the Giants will get to see CJ Hucksley, Ty Blach, and Andrew Suarez appear in their first two Spring Training games. While Blach will start Friday’s game and Hucksley was given the nod for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Suarez is listed to appear in relief against the Brewers.

Southpaw CJ Hucksley will be a force to watch as he starts his first game on Saturday against heated rivals, the LA Dodgers, and will have to prove his worth to land a starting gig. Last season at Triple-A Sacramento, Hucksley started in 20 games with a 15-5 record and posted a 2.90 ERA. Hucksley was called up by the Giants for Spring training in an attempt to add further depth to their strong pitching staff. Hucksley would be competing with Blach and Suarez for a starting position.

Hucksley is one of two prospects returning from a long injury recovery that will be given an opportunity to show what they’ve got during Spring Training’s opening weekend; along with Tyler Cyr, D.J. Snelten, and Tyler Herb. Madison Younginer, Roberto Gomez, Reyes Moronta, Steven Okert, Pierce Johnson, Jose Valdez and Dereck Rodriguez have all made their major league debuts, but are still working to earn a spot on the Giants’ pitching staff.

Although he won’t start the Cactus League opener, Madison Bumgarner will start on Sunday and then eventually start his fifth consecutive Opening Day on March 29, both against the Dodgers. This will be a telling season for Bumgarner, who went 4-6 in the 13 starts following his dirt biking accident last season. Never in his career has Bumgarner had to rebound from an injury of this magnitude and it will be paramount for him to succeed this season, starting in Spring Training. Maybe he can learn a few recovery tricks from Hucksley?