23-year old lefty swinging Brandon Belt is a natural 1B. With that in mind, the Giants should move Aubrey Huff to the outfield to make Belt more comfortable defensively. Belt played in 63 games for the Giants last year and he was 42 for 187 (.225 avg, .718 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 9 homers, 18 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Belt also played in 53 games in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 57 for 178 (.320 avg, .989 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 8 homers, 36 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Belt has nothing left to prove in the minors. Belt only made 1 error in 31 games at 1B last year, where he is a better defender than Aubrey Huff is.

35-year old lefty swinging Aubrey Huff won’t give up playing 1B without a battle this spring. Huff played in 150 games for the Giants last year and he was 128 of 521 (.246 avg, .676 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 12 homers, 59 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. He has now played in 307 games in his first two years with the Giants and he is 293 for 1,090 (.269 avg, .789 OPS) with 145 runs scored, 38 homers, 145 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Huff has now played in 1,629 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 1,684 of 6,026 (.279 avg, .808 OPS) with 799 runs scored, 241 homers, 897 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Huff played in 120 games at 1B for the Giants last year and he made 5 errors there. I see him playing a lot of RF in 2012 for the Giants.

27-year old righty swinging Brett Pill comes into this season as the Giants’ #12 prospect according to Baseball America. Pill is the darkhorse in the competition at 1B for the Giants this spring. Pill played in 15 games for the Giants last year and he was 15 for 50 (.300 avg, .881 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Pill also played in 133 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 167 of 536 (.312 avg, .871 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 25 homers, 107 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Pill didn’t have any errors in 14 games for the Giants at 1B last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: B

24-year old righty swinging catcher Buster Posey missed a large chunk of last season after he had his leg tore up in a home plate collision. The Giants are hoping that he will come back in 2012 at 100%. Posey played in 45 games for the Giants last year and he was 46 for 162 (.284 avg, .756 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 4 homers, 21 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 160 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 172 of 585 (.294 avg, .815 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 22 homers, 88 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Posey played in 41 games behind the plate for the Giants last year and he had 2 errors and 3 passed balls. Posey also threw out 11 of 42 (26.2%) base stealers and Giants’ pitchers had a 3.34 ERA with him behind the dish. The Giants need Posey’s bat in 2012, so they hope he can stay healthy.

32-year old righty swinging Eli Whiteside will likely backup Posey in 2012. Whiteside played in 82 games for the Giants last year and he was 42 for 213 (.197 avg, .574 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 4 homers, 17 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 187 games in his first three years with the Giants and he is 101 of 466 (.217 avg, .616 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 10 homers, 40 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 196 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 104 of 478 (.218 avg, .613 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 10 homers, 41 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Whiteside played in 81 games behind the plate for the Giants and he had 5 errors and 7 passed balls. He also threw out 13 of 71 (18.3%) base stealers and Giants’ pitchers had a 3.30 ERA with him behind the dish.

30-year old righty swinging catcher Chris Stewart is going to compete against Eli Whiteside this spring for the right to back up Buster Posey in 2012. Stewart played in 67 games for the Giants last year and he was 33 for 162 (.204 avg, .592 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. He has now played in 93 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 42 for 210 (.200 avg, .563 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 3 homers and 13 RBIs. Stewart played in 63 games behind the plate for the Giants last year and he had 7 errors and 2 passed balls. He threw out 19 of 56 (33.9%) base stealers and Giants’ pitchers had a dazzling 2.70 ERA with Stewart behind the dish.

22-year old switch-hitting Hector Sanchez comes into this season as the Giants’ #10 prospect according to Baseball America. Sanchez played in 13 games in his first taste of the majors last year for the Giants and he was 8 for 31 (.258 avg, .646 OPS) with 1 RBI. He also played in 98 games for the Giants in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 104 of 365 (.285 avg, .780 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 12 homers and 84 RBIs. Sanchez didn’t have any errors in 11 games behind the plate for the Giants last year but he had 2 passed balls. Sanchez threw out 2 of 14 (14.3%) runners trying to steal against him last year and Giants’ pitchers had a 5.29 ERA with him behind the plate.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B

The San Francisco Giants have their top six relievers returning for 2012, so they should have a very tight bullpen once again in 2012. Here is a look at how the bullpen stands for 2012 as of right now:

Closer: Brian Wilson: 29-year old righty Brian Wilson took a small step back in 2011. He pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 6-4 with 36 saves, a 3.11 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Wilson has now played in 313 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 20-20 with 170 saves, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. I look for Wilson to return to his old dominating self once again in 2012.

Set-Up Man: Sergio Romo: 28-year old righty Sergio Romo is one of the best set-up man in the major leagues. He pitched in 65 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 3-1 with 1 save, a 1.50 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP. Romo has now pitched in 207 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 16-7 with 3 saves, a 2.33 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Look for his dominance to continue in 2012.

Righties: Santiago Casilla: 31-year old Santiago Casilla has found a home in San Francisco. He pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 2-2 with 6 saves, a 1.74 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Casilla has now pitched in 101 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Giants and he is 9-4 with 8 saves, a 1.85 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has now pitched in 253 games (0 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 15-8 with 12 saves, a 3.80 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Look for Casilla to continue to rock in 2012 for the Giants.

Guillermo Mota: 38-year old Guillermo Mota pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Mota has now pitched in 108 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Giants and he is 3-5 with 2 saves, a 4.02 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Mota has now pitched in 717 games (0 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 39-44 with 10 saves, a 3.91 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Mota will be working in the middle innings for the Giants in 2012.

Ramon Ortiz: 38-year old Ramon Ortiz pitched in 22 games (2 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Ortiz has now pitched in 296 games (214 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 86-84 with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Ortiz might be able to help the Giants out as the long man in the pen in 2012.

Steve Edlefsen: 26-year old Steve Edlefsen got his first taste of the majors for the Giants last year and it didn’t go too well. He pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 0-0 with a 9.53 ERA and a 2.38 WHIP. He also pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in Rookie+AAA-ball last year in which he was 2-4 with 1 save, a 5.44 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. Edlefsen will likely start the 2012 season in AAA and have to earn his way back to San Francisco.

Boof Bonser: 30-year old righty Boof Bonser will compete for the bullpen job this spring for the Giants. He pitched in 1 game (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Mets last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Bonser last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the A’s & Giants. Bonser has now pitched in 111 games (60 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 19-25 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Bonser will need an outstanding spring if he’s going to win a bullpen job this spring.

Eric Hacker: 28-year old Eric Hacker pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He also pitched in 26 games (25 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 7-14 with a 6.10 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Hacker has now pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. He is a longshot to win a spot in the bullpen this spring.

Yusmeiro Petit: 27-year old Yusmeiro Petit pitched in 7 games (6 starts) in Mexico last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the D-Backs. Petit has pitched in 71 games (36 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Petit will be a big time longshot to make the Giants’ pen in 2012.

Lefties: Jeremy Affeldt: 32-year old Jeremy Affeldt will be the Giants’ top lefty in the pen once again in 2012. Affeldt pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 3-2 with 3 saves, a 2.63 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He has now pitched in 194 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Giants and he is 9-7 with 7 saves, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Affeldt has now pitched in 554 games (42 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 35-35 with 25 saves, a 4.12 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. I look for Affeldt to have another very solid year for the Giants in 2012.

Javier Lopez: 34-year old Javier Lopez pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 5-2 with 1 save, a 2.72 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Lopez has now pitched in 97 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Giants and he is 7-2 with 1 save, a 2.38 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has now pitched in 490 games (0 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 20-11 with 5 saves, a 3.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Lopez will likely have another solid year in 2012 as the lefty specialist for the Giants.

Dan Runzler: 26-year old Dan Runzler had a rough time in 2011 for the Giants. He pitched in 31 games (1 start) for the Giants last year and he was 1-2 with a 6.26 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Runzler has now pitched in 83 games (1 start) in his first three years with the Giants and he is 4-2 with a 4.06 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Runzler will make the Giants’ pen in 2012 if they are comfortable with having three lefties in it.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: A

The Giants have signed 29-year old lefty starter/reliever Travis Blackley to a minor league deal. Blackley didn’t pitch at all in 2011. He last pitched in the majors back in 2007 with the Giants. He has pitched in 8 games (all starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-3 with a 9.35 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP. Blackley is going to be a big time longshot to make the Giants’ pitching staff this spring.

The Giants have signed 38-year old righty reliever/starter Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal. Ortiz pitched in 22 games (2 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 296 games (214 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 86-84 with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Ortiz will compete for the #5 job in the starting rotation or the long man in the bullpen this spring.

UPDATE: (3/26/2012) - The Giants have released Ramon Ortiz.

The Giants have designated 31-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Christian for assignment. Christian played in 18 games for the Giants last year and he was 12 for 47 (.255 avg, .647 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 0 homers, 4 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 42 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 22 for 87 (.253 avg, .638 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 0 homers, 10 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The Giants needed Christian’s roster spot for Ryan Theriot.

UPDATE: (2/15/2012) - The Giants have released Justin Christian after he cleared waivers.

UPDATE II: (2/16/2012) - The Giants have re-signed Justin Christian to a minor league deal. He will compete for a bench spot on the Giants this spring.

Forget the Philadelphia Phillies’ starting rotation, as the Giants are just as stacked in the starting rotation heading into the 2012 season. Here is a look at how the rotation stands right now:

#1: Tim Lincecum: 27-year old righty Tim Lincecum is one of the best pitchers on the planet Earth. He finished 6th in the Cy Young Award voting last season as he pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Giants last year in which he was 13-14 with a 2.74 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Lincecum has now pitched in 156 games (155 starts) in his first five years with the Giants and he was 69-41 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Lincecum has already won 2 Cy Young Awards in his career, and there is no reason to think he can’t win another one if he gets improved run support.

#2: Matt Cain: 27-year old righty Matt Cain is really close to being a legit ace for the Giants. He finished #8 in the voting for the Cy Young Award last year. Cain pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Giants last year and he was 12-11 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Cain has now pitched in 204 games (203 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 69-73 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Cain, like Lincecum, is going to be a finalist…if not the winner of the Cy Young Award in the N.L. in 2012. Remember, it was Matt Cain that led the Giants to winning the World Series with flawless pitching in the post-season a couple of years ago.

#3: Madison Bumgarner: 22-year old lefty Madison Bumgarner really pitched his butt off last year for the Giants. Bumgarner pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Giants last year and he was 13-13 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He has now pitched in 55 games (52 starts) in his first three years with the Giants and he was 20-19 with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. The sky is the limit for Bumgarner as he has outstanding stuff combined with pitching know how.

#4: Ryan Vogelsong: 34-year old righty Ryan Vogelsong came out of nowhere to pitch excellent for the Giants in 2011. He pitched in 30 games (28 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 13-7 with a 2.71 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Vogelsong has now pitched in 47 games (28 starts) in his first three years with the Giants and he is 13-10 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 150 games (61 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 23-29 with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. The Giants hope that 2011 wasn’t a mirage, but a sign of things to come for Vogelsong.

#5: Barry Zito: 33-year old lefty Barry Zito will have to win the #5 job in the starting rotation this spring. Zito pitched in 13 games (9 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 3-4 with a 5.87 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has now pitched in 146 games (140 starts) in his first five years with the Giants and he is 43-61 with a 4.55 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Zito has now pitched in 368 games (362 starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 145-124 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Zito will need to step up if he wants to be in the starting rotation in 2012.

Eric Surkamp: 24-year old lefty Eric Surkamp is a very serious threat to Barry Zito’s spot in the starting rotation this spring. Surkamp pitched in 6 games (all starts) for the Giants last year and he was 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He also pitched in 24 games (23 starts) in A+AA-ball last year and he was 11-4 with a 1.94 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Surkamp has a very nice upside.

Clay Hensley: 32-year old righty Clay Hensley will also get a shot to win the #5 job in the Giants’ rotation this spring. Hensley pitched in 37 games (9 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 6-7 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has now pitched in 211 games (49 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 24-29 with 7 saves, a 3.94 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. If Hensley doesn’t win a job in the starting rotation this spring, he might pitch out of the pen for the Giants.

Brian Burres: 30-year old lefty Brian Burres is a huge longshot in the competition for the #5 job in the rotation. He pitched in 5 games (2 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Burres has now pitched in 106 games (56 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 18-25 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: A