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Despite a strong effort, the San Francisco Giants failed to make the postseason in 2015. Injuries played a key role in San Francisco’s postseason absence, as the Giants had to deal with both important pitchers and position players spending time on the shelf. On paper, the Giants look like they’ll be contenders in 2016, but these five players will need to stay healthy for that to happen.
5. Brandon Crawford
Credit: Getty Images5. Brandon Crawford
Crawford has developed into a key piece in San Francisco's puzzle, especially after the power he showed in 2015, hitting 21 home runs and 33 doubles. More importantly, he's the team's starting shortstop. Unlike a couple of other positions, the Giants don't have much depth behind him, so Crawford staying healthy is imperative if they are going to make a return to the postseason in 2016.
4. Brandon Belt
Credit: Brad Mills - USATODAY Sports4. Brandon Belt
Belt missed a good chunk of the 2014 season due to injuries, but the Giants still managed to make the postseason and eventually win the World Series. However, back then San Francisco had other players capable of playing first base on their roster, a luxury they don't exactly have this year unless they want to put Buster Posey at first base full time, which is not ideal. If Belt plays, the Giants know he'll produce in the middle of their order, so they need him to stay healthy this season.
3. Madison Bumgarner
Credit: Getty Images3. Madison Bumgarner
With the additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, the Giants can probably survive without Bumgarner for at least a short period of time. However, if San Francisco is thinking about returning to the World Series, they're going to need a healthy Bumgarner to help take them there. Cueto and Samardzija give San Francisco's rotation great depth, but neither is the ace Bumgarner is, making his health something the Giants need in 2016.
2. Hunter Pence
Credit: Peter G. Aiken - USATODAY Sports2. Hunter Pence
Pence was limited to just 52 games last season, and obviously that didn't work out well for the Giants. He has the most pure power on San Francisco's roster, so the Giants can't afford to have him missing from the middle of their lineup. The addition of Denard Span helps give San Francisco's outfield more depth, but that doesn't mean they can survive another long absence from Spence in 2016.
1. Buster Posey
Credit: Getty Images1. Buster Posey
When Posey missed most of the 2011 season the Giants missed the playoffs, so they know what life is like without him and it's not easy. Posey is arguably the best catcher in all of baseball, and there's little doubt that he's the most important player in San Francisco's lineup day after day. Backup Andrew Susac had an unimpressive 2015 season and is a huge drop off from Posey. Losing Posey to injury would be disastrous for the Giants in 2016.
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