Your San Francisco Giants have shown some promise after the All-Star break, despite the 53-55 record. It still may not be promise of being a playoff contender, given they are fourth in the National League West, and eighth in the Wild Card standings.

However, given that team President of Baseball Operations Farhan Ziadi has less than 48 hours to sell off any talent he’s no longer inspired by, and make any big moves, the Giants have switched things up in just 10 games after the All-Star break.

So, let us note the recent positives.

Robbie Ray
In his first game with the Giants this year, Ray showed excellent command, allowing no hits through five innings, eight strikeouts, and just one earned run. Farhan knew the former Cy Young winner wouldn’t be able to pitch until after the All Star break. And this may be the double edge sword the Giants signed up for.

Tyler Fitzgerald
The rookie has continued to set franchise records, given his short stint, and looks like he wants to be a part of the future. He homered in five consecutive games last week, and has been the first Giant since Barry Bonds to record seven home runs in an eight-game span. This includes two home runs against the Colorado Rockies Friday night.  If he stays consistent, the 26-year-old might stay on the roster for good.

Blake Snell
The Giants' other former Cy Young winner, Snell, after a couple of injuries and rough starts given virtually zero spring training, has seemed to find his groove. Snell recorded six socreless innings, striking out 15, with no earned runs in a win against Colorado Saturday afternoon. For reference, he’s given up 8 runs in his last 32.2 innings, with a 2.20 ERA, and seems to be locking in.

Hayden Birdsong
The rookie nobody seemed to talk about in the offseason clearly has MLB-level attributes. He’s given up just four runs in his last sixteen innings, and seemed to have his hair on fire against Colorado, earning a career-high 12 strikeouts, in six innings, giving up just two earned runs. At 22, and since his debut against Chicago on June 26, he’s already looking like the usual homegrown pitching talent San Francisco has been scouting since the World Series years.

Home is good
The Giants have a 32-22 home record, which is only behind the Phillies and  Dodgers. If one thing is consistent on this team, they tend to figure things out at Oracle Park.

With the trade deadline on July 30, Farhan Ziadi has some decisions to make. He can ride out the team as is, and make minimal moves, or try to be a contender this year with the talent the Giants have already. It looks bleak, being 3 games under .500 after the break, but there is some shining talent among the mishaps.

Perhaps, just like the Warriors, there are two timelines to adhere to. The 50+ games left to make an attempt, and the future to be built. If all goes well in the rotation, the Giants have two Cy Young winners in Robbie Ray and Blake Snell, a rising, well-above-average talent in Hayden Birdsong, and of course, the young veteran All-Star in Logan Webb. If all pitch to their potential, it's a ‘98 Braves, 2012 Giants-looking rotation, or better.

Also, the bats that work, work. Heliot Ramos is the only offensive All-Star, and seems to be one of three bats to hang onto in the future. Tyler Fitzgerald is allergic to both striking out and hitting just a single, and Patrick Bailey seems to be one of the only Giants to have timely hits. Matt Chapman has a wonderful glove at third, and has embarked on a streaky season at the plate. But similar to Jorge Soler, when he hits, it goes far.

Speaking of Soler, the veteran sits at just .235 as of Satuday June 28, slightly underperforming, given his power potential. He owns 13 blasts on the season, but has the potential to be World Series MVP, as he was one for the Braves in the 2021 World Series.

The Giants are in a peculiar position, but not a bad one necessarily. They have the opportunity to keep a wonderful, star-studded pitching rotation, retain powerful hitters, and develop rising talent in their organization. If the message of who stays doesn’t become clearer by the trade deadline, it will be during 2024 Winter Meetings. The future is bright.

Top image: Derek Hill #48 of the San Francisco Giants high fives Tyler Fitzgerald #49 after a win against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on July 28, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)