It’s no secret that the San Francisco Giants have geared themselves toward contending in the NL West by stockpiling a powerhouse pitching staff. Yet, the lingering question that hangs ominously over this club is their ability to score runs.

Call it what you want, this year’s version of the Giants is perhaps the poster-child for “little ball.” With no bonafide homerun hitter, let alone a power bat of any recognition in their lineup, the Giants are going to be forced to force the issue. Luckily for them, speed never slumps.

If you’re going to go to war, you’ve got to have some weapons, and the Giants have a very intriguing arsenal.

Highlights in the Lineup:

As noted, speed doesn’t slump, and there are plenty of wheels lined up by the Bay. Fred Lewis, Emmanuel Burriss, Eugenio Velez and Randy Winn give the Giants speed up and down the lineup. With Winn slated to lead off, Lewis likely to hit third or fifth, and Burriss and Velez sure to see time, manager Bruce Bochy will have multiple options in his attempts to manufacture runs for a team that undoubtedly will struggle to hit the ball out of the yard.

With Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand and the addition of Edgar Renteria, the Giants lineup will feature experienced and smart professional hitters. Look for Aaron Rowand to rebound in 2009 and post a better average and OPS than his 2008 campaign as he continues to adjust his game to the cavernous AT&T Park. And, think of Edgar Renteria as Randy Winn (their career numbers are remarkably similar) hitting behind Randy Winn–and, don’t be surprised to see Renteria flourish back in the NL.

The question marks absolutely remain at the corner infield spots where the Giants are likely to feature a pair of rookies in Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa. However, don’t sleep on either player. Sandoval exploded onto the scene last last year. While there shouldn’t be a high expectation on “Little Money” to hit for huge power numbers, he showed himself to be a very capable hitter for average and, depending on his slot in the lineup, can drive in a lot of runs. Ishikawa–a prospect whom the Giants have given ample time to develop in their minor league system–is loaded with power potential. He’s been impressive in Spring Training and he gives the Giants a large threat from the left side of the plate.

Yet, without a lot of power in the lineup San Francisco is going to have to once again rely heavily on their fantastic pitching. This is one area where the Giants have truly loaded their cannons.

Highlights from the Mound:

One through five on the mound, the Giants are capable of a shutout every time out. And, with a mix of power and finesse, the Giants will likely get a quality start just about every day. There’s nothing to say about Tim Lincecum that hasn’t already been said; Randy Johnson is a powerful and perfect veteran fit; Matt Cain continues to improve his craft and is poised to have a breakout season; Barry Zito might actually work as the most overpaid fourth starter in history; Jonathan Sanchez has the attention of most everyone around baseball.

If the Giants need help in the roatation, they are deep in the minors with the likes of Madison Bummgarner, Kevin Pucetas, and Pat Misch. There is also the question of Noah Lowry’s health and his impending return from rehab.

The Bullpen is also stockpiled with power arms and crafty pitchers. With All-Star Closer Brian Wilson anchoring the back end, and new veteran additions Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt bridging the seventh and eighth innings, the tail end of the bullpen might be comparably strong to 2002’s Rodriguez, Worrell, Nenn combination.

With Jack Taschner as a trusty lefty arm, and one of the open spots likely to go to Sergio Romo, the Giants will have a couple of bullpen slots up for grabs. While those holes are likely to be filled by power arms such as Billy Sadler or Alex Hinshaw or Merkin Valdez or even veteran Brandon Medders, the Giants are well staffed with guns in their bullpen arsenal.

Whether or not the Giants will have enough offense to contend in the NL West remains to be seen. This team has the trappings of a group that will likely play very well together–they are just young enough and maybe just dumb enough to not believe that they’re not supposed to compete with the likes of the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.

While they are missing a bat or two to resemble last year’s Tampa Bay Rays, the pitching staff is young and powerful, and many of the players are homegrown and developed to play well in AT&T Park. The Giants are on the right path to building toward contending again, and they might even be ahead of schedule.