Giants' starter prospects might shift to relief

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants don't have too much pitching, because the well-worn cliche says that's impossible. But they might utilize some of their young arms differently than they had intended.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that a few individuals among their perceived surplus of starters could break into the Majors as relievers.

"We've even discussed that with some of them," Bochy said.

The Giants would have a logjam of starters if all of their prospects develop capably -- which, under baseball's law of averages, is an unlikely event. Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, who are signed through 2017 and perhaps longer if option years kick in, are already established in the rotation. The Giants also are waiting on Kyle Crick, Clayton Blackburn, Chris Stratton, Martin Agosta, Ty Blach and Edwin Escobar, among others.

Crick, the organization's No. 1 prospect who's ranked No. 32 baseball-wide by MLB.com, likely will remain a starter. So will Escobar, who's considered the most Major League-ready among the Giants' youngsters.

"Right now, we want him starting," Bochy said of Escobar, who's rated 95th on MLB.com's prospect list. "He has a different look about him this spring. I think he sees he's a guy who's in the mix. He's knocking on the door right now."