Predicting the Giants Key Stat Leaders in 2013

RBI: Buster Posey

Buster Posey led the Giants with 103 RBI in 2012, and there’s a good chance he improves upon the mark in 2013 for a couple reasons.

For one, Posey will have Marco Scutaro as his table-setter for a full year. Scutaro was almost a lock to get on base after coming over from the Rockies at the trade deadline–well, you know what I mean. This will equate to more RBI opportunties for Posey, if Sandoval doesn’t always drive him and Angel Pagan in.

Posey is usually deadly with men on base. In 2012, he hit .353 with runners on any base, and .340 with runners in scoring position.

Mar 2, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) runs to first during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, Posey will presumably have better lineup protection behind him. Yes, the Hunter Pence trade didn’t pan out last year, but he has a chance to leave a better impression on Giants fans in 2013. Not to mention that he’s a free-agent after the season. That’s a little added incentive right there.

If Pence can revert back to the days where he hit in the .290’s with 20-25 home runs, then teams won’t be able to pitch around Posey.

San Francisco’s lineup will be deeper in 2013. Injuries aren’t avoidable, and the Giants do have some guys that can fall into that trap occasionally. But if the core part of the lineup stays healthy, Posey should have plenty of base runners to drive in.

Projection: 109