Buster Posey’s Best Years are Coming

For a team that was never supposed to win the 2010 World Series, the San Francisco Giants have sure quieted the doubters. Since the 2010 title, the Giants have soared to a remarkable three postseasons in five years, with each postseason appearance resulting with a World Series ring. While the Giants have had more than one leader for the ball club, one player has certainly set the pace for the ball club, and that is Buster Posey.

The recently-voted Face of Major League Baseball (a fun fan interactive contest) — Posey —  has lived up to that title.

Out of Florida State, Posey was selected in the 2008 MLB Draft in the first round, fifth overall. In college, Posey was primarily a pitcher and shortstop until his sophomore season. Athletic enough to make the switch, he made the permanent move to catcher. In 2008, Posey won the college player of the year award for his performance.

After only needing two seasons in the minor leagues, Posey received the call-up to the big leagues in 2010 — arguably what ended up changing his life and the course of the Giants’ franchise.

Since Posey’s rookie season in 2010, the Giants have gone on to win three World Series. Posey has earned NL Rookie of the Year honors, an NL MVP award, one NL batting title, two Silver Slugger awards, and is a two-time All-Star.

Oct 22, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey hits a single against the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning during game two of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

If this isn’t already great enough — remarkably — Posey’s best days may still be right around the corner.

Coming into the league, Posey wasn’t alone in the hype. A fellow Georgia native, Jason Heyward, was in the discussion for Rookie of the Year. Unlike Posey, Heyward began the season on the Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster and started off the season with a home run in his first game. Being called up in June, Posey took the league by storm, pushing the favorite aside and taking the Rookie of the Year honors from Heyward.

In the first round of the playoffs, the rookies squared off, and the Giants and Posey beat the Braves to reach the NLCS.

Through the rest of the 2010 playoffs, Posey took command behind the plate and came up clutch in the NLCS to beat a Goliath in the Philadelphia Phillies. Posey had a clutch hit against the Cy Young winner Roy Halladay that surprised many fans and TV broadcasters, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

While Posey was a rookie, his game and composure was already advanced to the likes of a veteran backstops in the league. Mature beyond his years, Posey’s future was promising.

Posey’s bat was always electric and was going to earn him success in the league. Even upon call up in his rookie season, the Giants were concerned about Posey’s defense. His call up was a test. Little did the Giants know his call up would account for more than just a rookie season.

Shining during 2010 season, 2011 turned out to be a shock to baseball and the Giants’ organization.

More from San Francisco Giants

• Thank you SF Giants for a fun, wild, surprising 2020 season
• SF Giants lose in heartbreaking fashion and miss 2020 MLB playoffs
• SF Giants: Mike Yastrzemski named 2020 Willie Mac Award recipient
• SF Giants: Chadwick Tromp placed on IL with shoulder strain
• SF Giants: Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners postponed

The then-Florida Marlins outfielder, Scott Cousins, scored on a controversial home plate collision with Posey. The home plate play folded Posey’s leg and ankle into weird proportions, and all of AT&T park cringed and became speechless. 45 games into the 2011 season, Posey’s season was clearly done, and the future was in question.

Through a rigorous therapy and long recovery, Posey returned to make a comeback from his injury and played better than ever. Receiving reps at first base and catcher, this would help ease the leg back into everyday action. With a .336 batting average and leading the Giants to the playoffs again, Posey won the biggest award in baseball, the NL MVP. That was the first MVP for a National League catcher since Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. What is more remarkable about the MVP season is the fact this came one year removed from a serious leg injury. The MVP also brought Posey the 2012 Comeback Player of the Year award.

The injury was brutal, but Posey turned it into a plus and made Giants’ fans forget about that day in 2011.

Awards and World Series titles have already decorated Posey early in his career. Entering 2015, Posey will be 27 and leaves the question — what more is there to expect?

Prime seasons for major league baseball athletes tend to start around ages 27-32. At that point, the best years of their career are expected to occur. With so much already displayed by Posey, it is hard to scope out what’s left that he can do to take his game to the next level.

One benefit for Posey’s game could be the departures of Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse.

Both Sandoval and Morse were the protectors in the lineup for Posey last season. There is already panic and pressure in the lineup as to who will produce to replace the runs both the third baseman and outfielder in 2015. Already hitting over .300 for his career, Posey has always had power, but has focused on making hits to drive in runs.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Posey is also an excellent hitter with great vision, as he aims for a balance between walks and strike outs. Posey’s vision may slip some now as he may be expected to produce out of the clean up spot and be more aggressive in the box. The pressure should not phase Posey, but only increase his stats more. Posey’s run production should improve.

After taking reps at first base for days off at catching, Posey has developed into a better hitting first baseman as opposed to a catcher. As a move to first base is not far-fetched  for Posey, Brandon Belt is in the way for that to occur on a regular basis. But Posey is not Joe Mauer who needs to play first base now from the stress to the knees. Posey wants to continue to catch as much as he can.

Offensively, there’s much to praise about Posey’s game, but his defense tends to go unnoticed.

Yadier Molina, arguably the game’s greatest defensive catcher in history, steals the spotlight with defense. He’s a cement wall with a strong arm who guns down runners stealing on him at a successful rate. Molina is a perennial Gold Glove winner.

While Posey isn’t as flashy on defense like Molina, he certainly shares similar characteristics. Both possess great ball blocking skills, quick releases, and toughness. What separates Posey from Molina is the ability Posey has to call a game, and knowing what pitches to signal. Give credit to manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti for coaching the players, but it is catcher’s job to control and settle the game.

Posey is the point guard.

If Molina wasn’t in the way, Posey would add a couple Gold Gloves to his resume of highly acclaimed awards. The game has not seen a well-rounded catcher since the play of Bench for the Cincinnati Reds in the 70’s. The Giants have the modern day Bench in Posey.

A generational player with easily a decade left to play, Posey still has mojo left in the tank. Leadership behind the plate, and a force with the stick, the Giants have homegrown the newest legend since Willie McCovey and Willie Mays.

While it has been an unfortunate offseason for the Giants, one thing to remember is the valuable piece they still possess — the new face of the sport.

As for the sweet, country boy from Leesburg, Georgia, he is just looking to provide a San Francisco treat for all.

Next: San Francisco Giants: Week 3 Spring Training Update

\