Sports Pro File: San Francisco Giants First Baseman Buster Posey

It was apparent to the management of the San Francisco Giants that, after two months of this 2010 season, their offense needed to add some punch. The answer for their offensive woes may have been in their minor league system all along, and his name is Buster Posey. Posey was called up from AAA Fresno on May 29 and immediately made an impact, collecting three hits and three runs batted in during his first game with the Giants in 2010.

Posey made his major league debut on September 11, 2009 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He did not set the baseball world on fire in the 17 at bats he was able to get last year, as he managed just two hits, both singles. Even after the inauspicious start there was little doubt that Posey would be back in the majors sooner rather than later.

Gerald Demp "Buster" Posey III was born March 27, 1987 in Leesburg, Georgia. He was given the nickname Buster from his dad, who was also had that nickname when he was a kid. Coming out of high school he was drafted in the 50th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the Anaheim Angels. Instead of signing with the Angels Posey decided to attend college at Florida State University. He was a catcher at FSU who really blossomed in the 2008 season. He a .463 batting average with 26 home runs and 93 RBI that season. He was awarded the Johnny Bench Award, for the best college catcher, and the Golden Spikes Award, for the best all around college baseball player, in 2008.

After his stellar college career Posey was taken in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Giants, who had the fifth pick. Since then he has climbed the ranks in the minors by hitting at least .300 in each step of his minor league journey. In 2009 he developed some power, hitting 18 home runs between his two minor league stops.

Although he was mostly a catcher in the minors, he did get some work in a first base this season, playing there for 12 games. This season in the majors he will primarily play first base, because the Giants have veteran Bengie Molina at catcher. In the future it is hard to tell where the Giants will play Posey, but he is in the majors because of his bat. Although he got a late start and the field of Rookie of the Year candidates is impressive, look for Posey to make a charge and land himself in the top five in voting. If the Giants decide to keep Posey at first base the corner infield spots, with Pablo Sandoval at third base, will be a source of much excitement for Giants fans.

Sources:

Baseball-reference.com, Buster Posey page

the baseballcube.com, Buster Posey page