San Francisco Giants: Why Buster Posey Should Win the 2012 National League MVP

Buster Posey has been a grinder for the San Francisco Giants this season, and a player who deserves the National League MVP Award.

Since he broke into the big leagues in 2010, where he batted .305/.357/.505 and ran away with the Rookie of the Year Award, Posey has been an instrumental part of the Giants lineup.

Not only does he call a great game, but he brings a youthful energy to the squad, an energy that's hard to maintain.

Buster Posey is hands down the most important player on a Giants squad inches ahead in the N.L. West pennant race. 

Why? Because he's their backbone.

Before the enthusiasm Bryce Harper and Mike Trout brought to the game, Posey showed the world he's able to carry a World Series team on his back. 

His presence on the diamond is electric, so it's not a shocker San Francisco missed the postseason last year after losing Posey 45 games into the season.

But alas, he's back and better than ever, setting career highs in every major hitting category. And if he hasn't already, he's on pace to have the best season of his young career.

Thus far he's batting a blistering .328/.394/.542 to go along with 17 homers, 23 doubles and 41 walks.

But above all, there are two statistics that stand out most about Posey: his 41 RAR and 4.2 WAR.

In simpler terms, the Giants are a better ball club with Posey in their lineup, from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.  

Although guys like Melky Cabrera and Andrew McCutchen will headline the MVP crew, don't be surprised to hear Buster Posey's name called, because he's been climbing to the top of a lot of hitting categories.

And he hasn't even played 100 games yet.