A Pocketful of Buster Posey: San Francisco's Slugging Catcher

For over two years, we’ve heard that Matt Wieters is the next must-have backstop in the majors. In fact, many have already selected him as the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year.

But you don’t have him on your fantasy team because someone else does.

So who’s next in line to make a splash behind the plate?    

Buster Posey (Gerald Demp III  just doesn’t have the same ring to it as Buster).

The fifth overall selection by the San Francisco Giants in 2008, Posey joins a stellar group of recent first round selections: Madison Bumgarner (2007), Tim Alderson (2007) and Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum (2006).

And the farm is still rich in talent.   

The right handed Posey slugged .879 in his junior season at Florida State and took home the 2008 Golden Spikes Award, The Johnny Bench Award and has collected various other pieces of hardware throughout his high school, Cape Cod and collegiate career.

In return, the Giants rewarded the former shortstop with a $6.2 million signing bonus.

After being drafted, Posey played in 15 games across three low minor teams and batted a combined .351 with 1 HR and 6 RBI, registering a 1.088 OPS.

He then hit .338 with 15 RBIs in 19 games for the Waikiki Beach Boys of the Hawaiian Winter League for a grand total of .328 with 23 RBIs in 34 games in his first stint playing professional ball.

And he didn’t disappoint in Spring Training either.

While he will continue to develop his catching skills in the minors, it seems as if his bat is ready for the big show. Posey should end up catching what will arguably be the most electric young pitching staff in the majors next year.  

Look out Bengie Molina.

In the post Wieters fantasy era, Posey is one player who could transform the catcher position from afterthought to priority for those in keeper leagues.  

JZ