At one point during the week, amidst the swirl of trade rumors, it seemed as though the San Francisco Giants would not leave Milwaukee without finding another heavy bat to add to their sometimes light lineup. Though they may not have found that bat just yet, the Giants appear to have found out something much, much better.
On Tuesday night, the Giants were treated to a brilliant performance as Madison Bumgarner (2007 1st Rd, 10th overall) stifled Ryan Braun and Co. One night later, it was Buster Posey (2008 1st Rd, 5th overall) who provided the fireworks.
Hitting fifth in the lineup and playing first base, Buster Posey led the Giants to a 15-2 rout over the Brewers recording career highs in hits (4), home runs (2), and RBIs (6).
Posey’s first career grand slam came in the fourth inning off of Chris Capuano who had just entered the game in relief of struggling Brewers starter Chris Narveson. Narveson (7-6) only lasted 3.1 innings surrendering 10 runs (9 earned).
For the Giants, who seem to have been looking for offense since the days of Barry Bonds, the game started off with a bang. Andres Torres blasted a lead-off home run followed one batter later by an Aubrey Huff round-tripper. After Pat Burrell singled, Buster Posey turned on one to give the Giants an early 4-0 lead which was all Tim Lincecum would require to turn in his ninth win of the year.
The three first inning home runs marked the Giants’ first time accomplishing the feat since 1999, which ironically also came against the Brewers (maybe there’s something in the sausage).
As for Buster Posey, things could not be better right now.
After signing a $6.2 million deal with the Giants as the 5th overall selection in 2008, Posey began his first full minor league season in ‘09 on the San Jose Giants (high single-A) before a mid-season promotion to the Fresno Grizzlies (triple-A). Posey excelled at every level last season and was later rewarded with a September call-up when rosters expanded to 40.
Starting 2010 in triple-A was merely a formality for the line-drive spraying catcher who may already be the best hitter on the team. In 34 major league games since his call up, Posey is batting a healthy .331 with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
Originally spending most of his time manning first base, Posey saw spot starts at catcher as the backup to veteran Bengie Molina. With last week’s trade that saw Molina become a Texas Ranger, the Giants organization reaffirmed its belief in Posey’s ability to handle one of the best pitching staffs in Major League Baseball today.
With the trade deadline looming, the SF Giants will have some interesting decisions to make over the next few weeks. Well within striking distance of first place in the division and armed with a blossoming farm system, many believe the Giants should be motivated to do some shopping.
As for now, the front office is graciously watching as its recent string of first round draft picks transform their promising potential into eye-popping kinetic.
SF Giants 1st Round Draft Choices
2009 – Zach Wheeler
2008 – Buster Posey
2007 – Madison Bumgarner
2006 – Tim Lincecum
