Buster Posey is carrying the San Francisco Giants to October ball

Sep 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher

(28) hits a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently, Buster Posey had enough of a 3-game losing streak.  Posey continued his amazing second half and homered against Josh Collmenter, to lead the Giants to victory. The Giants were collectively stymied by Collmenter on Tuesday night and by all means, the season as a whole.  Don’t count Buster Posey in that group, though. Posey’s career numbers against Josh Collmenter are absurd: 11 for 18, with 3 home runs and 18 runs batted in.

Buster is now slashing: .312 AVG/.363 OBP with 21 home runs and 86 runs batted in on the season.  He is in contention for a batting title in the NL, as he ranks third, only behind Josh Harrison of the Pirates and Justin Morneau of the Rockies.

Posey’s second half has been incredible, to say the least. In 209 at-bats after the all-star break, Posey has 11 home runs, 40 runs batted in,  76 hits and is batting .363, with an OBP over .400.  How does he stack up against his peers?  Well, among players with at least 150 at-bats in the second half in the majors, Posey is 2nd in average (behind only Jose Abreu), 7th in OBP, and 3rd in slugging.

Sep 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46) and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) celebrate after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Giants won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

These numbers conjure memories back to the 2nd half of the 2012 season.  Fans are well aware of how Buster Posey won the NL MVP and propelled the Giants to a World Series victory.  In 257 second half at-bats in 2012, Posey hit 14 HR, 60 RBI, and sported a .385 AVG/ .456 OBP.  With just under 2 weeks in the 2014 season, Posey may still come close to repeating some of these statistical benchmarks.

Posey’s second half offensive production is even more amazing considering his position.  As a catcher there is physical demand on the legs: Catching a grueling, nine innings for a large part of a whole season. Also, there is mental fatigue from calling pitches for a battery mate. To not only excel in these areas, but to be the top hitting threat in the lineup is simply awe-inspiring.

Buster Posey has a stealth chance at the NL MVP award this season.  More importantly, Posey is doing everything he can to ensure the Giants punch their ticket to the postseason.  I feel national coverage has been turning a blind eye to Posey’s production in the second half.  If the 27-year old catcher continues on this tear deep into October, it’ll be hard for media outlets to let Posey’s heroics continue to fly under the radar.