San Francisco Giants Spring Training Preview: Catchers

The San Francisco Giants are heavily invested in their franchise catcher, and for a good reason. Buster Posey’s starting spot is safe, but the competition for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart could get as hot as a sunny dessert day in Scottsdale.

We continue our San Francisco Giants full spring training preview! This time, we look directly at the catchers, so let’s jump right into it!

Buster Posey

The San Francisco Giants are heavily invested in their franchise catcher  and for a good reason. Buster Posey is arguably the backbone of this franchise and will have a permanent spot as the team’s backstop this season.

Bruce Bochy might as well carve Buster Posey’s name into the lineup card for the next five seasons. 

Although I am confident in statements, two scenarios could limit Posey’s time calling pitches in 2017.

The first scenario is comparable to doomsday. Posey suffers another season ending injury like he did in 2011, he’s out for the remainder of the season, and is forced to consider whether his future behind the plate is even an option.

The second scenario is still unsettling for a die hard Giants fan but is bearable compared to the last. The Giants increasingly rely on the backup man as Posey grows older and becomes more susceptible to immobility in his lower half.  The second option is very unlikely to happen this season but will be a legitimate scenario as Posey grows older.

Either option gives the deputy catcher an ample amount of playing time and a vital role on the roster.

Knowing me, I probably just jinxed something. Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of 2011…..knock on wood.

Nick Hundley

After last season’s disappointment the front office was ready to make critical offseason moves to strengthen the bullpen and bolster the bats. We kissed goodbye some of our favorite Giants to make room for some new additions. One of those new additions in 33-year-old veteran catcher Nick Hundley.  

Huntley signed a one-year $2 million deal with the organization in January and will give the Giants more consistency at the plate than Trevor Brown.  Hundley has spent most of his career behind the plate for the Colorado Rockies, and will be a front runner in the backup competition. Last season Hundley played in 83 games, knocked in 48 RBIs, and finished with a .260 batting average.

Trevor Brown

Now, I could argue that the No. 2 spot behind the plate he’s still a competition between Trevor Brown and Nick Hundley, but Hundley’s veteran experience and consistent bat leave him to be the premier option. He will most likely begin the 2017 season catching for the Sacramento River Cats

Brown’s hitting has kept him from being a top prospect. His defense, and the fact that he’s the incumbent backup, still gives him a shot in the competition.

But, if the competition goes in Hundley’s favor, Trevor Brown should thank him. Instead of playing once every blue moon in relief for Posey, Brown will get more playing time in Sacramento and can hopefully develop power and consistency in the box. 

Tim Federowicz

Judging by his twitter profile, Tim Federowicz is ecstatic to be apart of the San Francisco Giants organization. Seriously,  the man has yet to practice with the team and already he is photoshopping himself into a Giants uniform.

With the recent addition of Hundley, the chances of Federowicz grabbing the No. 2 or the No. 3 spot in Scottsdale are slim.

Federowicz made his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2011 at San Francisco. (Ha….full circle moment) In 106 career games, Federowicz hit .194/.243/.295 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. Last season he played in 17 games for the World Series champion Cubs. He’s bringing a positive attitude and a world series ring to San Francisco.

Federowicz has a lot to look forward to. Depending on how well he shows in Scottsdale, he could slip into Trevor Brown’s slot as the third catcher on the depth chart.