Giants Spring Training Preview: Catchers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 10: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a two run single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at AT&T Park on August 10, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-10. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

The Incumbents

Even in a season in which he played through a pretty serious hip injury, Buster Posey was still one of the most productive players at his position. He put up a respectable .284/.359/.382 slash line and played his usual above average defense. However, last year proved that the Giants Captain America is mortal, and he has only hit six homers since July 2017. Many believe his power will return after his hip procedure, but there is of course no guarantee. If Posey’s worst case is a similar slash line to 2018, the Giants will still have one of the best catchers in the game until he is ultimately moved to first base à la Joe Mauer, but we can enjoy him in the squat for the time being.

Aramis Garcia

With the departure of Nick Hundley, that leaves only Garcia as the other catcher on the Giants 40 man roster. This would mean the Giants believe Garcia is a real option for the backup position despite only playing in 19 games last season. This could be because of his positional versatility (10 games at catcher, 7 games at first base) as well as his relative youth (25 years old). However, Garcia has always had an incredibly high strikeout rate in the minors and was even higher in his short cameo last season, striking out 31 times in only 65 plate appearances. Garcia may be in for a huge offensive regression, but he provides nice positional flexibility as well as some nice power for the catching position.

The Incumbents

Schedule