Buster Posey’s numbers at the plate took a hit during the second half of last season, something that lead many to argue that his defensive duties as a catcher are beginning to take their toll on the 30-year-old. Posey hit just three home runs after the All-Star break after hitting 11 in the first half, and saw declines in his batting average, slugging percentage and on base percentage.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow is not buying that argument, however, and said that Posey is a unique case in the sense that his catching actually has a positive impact on his production at the plate when he joined Murph and Mac on Thursday morning.
“I would say yes immediately,” Krukow began when asked if catching is having a negative affect on his hitting. “But if you look at the history of Posey, I mean his second halves have always been his best halves. I just don’t think it applies to him. When you’re a hitter that uses his hands, I think you want a quiet lower body. It almost seems to me that when his lower body gets tired, he uses his hands more and, it sounds ridiculous to say, but he becomes a better hitter.”
Posey played 122 games at catcher last season, while playing just 11 at first base as a fill in for Brandon Belt.
“So I don’t think it applies to him,” Krukow continued. “I think last year was just something that happens to every player. You have those years where you’re not as efficient as productive as other years. I don’t think that he’s a guy that you can say the second half of the season takes away from his abilities.”
Nearly all of Posey’s numbers at the plate in 2016 were below his career averages.
Listen to the full interview below.