For the last couple seasons, the workload of Giants catcher Buster Posey has been a spring training storyline and 2017 is no different.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy called into Fitz and Brooks Thursday from Scottsdale to discuss the balancing act of keeping Posey in the lineup and keeping him fresh throughout the 162 game regular season.
“I’d like to give him a few more breaks, though, to be honest,” Bochy said. “There were a few times last year because of injuries, I had him scheduled to take a day off and he had to play. I just think he’s going to be a better player. It’s going to serve him better to get a couple more days off here or there.”
Posey played 146 games in 2016, 150 in 2015, 147 in 2014, 148 in 2013 and 148 in 2012. His consistency and durability behind the plate is part of the reason he’s likely a future Hall of Famer. Believe it or not, Posey will turn 30 next month.
“I keep track of these guys, I mean consecutive days they play. But more importantly, how the game is going. If you play two or three long games and Buster is back there catching, 190-200 pitches, that’s tougher to catch than six or seven easy games in a row. There’s a lot of variables that come into play on resting guys. We’re really on the cutting edge of this sports science stuff.”
Listen to the full interview below.