At age 25 and just entering his prime, Buster Posey launched 24 home runs in a NL MVP winning season in 2012. Since that point, however, Posey has never again reached that mark, and has only hit over 20 home runs one other time during his 10 year career. Through 117 plate appearances this year, Posey has just two jacks, but has faired well at the plate overall, with a slash line of .317/.385/.442. Last season, Posey hit just 12 home runs in 140 games.
On Tuesday, Gary Radnich asked Giants general manager Bobby Evans about Posey’s decline in power over the years. Evans presented two possible theories.
“I think that his power when he was in college, was really to right-center,” Evans said. “You know he’s had to make adjustments at the big league level, because right-center power doesn’t play at AT&T Park. So I think it probably has been an adjustment. You know his power’s not a pull-down-the-foul-line home-run-type power. I mean he’s more of a right-center power type guy which doesn’t play at AT&T. So I think it’s probably had an impact there.”
Evans also believes a change in approach may have something to do with it.
“Maybe the focus has not been as much about driving the ball as getting on base and trying to get guys across when they are in scoring position.”
Radnich then asked Evans if Posey’s decline in power has to do with an undisclosed injury.
“I don’t think any of these guys are 100 percent healthy,” Evans responded. “I think that he straps it on everyday because he’s Buster Posey, and that’s who he is. There’s no way, if you’re a catcher in the big leagues, that you are 100 percent healthy. You’re carrying things all year.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Evans on Posey, start from 5:15.