Buster Posey: Likely NL MVP

The San Francisco Giants made a run at the postseason a year removed from their unpredictable run to the World Series in 2010 – and they managed to compete even without their star catcher, Buster Posey.  They fell short of the postseason, finding it too difficult to overcome the absence of Posey from the lineup and behind the plate.
 
This season, the Giants found out they were to play the entire season without their All-star closer, Brian Wilson, however, Posey would be returning from his gruesome ankle injury, the result of a nasty collision at the plate in a game in May 2011.
 
Posey has returned with a vengeance.  Since the All-star break, Posey is hitting north of .370, hiking his batting average to .335 (best in the NL). He also has 23 homeruns and 100 RBI with an on-base percentage of .408. The unquestioned offensive and defensive leader of a squad normally known for their pitching has placed himself among the leagues elite.
 
The addition of Marco Scutaro, Hunter Pence, and the steady presence of Pablo Sandoval and Angel Pagan have proven to be very complimentary to Posey’s bat as well. Brandon Belt is finally coming into his own as the Giants hope, but Posey has still become the star of this franchise.
 
When the division race was tight over the months of July and August, it was Posey who was playing his best at the most crucial time of the season. Sandoval went to the DL for a second time, Melky Cabrera was suspended and the lineup was lacking consistency.
 
Buster Posey. He even has a great baseball name. And he’s a gritty, tough catcher who hits cleanup. He defines what a manager like Bruce Bochy (a former catcher himself) would enjoy managing. Even when he give his catcher a day off, he has him play first base so his bat remains in the lineup. His presence is integral for a successful run at a pennant race and another World Series.
 
MVPosey.