Good news for Giants fans, big money for Posey. Here’s the press release from the Giants website.
ATLANTA, GA — The San Francisco Giants have signed catcher Buster Posey, their 1st pick and the fifth overall selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced tonight. The Giants have come to terms with 30 players from this year’s draft, including 27 of their first 31 selections.
Per club policy, terms were not disclosed.
Posey capped off one of the greatest seasons in Florida State history winning the 2008 Golden Spikes Award, which is emblematic of the top amateur player in the country. He is the third Giant to receive the honor, joining Tim Lincecum (2006) and Will Clark (1985). The junior backstop won every major Player of the Year award in 2008, winning the Dick Howser Trophy and Brooks Wallace Award while claiming the Johnny Bench Award for the nations’ top collegiate catcher. He was also named Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America and Rivals.com, along with being tabbed the Most Outstanding Player of the Tallahassee Regional after hitting .474 (9-for-19) with five home runs and 13 RBI in leading Florida State to the College World Series.
Posey, a 6-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter finished the season as the national leader in six offensive categories including batting average (.463), hits (119), RBI (93), total bases (226), slugging percentage (.879) and on-base percentage (.566). He also finished third in runs scored (89) and tied for 3rd in home runs (26). A native of Leesburg, GA, Posey was also honored for his stellar work behind the plate, earning a Rawlings Gold Glove Award as he posted a .983 fielding percentage in 62 starts. He threw out 40.7 percent of would-be-base stealers and also recorded six pickoffs.
Posey is just the third catcher taken by the Giants with their #1 pick, with the others being Dave Rader in 1967 and Bob Cummings in 1978. He was previously drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 50th round of the 2005 draft, but did not sign.
