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Buster Posey, #28
Position: Catcher; Bats: Right; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 3rd season; 25 years old
Background: Along with Matt Cain, a clear team leader, Posey was the best player in major league baseball after the 2012 All-Star break. Following his Rookie of the Year performance during the Giants' 2010 World Series championship season, he suffered a terrible leg injury in a 2011 home-plate collision. How much he would contribute this season was in question, but throughout the season he showed he was resilient, playing in 147 games, winning the National League batting championship, driving in more than 100 runs and establishing himself as a leading MVP candidate. A great player.
Buster Posey's statistics -
Marco Scutaro, #19
Position: Infield; Bats: Right; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 11th season; 36 years old
Background: One of the best mid-season acquisitions made by the Giants. Scutaro caught fire when he came over from Colorado and was one of the most productive hitters in baseball during the second half of the season, finishing with career highs in most offensive categories. Filled in at third when Pablo Sandoval was injured, then took over second when the Panda returned. He played fine defense and provided a powerful presence in the No. 2 spot in the lineup .
Marco Scutaro's statistics -
Angel Pagan, #16
Position: Outfield; Bats: Both; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 7th season; 31 years old
Background: When Pagan became the permanent leadoff hitter, the Giants' offense clicked as it had not before. Pagan's production as an igniter was more striking considering his rough spring training. But he heated up quickly and adjusted to various places in the batting order as the team sorted itself out. His hot hitting early helped the Giants remain competitive, and then the move to the top of the order tied it together. Also played solid defense in center field, showing off the speed that also led to 29 stolen bases.
Angel Pagan's statistics -
Hunter Pence, #8
Position: Outfield; Bats: Right; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 6th season; 29 years old
Background: Along with Scutaro, another big acquisition, coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Nate Schierholtz in a trade-deadline deal. Though Pence hasn't hit for high average with the Giants, he has driven in runs, finishing the regular season with 104, a career best. Fast and intense, Pence played solid defense in right field and, hitting in the fifth spot in the lineup, put muscle behind Posey.
Hunter Pence's statistics -
Pablo Sandoval, #48
Position: 3rd base; Bats: Both; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 5th season; 26 years old
Background: One of the team's most popular players, "The Panda" has battled injuries and his weight to remain an important part of the Giants' lineup, hitting third and playing a sometimes-excellent third base. Sandoval's lifetime .303 average shows what he can do, but his record of following good seasons with mediocre ones keeps management and fans waiting for the kind of consistency around which a team can build. He could be a key to how far the Giants progress in the postseason.
Pablo Sandoval's statistics -
Brandon Crawford, #35
Position: Shortstop; Bats: Left; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 2nd season; 25 years old
Background: Crawford's early-season fielding trouble caused concern, but as the season progressed, he became one of the N.L.'s best-fielding shortstops, mixing spectacular plays with close attention to the routine ones. He is considered a potential Gold Glove winner. Though still an offensive work-in-progress, Crawford produced several key hits and rapped 26 doubles. Among his four homes runs was his second career grand slam.
Brandon Crawford's statistics -
Brandon Belt, #9
Position: 1st base; Bats: Left; Throws: Left
MLB Experience: 2nd season; 24 years old
Background: Belt finally figured it out at the plate during the final two months of the season, raising an average that had bumped along in the .230-.240 range to his final mark of .275, and his .360 on-base percentage was among the team's best. Big, fast and quick, belt is a base-sealing threat and a deft first baseman. Observers hope Belt adds more power to his offensive production, though he had 27 doubles and six triples to go with seven home runs.
Brandon Belt's statistics -
Matt Cain, #18
Position: Pitcher; Bats: Right; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 8th season; 28 years old
Background: Cain signed a multi-year contract before the season and responded with the best season of his eight-year career. His perfect game against Houston in June was a first for the Giants and a spotlight performance that brought Cain national attention as one of the major leagues' best right-handers. His 16-5 season brought his career record above the .500 mark, a milestone made harder in previous seasons by league-low run support. Thugh just 28, Cain has played for the Giants longer than any other current team member.
Matt Cain's statistics -
Madison Bumgarner, #40
Position: Pitcherr; Bats: Right; Throws: Left
MLB Experience: 4th season; 23 years old
Background: Bumgarner showed his potential in the 2010 World Series when he pitched eight innings of shutout, three-hit ball in beating the Texas Rangers. At age 21. After a rough start in 2010, he became a reliable and sometimes great starter and followed this year with career highs in wins (16) and pitched his first career shutouts whiles completing two games. He also provided offensive punch, hitting two home runs.
Madison Bumgarner's statistics -
Ryan Vogelsong, #32
Position: Pitcher; Bats: Right; Throws: Right
MLB Experience: 8th season; 35 years old
Background: Vogelsong resurrected his career in 2011, rejoining the Giants, who drafted him in 1998, earning a spot on the N.L. All-star team and winning 13 games. He pitched even better through much of the 2012 season until a late-season slump slowed his momentum. But Vogelsong was excellent in his final three starts, allowing one run in 17 innings and finishing with 14-9 record. Has a reputation for being intense on days he pitches. A hard fastpball, tight curve and sharp control are keys to his success.
Ryan Vogelsong's statistics
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