Posey vs Molina: The Case for Posey

During their careers, there was always a debate about whether Yadier Molina or Buster Posey would be chosen to be behind the plate for the National League in the All Star Game. This choice that voters were presented with each year was a microcosm of the long heated debate that raged about who was the best catcher of their time. I believe and will argue that it was Buster Posey. To give a bit of background on Buster Posey’s career, he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants as the fifth overall pick in the 2008 MLB draft. Ironically, after working his way up from the minors, Posey got his first Major League start due to the injury of the Giants catcher Bengie Molina, brother of Yadier Molina. He started off his career hot, securing the NL Rookie of the Year award, and leading his team to a 2010 World Series championship. As a rookie, Posey quickly excelled and led his team not only behind the plate, but at bat, something Molina could never equate with. It did not take long for him to find the fourth spot in the Giant’s batting lineup, as the cleanup hitter, due to his consistency at the plate, while also securing his place behind the plate with his defensive skills. Posey was instrumental in turning around a team that had not won a World Series since 1954, paving the way for a career of greatness.
Surely there can be no debate that Posey is the superior offensive player between the two. While it is hard to compare hitting stats, since Posey played in the MLB 7 fewer years than Molina before retiring, Posey still competes in many areas despite 2,502 fewer plate appearances. Specifically, when comparing yearly data he dominates in the home run and walks count, with an average of 13 home runs per season to Molina’s 9, as well as 45 walks annually to Molina’s 28 further proving his superiority on offense. As you can imagine, the awards for Posey’s offensive feats rolled in and throughout his career was awarded four Silver Slugger Awards, to Molina’s one. This stat can’t be understated, because the Silver Slugger Award is awarded to the best offensive player, irrespective of league and position. Since Posey and Molina both played the same position as well as both being in the National League, this meant they would go head to head for this award every year, and Posey dominated in a much shorter career. Posey was a great offensive player for his entire career finishing all time with a high batting average of 0.302 compared to Molina’s lower average at 0.277.
With Posey undoubtedly the better offensive player of the two, arguments sparked throughout their careers about who was superior defensively. One of the most important defensive stats is how many runs someone has saved due to their defensive efforts. Posey had 121 defensive runs saved compared to Molina’s 169, and when taking into consideration Posey’s much shorter career it only further proves his dominance. Posey’s continued consistency throughout his career defensively is largely in part to his athleticism and quickness that Molina lacked. In a career that was seven years shorter, Posey was awarded one gold glove for his defensive skills while Molina was only able to achieve three more in a 19 year long career.
Overall, while looking at career stats, it looks like Molina is the better player. However, this is just because of Molina’s longer career and if you look at yearly stats Posey crushes Molina in nearly all aspects. Posey was able to use his talents to help his team win games, and unlike Molina, Posey’s seasons lasted much longer than Molina’s as he was able to not only make it and win in the postseason and World Series more than him, but he also excelled in these games. He became the National League MVP after his team’s World Series championship in 2012, something Molina never accomplished. Posey’s success in some of the most important games at the highest level just adds to his already distinguished career over Molina’s.