by Michael Duca

There will be time when Giants All-Star catcher Buster Posey will be molded into a older veteran category. In many circles he’s at that point already at 28. Posey and three other Giant representatives who are at Tuesday’s All-Star game is the youngest All-Star contingent in the history of the mid summer classic. Posey finished the first half .314, 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 46 runs scored.

Brandon Crawford also represents SF with a first first half total of .262, 12 HR, 52 RBIs, 42 runs scored, he struggled when he first came on the scene but in the last two seasons his infield partner second baseman Joe Panik started out the same way. He had a very difficult time handling the ball with multiple errors committed.

Everyone was wondering if Panik was ever going to settle in the position and we all know the answer to that from game seven of the World Series last year when Crawford and Panik turned in one of the most spectacular double plays in World Series history. It was off the strength of that play and his play in the World Series that Crawford raised his national profile.

Panik finished the first half with a .308 clip, 7 homers, 33 RBIs, and 47 runs scored, he reminds me of someone else who came up and just kind of took the position by storm and that was former Giant second baseman Robby Thompson who had a great career and Panik fits the old Robby mold. Defensively Panik is very skilled, offensively rock solid he goes out there everyday with the confidence that he will accomplish the job on the field. Panik is noted for helping other players who are coming up for the Giants and his play is contagious.

Madison Bumgarner had a six to one strikeout ratio against hitters he faced and starters are pretty darn good if they can strike out three out four hitters they face. Mad Bum finished the first half of the season 9-5 ERA 3.33, 121 strikeouts, and only 23 walks all first half. Oh yes he hit four home runs during the first half to help his own cause.

Bumgarner is the consummate competitor never shows any emotion and shows his emotions and expressions on the field and doesn’t even break into a big old country grin when he hits a ball 390 feet down the line that hits one of the service ambulances at AT&T Park. He’s just all business on the mound. The Bumgarner and Dodgers Yasiel Puig rivalry has really never come to fruition this season because Puig seems to be regressing in his career this year .261, four homers, and 14 RBIs.

While a Giant sleeps: Legendary Giants Willie Mays was sleeping on a pillow and Barry Bonds had his smiling face nearby the Hall of Fame Giant a few down from the pillow and took a selfie. Bonds explained Mays was the greatest God father anyone could have. While others have said the selfie that Bonds took was strange you have to understand Bonds appreciation of all the things that Mays meant to him.

Michael Duca does Giants commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to the podcast below