Posey Down: Fantasy Team Adjustments

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

Now that the Giants beloved catcher Buster Posey has a broken fibula, three torn tendons in his foot and will be out for the majority of the season, it's time to fix that void in your fantasy lineup.

Posey's absence means new young talent getting a chance in the bigs: Brandon Belt (1B/RF), Chris Stewart (C/1B) and Brandon Crawford (SS). All three guys were brought up for yesterday's game to fill in for Posey, Mike Fontenot and Mark DeRosa, who were all recently injured.

Out of the three new guys, Brandon Belt will most likely see the most playing time. Ever since he was demoted to triple-A in Fresno, he has posted a .337/.470/.525 line in just 31 games. Along with getting on base and putting contact on the ball, Belt has also proved his power is still there, hitting four home runs and driving in 21 runs.

Another good sign from Belt this year is that he has taken 27 walks in just 31 games. Averaging almost a walk per game is an incredible display of plate discipline. If he is available, pick him up and see how Bruce Bochy uses him this week before you start him.

As for Crawford and Stewart, I'd guess they start once or twice a week. As of now, the Giants have Emmanuel Burriss, Miguel Tejada and Freddy Sanchez starting in the 4, 5 and 6 spots, as well as Eli Whiteside seeing time as the primary catcher.

Crawford and Stewart will only spotted time as late-inning replacements or as pinch runners more often than starters.

In just 14 games this season for the San Jose Giants, Crawford has put up a respectable .322/.412/.593 line with three home runs and 15 RBIs. Compared to Tejada's production, Crawford looks far better at this point. However, with only two options at third (Aubrey Huff is the least likely), Tejada should see plenty of time at that position until Pablo Sandoval returns in about a week.

Crawford will essentially be competing with Burriss for the shortstop position until Mike Fontenot returns from his strained groin injury.

As for Stewart, don't expect him to affect the team. In the minors this year, he has only produced a .221/.312/.274 line with no home runs and only 10 RBIs in 33 games with Fresno. Whiteside should see most starts, but I wouldn't pick him up unless you become desperate to find a catcher with sufficient playing time.

In conclusion, the only player being brought up with significant fantasy value is Belt, who has seen most of his playing time in left field (24 games) to increase his chances of playing time. Be sure to use him with caution for about a week to see how the Giants staff will use him.