CHICAGO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said catcher Buster Posey, the National League's reigning Gold Glove winner at his position, is just as good this season.
Bochy cited Posey's throwing during his pregame address Tuesday, one day after the four-time All-Star threw out Chicago's Javier Baez on an attempted steal of second base. Baez initially looked destined to pull in safely, having gotten a good jump. But Posey's flat, hard throw retired Baez without a fuss.
"If he's given a chance, I don't think there's anybody better in the game," Bochy said. "He's taken a lot of pride in it."
Posey has thrown out 36 percent (9-for-25) of attempted basestealers this season, essentially unchanged from last year's 37 percent (28-for-75).
Bochy said San Francisco's starting pitchers, who he believes have improved at holding runners on base, can continue to assist Posey with their attentiveness.
• Phil Nevin, the Giants' rookie third-base coach, drew praise from Bochy for his collaboration with baserunners.
"He has great game awareness -- when to be aggressive, when not to be. It's worked out well for him," Bochy said.
Bochy added that Nevin has kept the Giants alert: "Once you get on base, he's not going to give a sign until he gets their attention. He'll bark at 'em if they don't look at him."
Nevin replaced Roberto Kelly, who was not offered another job in the organization.