The surging San Francisco Giants catching prospect has built an awfully strong case for himself this spring in Arizona. A former shortstop who transitioned behind the dish in his sophomore year at Florida State, Posey is now hitting .327 through 22 games of Cactus League ball. We caught up with the Golden Spikes award winner to find out about the joys and the pressures that come with being a player on the verge.

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Interviewed by Martin Mulkeen

You got 17 at bats at the end of last season. You’re likely to get a lot more this year. What’s different about the majors?

Above all, the buzz you get at the ballpark every day. There’s an electricity and excitement you don’t get at the minor league level. We glorify the majors from a young age. It’s the pinnacle of baseball. And it’s every bit as awesome as people say it is, but it’s also nice to get in there and be able to say: “Okay, this is still baseball.” Guys don’t throw any harder; there are just more of ‘em that throw hard.

How do you manage the pressures and expectations of being a highly touted prospect?

There are expectations, and sometimes they are hard to ignore. But I don’t see myself as different from any of the other guys trying to make the team. We’ve all got the same expectations for ourselves—get to the major leagues and win a World Series. Everyone’s trying to accomplish the same thing. That’s how I keep it in perspective.

Any pitchers you aren’t looking forward to facing in the batter’s box?

There’s excitement about playing with and against guys I’ve grown up watching on TV. But for the record: I’m not afraid of anybody.

Where do you see yourself in three to five years?

Well, you have to look at the season at hand, first and foremost. But in three to five years I hope to be an everyday guy with the Giants, and have won some pennants and a World Series or two.

If you make the team, do you get to choose your own theme music for the walk from the dugout to home plate?

I think so. I’m not sure if someone else does that or not.