If FSU catcher Buster Posey has half the major-league career of the man for whom Posey’s latest award is named, Posey will make San Francisco Giants fans very happy.

Posed was named winner of the 2008 Johnny Bench Award on Friday night, given annually to the nation’s top catcher.

The other two finalists were Stanford University’s Jason Castro and Coastal Carolina’s Dock Doyle.

“I am so excited for Buster,’’ said FSU coach Mike Martin, who was in attendance at the banquet in Wichita, Kan. “Buster had an outstanding season and is very deserving of this award. His outstanding play both on the offensive and defensive side played a major role in helping our ball club get back to the College World Series.’’

Posey was chosen fifth overall by the Giants in the MLB first-year player draft earlier this month. The negotiations are ongoing