When Does Joey Bart Take Over For Buster Posey As Giants Catcher?
Joey Bart would be an everyday starting catcher on just about all major league rosters. When you’re the top-catching prospect on a team that has one of the best catchers of all-time in Buster Posey, that’s going to mean a little extra time in AAA.
San Francisco faces a dilemma. Bart has figured out the minors. On the hitting side, Joey Bart is excelling with AAA Sacramento. However, with Posey still performing at an MVP level in San Francisco, when will Bart actually get consistent time as a Giant?
It’s common knowledge how good Buster Posey is. He’s a former MVP, 7x All-Star, 4× Silver Slugger, former Gold Glove Winner and NL Batting Champion, and a 3x World Series champion. A lock for Cooperstown, there aren’t many catchers (outside of Yadier Molina) with the resume of Buster Posey. The thought of replacing him in the lineup with Bart is asinine. So, what about moving positions?
Posey has played 1B before. Why can’t he in this instance? Bart, providing relief at a grueling position like catcher, would do wonders for Posey in his late-career run. That’s a great narrative. However, Posey is arguably the best defensive and fielding catcher in all of baseball. The numbers tell the whole story.
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Due to the Covid pandemic, Posey sat out the 2020 year. As a result, San Francisco saw their pitching staff throw the worst combined Era since 1996. Even with some pretty average and pedestrian ERA numbers during a few of Posey’s seasons with San Francisco in the past, there’s no coincidence that the teams worst mark in 25 years came without him behind the plate at any point of the season.
Bart, who played sparingly as Posey’s replacement in 2020, doesn’t come close to amassing the fielding numbers of his superior. In 2019, Posey had a caught stealing rate of 32 percent. In 2020, Bart only caught 18 percent of base stealers during his MLB service time. In addition, Bart had 9 wild pitches in 233 innings. Posey had 20 in just over 840 innings.
It’s apparent how much more valuable Posey is as a catcher. Bart might be a suitable option behind the plate on most teams. Not the Giants. They have made their name on the defensive and fielding skills of Posey. If Bart is to have any chance at playing consistent major league ab’s in the next 2 years, it will need to be at 1B.
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What’s surprising, San Francisco still plays Bart at C in AAA. He does need to work on his catching abilities, especially if he’s to unseat Posey at some point. However, San Francisco needs to get his bat in the lineup. At least get him some time at 1B in Sacramento to familiarize himself there for a call-up. It is bewildering and ridiculous to have a major league-ready bat like his in AAA.
It’s frustrating that San Francisco doesn’t show interest in actually making Bart a 1B.
There’s no chance the Giants trade Bart. That would require a huge return on their end. We are just sort of stuck at a crossroads. Bart’s bat is too good for the minors, however, his catching skills aren’t near the current major league catcher to make any changes to the position. It’s basically Bart at 1B or he’s staying in AAA. And that’s a giant (pun intended) misfire on San Francisco’s end.
Image Source: Darryl Webb/ San Francisco Chronicle
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
