The Giants have reinstated Joey Bart from the injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, per Evan Webeck of the San Jose Mercury News and Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Bart had been on a rehab assignment after going on the IL about three weeks ago due to a groin strain, but apparently the club doesn’t have room for him on the active roster right now.
Bart, 26, was the second overall pick of the 2018 draft and was once seen as the heir apparent to Buster Posey as the franchise catcher in San Francisco. However, Bart has had many chances to establish himself in the big leagues over the past few seasons without much success. This option is the latest sign that the clock might be ticking on his time with the Giants. Once he spends 20 days in the minors, he will burn his final option year and will be out of options going into 2024.
The Giants opened 2023 with Bart joined by veteran Roberto Pérez and Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol as the catching corps, though Sabol is also capable of playing the outfield. Bart began the season on the IL due to a back strain, but would return 10 days into the campaign. Perez only played five games before he required season-ending shoulder surgery, subtracting him from the mix. Bart and Sabol got the bulk of the playing time for a while, but Bart hit just .231/.286/.295 for a wRC+ of 64. He cut his strikeout rate to 25%, still above average but a big drop from last year’s 38.5% rate, but drew walks in just 2.4% of his plate appearances.
Bart then required an IL stint due to a groin strain on May 19, at which point prospect Patrick Bailey was called up and has seemingly leapfrogged Bart on the depth chart, at least for the time being. Bailey has positive grades from Defensive Runs Saved and FanGraphs’ framing metric so far, though in an obviously small sample size. At the plate, he has struck out in 31.1% of his plate appearances and walked in just 3.3% of them but has nonetheless hit .298/.322/.526 for a wRC+ of 128. He surely won’t be able to maintain a .417 batting average on balls in play but the Giants will ride the hot hand and stick with him. Sabol, meanwhile, has less impressive defensive grades but is hitting a solid .248/.323/.428 on the year for a wRC+ of 107.
Bart’s rough season now gives him a career batting line of .223/.293/.342 for a wRC+ of 81. He also has a -5 DRS and a negative grade from FanGraphs’ framing metric. Though the club once thought highly enough of him to use the second overall pick in the 2018 draft on him, that was before Farhan Zaidi was hired as president of baseball operations in November of that year. Despite having Bart in hand, the current regime used their first round pick in the 2020 draft on Bailey, who has surged to the big leagues already.
Bart will now head to Sacramento and try to get in a good groove. His situation with the Giants will be interesting to monitor in the coming months, especially with the trade deadline now just over seven weeks away. They are 32-31 coming into today’s action and just a game and a half out of a playoff spot, putting them firmly in the mix to do some buying if they can stay afloat. Despite his struggles, Bart could be an appealing trade chip for a club that still believes in his previous prospect pedigree, perhaps a rebuilding club that could give him some runway to work through his issues.
That’s mere speculation and it’s entirely possible Bart sticks around. Manager Gabe Kapler said today that Bart “absolutely” still has a future in the franchise, per Danny Emerman of KNBR. But in the event that Bart is still a Giant by the spring of 2024, he will likely be out of options and competing for a roster spot with Bailey and Sabol.
WOW! Is he is Herrea of the Brewers? A talent that never fully developed. Only time will tell!
Sorry about my typing error in first sentence! Did not catch it in time!
A lot of amateur players who turn pro do not become successful major league players. He made it to the major leagues, which is an accomplishment.
Maybe he was drafted into the wrong organization for him to be successful.
I was thinking something similar. Perhaps he can be traded for another similar prospect in another organization.
Always Tigers on my mind, take a shot trading Joey Bart for Jake Rogers and his dork face mustache. Rogers can defend but could use an organization that can teach hitting.
> Rogers can defend but could use an
> organization that can teach shaving.
Fixed. Trade him to the Yankees for face hair offings.
D’oh!
He’s a bust, sadly
This is why you take a lot of risks drafting a catcher with a top pick.
Unless you trade him to the As
Regardless if he’s a bust or not, what do you do with two first round catchers if they both pan out? Neither seems to be a good enough hitter to be a DH. Maybe make one a first baseman?
I think Patrick Bailey is the real deal and will be a productive Major League catcher for quite a while. Unlike, Bart, Bailey gets better and better both behind and at the plate.
His demotion was inevitable, especially as both Bailey and Sabol are more productive hitters and Bailey is a superior defender. I think there are quite a few teams that would take a chance on Joey. Hopefully, the Giants could get a prospective #2-3 starter in the process (one who hasn’t quite shown his pedigree either).
@Pete’sView “I think there are quite a few teams that would take a chance on Joey.Hopefully, the Giants could get a prospective #2-3 starter ”
huh?
Joey Bart’s trade value is Zilch…….We’re talking maybe a few buckets of BP Balls. And Certainly NOT young arm that Projects as a Number 2. NO Way
Allow the man a few moments to dream..
Well, we can agree to disagree, but you failed to quote me completely. I said of the starter prospect; ‘one who hasn’t quite shown his pedigree either.’. A good everyday defensive catcher (which Bart is) with the potential to hit for power is certainly viable for a pitcher who also has shown signs of progressing.
I’m a giants fan and I love Joey Bart but also I see that he’s basically worth less than Gary Sanchez at this point
He’s 26 with 492 career plate appearances and a 2nd overall pick pedigree making the major league minimum. Saying his value is zilch or the equivalent of a bucket of balls exposes your lack of understanding of baseball economics.
Thanks Andy let’s have him start for your team and you can give me a call about it after the season ok?
No one is saying he should be a starting catcher. My point is that he still has plenty of value. He has 4 more years of team control and plays the most demanding defensive position. He doesn’t need to improve by THAT much to provide surplus value for whatever team he’s on – whether it be the giants or whoever
Guys that aren’t starters have value? Sure. It’s the whole “value” part that becomes extremely subjective at that point.
Who would give you a #2-#3 starter for Bart?
Best case scenario is to attain another former top prospect that has failed like Bart, and hope for change in scenery improves the return.
That’s exactly what I said. I never said “an established #2-3 starter.” Read my comment again.
Pete, are you a Giants fan? Your trade idea is your opinion and you shouldn’t have to defend it. When you are a fan of a team, you always want to dream up the best possible return for your trades.
The reactions you got indicate that people disagree with what you were suggesting and don’t value Bart as highly. I think you would have a difficult time finding a team that would give up a pitcher who could potentially be a 2 or 3 starter for today’s Bart.
They can’t read or refuse to comprehend your meaning; don’t bother reiterating your meaning. They want to try to sound smart by saying stupid things.
Hemlock —Yes, I get it. Bart hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he isn’t useless because his glove is good. And there are plenty of players who finally come into their own. I don’t mind the comments—everyone here has one—I’m just saying I think the Giants might be able to get another player who ALSO hasn’t lived up to expectations. It’s ok if others disagree.
Fun fact: Zac Gallen was originally projected to be a solid #4 starter.
They should be able to get one of those guys yeah?
Gallen was anything but a fallen prospect when the Diamondbacks got him for Jazz Chisholm who himself was anything but a fallen prospect. In no way comparable to any possible Joey Bart trade.
Joey Bart. Another in a long history of SF Giants first round Draft BUSTS
Cut him. He’s washed up.
He’s a bust but the 2018 draft ended up being a massive bust
amk1920: Kelenic, Logan Gilbert, Shane Mcclanahan, Nolan Gorman are far from busts. The jury is still out on several others Liberatore, Bo Naylor, Grayson Rodriguez, Singer, Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic. Casey Mize may be a bust but there’s still a lot of talent from that 2018 Draft Class.
Casey Mize is recovering from TJ surgery and was having a good start to his career before his injury. So give him time to return and the benefit of the doubt before labeling him a bust
Casey Mize was never projected to be a superstar (except by media). He was judged to be the closest SP ready to start at MLB.
@amk1920 from a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, that draft does seem like a bust for them. Travis Swaggerty hasn’t progressed enough to be at the major leagues right now. 2 guys bypassed Swaggerty and are starting in the OF. Bae and Jack Suluwinski (butchered his last name, I know) are playing a position that was originally his. Bae has moved from 2B to the outfield because of Swaggerty struggles. Only guy potentially good is to come out of it is Mike Burrows and he is coming back from JT maybe next year. He started out good at the majors before injury got him.
Makes you wonder how many (in that draft year) throughout the league, are at the majors and doing well. There is still hope for Bart though. Rather SF or another organization sees it, that is a different story. With a starve deprived league that lacks catchers, someone will show interest in Bart. Catcher is probably the weakest position in the league next to SS. Everyone needs one or both.
To see how the first round picks of 2018 have performed so far, follow the link below and scroll down and to the right:
baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2018&dr…
Joey Bart of the Bart Family
I’m ok with it, Bart will be used when needed. He needs to now produce in Sac or be used in case of injury
Ever notice that all the pictures from players are most of the time taken from Philadelphia. Rhys Hoskins must be smiling somewhere
Joey Bust
Barting is such sweet sorrow
WHY YOU LITTLE!!!
The Giants have until the end of spring training next year to decide what to do with Bart. They are sure as heck are not going to cut him or trade him for peanuts. Hopefully he will regain his confidence at Sacramento and regaradless will be available if needed.
Bailey is a revelation. No one expects him to continue hitting .300 this season but his defense, pitch framing and throwing arm are off the charts. He threw 2 players out attempting to steal on succesive pitches a couple of game ago (has that ever happened before?)
Bailey is a switch hitter but is better from the left side. There has been talk of Bart being the weak side of a platoon. I’m still a Bart believer but Bailey is better.
Blake Sabol will be optionable next season and the next 2 seasons after that, and could probably use some more time in the minors to develop behind the plate. Bart would be the presumptive backup catcher entering next season, with Sabol available to call up as needed.
Great points. The things I like about Bart are is exit velo and his throwing arm. The rest is definitely still a work in progress.
I also think Bart feels a lot of pressure (imagined or otherwise) to be great. He just needs to be good. Ultimately a change of scenery might be what he needs but the Giants want to maximize their return for a guy who could still be really good.
I’m glad Jerrod Kelenic is having a good season, biggest Arizona Fall League busts have been Joey Bart, Jo Adell, Christian Pache, hopefully they’re late bloomers
Not can’t miss Joey Bart!
I can’t believe Joey Bart wasn’t a star but Patrick Bailey is good
Bailey was always the more “balanced” prospect. Many Giant fans saw that right away.
Man, he’s still only 26. I get it, high expectations for a #2 overall pick. But catchers take longer to develop than any other position. They’re working on a lot more than another position player. I’m not saying he’s going to be great, but I certainly wouldn’t wanna give up on him for nothing. Any other team would sign him to a minor league deal and give him to time to see if he can put it together.
If he is out of options, the option of giving him minor league time to figure things out will really not be available. He will get called up die to an injury and then get waived.
“But catchers take longer to develop than any other position. They’re working on a lot more than another position player.”
True – and with that in mind, it’s worth noting that Bart has only played in 212 MiLB games and has just 825 PA’s in the minors.
He might be well served by spending several weeks or even a few months in AAA.
The Giants have already tried that numerous times. You can’t cure headcases. He chokes in the spotlight. He doesn’t need more AAA ABs, he needs more hours at the shrink’s office.
One more guy that was promoted despite very bad K/W ratios.
A- 40/12
A+ 40/14
AA 21/7
AAA 99/24
That his major league ratio is 176/31. is totally expected.. It’s possible that none of the high-K guys were going to make it. But if you can’t hit A-ball, I don’t see the sense in thinking you’ll hit in AA.
When they reached Bart to ask about the demotion, his response was, “Eat my shorts”.
Then he went out to dinner, but the portion sizes he got were way smaller than he’d gotten there before, so he said, “Hey, don’t short my eats.”
Ouch. Wasn’t he the heir apparent and the savior of the franchise just a year ago?
The Rays can pick-up Bart and he’ll become an All-Star.
The Astros or Brewers could bring him in as a back-up and they’ll have him productive within 3 months. The Dodgers as well, but they already have too many Catchers.
Bart for Matt Manning. Rogers and Haase are currently holding down the fort with Dingler and Crouch in the wings.
Bart for sunflower seeds
Best news of the day. Dude can’t hit anything other then meatballs. Doubt he’ll ever make it as a full-time MLB player.
If I had a nickel for every time MLBTR wrote “heir apparent” oh boy…
Bart is the very, very poor man’s Matt Weiters.
VERY POOR
One might say the poverty Wieters
More like Mike Zunino 2.0
Ha. Someone once told me Bart was equal to, if not better, than Adley Rutschman. Wish I could remember the idiot’s name.
#ForeverRiverCat
Makes you realize how spoiled we were as Giants fans to have Buster Posey. Catching is very hard & Buster made it look so easy. Offensively & defensively Buyer was phenomenal!
Nothing but respect for Buster Posey from this Dodgers fan.
Jake Rogers is a better player than Joey Bart.
While that is an awful thing to say, the truth is often awful.
Surprised the Giants did claim Tomas Nido. Hes better than Bart at everything except hitting, but theres not that big of a gap between them in their hitting ability
Trade him to the Reds..they owe us for Sabol.
Major head case from day one. Perhaps a “change of scenery” trade will help him get out of his whoa-is-me funk. I look forward to the day he’s no longer a drag on the Giants. The only one who will be happier than me will be Kapler – it’s so obvious he’s had enough of Joey.
Best option for Bart is a change of scenery. And getting as far away from Zaidi and Kapler.
The Giants should call up Clint Coulter! Give him his long awaited shot! He can play OF & Catch if needed.
Best the Giants can hope for now is that he tears up AAA so that he can be packaged at the deadline. At present, Bart’s value is less than my cassette copy of “The Simpsons Sing the Blues”
I’m pretty sure Bart has always torn up AAA pitching. Problem was that after the call ups.
“Meanwhile” belongs at the start of the sentence, not in the middle of it, set off by commas.
You really have no room to be criticizing other peoples grammar
*people’s
You’re dismissed.
I never said mine was perfect, nowhere near it. I’m just pointing out to you that before you go preaching to others about grammar you should make sure yours is spot-on. Otherwise you just kinda look dumb
And how is mine not spot-on?
May be the end of times for former hot prospects. Fans of Frisco can no longer safely rely on your Joey Barts, Max Munis, Jose Caballero Carrs or Matt or Cal Treanors to get from point A to point B. Haight to say it ain’t so this early in the season as it would be premature to Ash and Bury San Fran hopes of contention. Will be the Mission of club leaders to go to the open Market to unearth the potential of some diamond in the rough, finding the wily Castros of the world. Trans the Americas or Tap into the international market- a Little Italy prospect here, go to some Chinatown there, whatever it takes to find that missing piece or Golden ticket or Gate-way to their dreams, as they Embark and Darrow their way to bigger and bolder Pacific Heights. Good luck to leadership in their quest to be Fishers of good talent out on the wharf, which sure beats the alternative, having Fishers up in the executive suite. Noe way they fall into a Valley, else someone be Tendering and Purloining their resignations.