Joey Bart, C. DOB: 12/15/1996. B-R, T-R. 6'3", 220 lbs. Drafted 2018 Round 1, #2 overall.
2016(College): .299/.351/.382, 10 2B, 4.6 BB%, 19.54 K%, 174 PA.
2017(Cape Cod League): .309/.389/.433, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 10.62 BB%, 23.01 K%, 113 PA.
2017(College): .296/.370/.575, 13 2B, 13 HR, 7.69 BB%, 24.04 K%, 208 PA.
2018(College): .359/.471/.632, 12 2B, 16 HR, 15.07 BB%, 20.59 K%, 272 PA.
2018(Rookie AZL): .261/.320/.391, 2B, 3B, 4.00 BB%, 28.00 K%, 25 PA.
2018(Short Season): .298/.369/.613, 14 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, 5.91 BB%, 19.70 K%, .318 BABIP, 1.32 GB/FB, 53.5 Pull%, 203 PA, 6 PB, 15/36 CS.
Joey Bart didn't come out of nowhere his junior season in college, but he did significantly improve on his sophomore numbers to boost his draft stock into the discussion for #1 overall. The Tigers took RHP Casey Mize and the Giants got the guy they really wanted anyway. You could easily make an argument that Joey Bart is the best catching draft prospect since Buster Posey in 2008 although Mike Zunino from 2012 may want to differ. At any rate, Bart did not disappoint in his pro debut.
You can nitpick the stat line, but it's a really good line for a pro debut! I tried to compare Bart's line with Posey and Zunino at the same stage but that's really hard. Buster Posey hardly played at all in 2008 and the Mariners were hyper aggressive with Zunino placing him in A+ and AA in 2012. Things to like about Bart's debut line include 203 PA's of experience, the .318 BABIP which is sustainable and the relatively low K rate. He will want to work on being a bit more selective, hopefully without blowing up his K rate. He will also want to try to put the ball in the air a bit more. His ratios through college and his pro debut are remarkably stable and if he just continues to do what's he's been doing, he'll be fine.
I would expect Joey Bart to start out the 2019 season in A+ with a promotion to AA about midseason if he gets off to a hot start. If Buster Posey comes back healthy the Giants will have no reason to rush Bart. Even if Buster's catching days are about over, the Giants should still let Bart come at his own pace and fill in the catcher position with a short term bridge. Bart's ETA could be as early as midseason 2020 but more likely 2021 and will be somewhat dependent on Buster Posey's circumstances. At his peak, I would expect Bart to hit for more power than Buster but with a lower BA. I think he will have more usable power than Zunino because he will hit for a higher average. He could be an All-Star caliber catcher for several years. He is currently ranked as the #23 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline.
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What is your opinion of Joey Bart's defensive skills behind the plate and handling pitchers ? If you were to compare his defensive skills with current catchers who would it be?
ReplyDeleteCatcher defense is a very murky subject even at the MLB level and there is even less information published at the college and minor league levels. About all we can go on is the basic numbers and scouting reports. Bart's CS% is solid. The 6 PB's seem like a lot but I looked back at Buster Posey's minor league numbers and he had 14 in 2009 between San Jose and Fresno. Georgia Tech is one of the few college programs where catchers call the pitches so Bart seems to have a leg up on how to put the right fingers down. I recall that was a skill Buster had to learn after he turned pro. As for pitch framing, I am quite sure nobody has an reliable information about that at the level. Scouting reports that I seem to remember all say Bart has worked hard on his defense and it is at least above average at this point.
DeleteBart is currently ranked #23 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline which I believe is the highest ranking the Giants have had in a long time.
DeleteThanks. It helps create a complete picture.
DeleteHappy New Year! Maybe it's no accident that Georgia Tech Baseball has produced former all star MLB catcher Jason Varitek and current Nats catcher Matt Wieters and Bart has formed a relationship with Wieters whom he can learn from in the offseason. Although Mize would have been nice, I'm happy they ended up picking up Joey Bart.
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