DrB's 2020 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #1 Joey Bart

Joey Bart C.  DOB:  12/15/1996.  B-R, T-R.  6'3", 235 lbs.

A+:  .265/.315/479, 12 HR, 5 SB, 5.6 BB%, 19.9 K%, 251 PA.
AA:  .316/.368/.544, 4 HR, 8.0 BB%, 24.1 K%, 87 PA.
AFL:  .333/.524/.767, 4 HR, 7 BB, 21 K, 86 PA.

I saw Joey Bart play in San Bernardino just before his promotion to AA.  Everybody in my party had the same reaction:  He's a big guy!  He's not hard to pick out on a ball field because he's the biggest player.  The Fangraphs scouting report(I must say, Eric Longerhagen and Kiley McDaniel create by far the most colorful scouting reports I have ever read) compares his size to ex-footballer Mike Alstott, of all people!  When Bart was fully healthy and not having to deal with a manager who hated him(I don't know for sure if Billy Hayes hated him or not, but SOMETHING was going on there!), he was bashing baseballs into oblivion.  He dominated AA, usually a very tough assignment for Giants position prospects, after his promotion.  He then made a mockery of the Arizona Fall League until his AFL season was cut short by another fractured bone in his hand from a HBP.  He previously suffered a fractured hand near the beginning of the Cal League season.

For all his awesome power and breathtaking hot streaks, what really stands out in the Fangraphs scouting report is his defense behind the plate and leadership.  "....lateral quickness and ground game of a small-framed catcher.  He's quick out of the crouch and throws accurate lasers to second base."  "...a rousing vocal leader at times and a calming presence at others."  MLB Pipeline pretty much backs up the Fangraphs scouting report, but with less colorful language.

The Giants have no reason to rush Joey Bart.  I suspect he'll start the season back in AA Richmond with opportunity for midseason promotion to AAA and maybe even to the Giants later in the season. It would not shock me to see him playing other positions to create versatility as he joins the Giants while Buster Posey is still finishing up his career.  I can just imagine a guy his size chasing down fly balls in LF.   If I had to pick a hitter who just might hit one into the Big Glove at Oracle Park, it would be Bart.  Can't wait to see him try.