Joey Bart C. DOB: 12/15/1996. B-R, T-R. 6'2", 238 lbs.
2021(AAA): .294/.358/.472, 10 HR, 7.5 BB%, 29.4 K%, 279 PA.
2021(MLB): 2 for 6, 0 BB, 2 K.
Joey Bart was the Giants #2 overall draft pick in 2018 after an outstanding junior season at Georgia Tech, somewhat of a catcher factory school. He's a huge, hulking dude but surprisingly athletic for his size. While he does not project to be an elite defensive catcher, he's more than adequate. The big question is with the bat. The raw power is immense, but is it usable? After a rough MLB debut in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he was assigned to AAA last year with hopes of dominating. Although his slash line looks solid on the surface it came with a K rate approaching the red zone.
After Buster Posey's retirement, FZ gave Bart a vote of confidence saying he showed he is ready. That has not completely quieted the doubters and talks of the Giants going out and getting another veteran C to start the season have grown louder as the lockout has stretched on. If you look at what's available on the FA market, any reasonable person would conclude the Giants are probably better off to role with Bart and Casali and hope Ricardo Genoves(if he doesn't get nabbed in the Rule 5 Draft) and Patrick Bailey are ready to stand in the gap if necessary. Being handed the starting C job from day one of the season, whenever it occurs, is a tremendous opportunity that few prospects get. It's up to Bart to grab it by the throat. We'll all be watching with interest. If he taps into a fraction of his power potential, he'll be a plus. Taking over as the #1 catcher immediately after Buster Posey has to be intimidating. Us fans need to realize nobody is going to replace Buster Posey but maybe someday we say the same about Joey Bart.
FWIW, From Around the Foghorn:
ReplyDeleteFangraphs dropped Bart out of their top 100 to their next-to-last rated 50 FV player @ 113 giving the Giants with 6 rated prospects.
Marco Luciano @ #18 & 55 FV will make him an All-Star
Luis Matos' @ #35
Kyle Harrison @ #38
Patrick Bailey @ #76
Heliot Ramos @ #99 He's seen as a "slam dunk big leaguer down the road" but will need some "unexpected leaps" to become a star.
Joey Bart @ #113 - very close to missing the list, and probably just barely rating a 50 FV. Fangraphs isn't high on Bart's batting average potential, giving him just a 30 hit tool (translation: expect very low averages and lots of strikeouts), but if he can hit for the expected power he can become "a good everyday backstop."
Not saying Bart is going to do it this year but last year Mike Zunino batted just .216 and had 35% K's but also hit 33 HR's and ran up an fWAR of 4.5. If Bart can develop into that, the #2 overall draft pick would be a good investment.
DeleteMy other thought on Bart is I think adding the DH will help him. Not because he's going to be the DH but replacing the crater in the 9-hole takes pressure off Bart's bat to produce right away.
DeleteBetter than even chance the Giants will regret losing Genoves if he's drafted (if there's a draft). He's grown into his body and may not be the nimble, athletic catching prospect he once was, but I'm guessing his defense is at least a 50-55. He's also shown more offensive punch with added strength and seasoning. With Bailey, Sugastey further down the road, and Perez, a recent signing, it's possible they have reason to be confident with organizational depth at the position.
ReplyDelete