Giants Spring Training Preview: Catchers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 18: Joey Bart, the number two overall pick in the draft by the San Francisco Giants, waves to the crowd during the Giants game against the Miami Marlins at AT&T Park on June 18, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Long Shots

Buster Posey Jr….I mean Joey Bart…burst onto the scene in 2018 after being taken second overall in the MLB Draft this past June. After a standout collegiate career at Georgia Tech, Bart tore up Low-A with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, slugging over .600 with 29 XBH in 45 games. That performance earned him an invitation to big league camp, where he will surely be attached to Buster Posey’s good hip. He also notably caught Madison Bumgarner’s first bullpen, which can only mean good things. The Giants have said that Bart will start the year at High-A San Jose, which has always been a notable stop for Giants prospects. Will a HUGE Spring Training give Bart the backup catcher spot? Most likely not, but he is in big league camp, which could open the right eyes.

Hamlet Marte

Owner of the best name in camp, Hamlet Marte seems to be a carry over from Zaidi’s time in LA. Although he has only played two games above High-A, Marte will be in camp and has a chance merely because of his Shakespearian name. Boy, would I love to get a Hamlet Marte jersey and for there to be a Shakespeare Night at Oracle Park in his honor, but I’m not calling the shots. Baseball related, he seems to have a legit hit tool, with a career .275/.341/.443 slash line in the minors. Will he become the next Mike Piazza or the next Steve Holm? Tune in this spring to find out!

Schedule