3 untouchable SF Giants players at the MLB trade deadline

3 untouchable SF Giants players at the MLB trade deadline

2. Patrick Bailey

When teams start to turn the corner, a young catcher is usually at the forefront of that movement. Of course, Buster Posey coming up in 2010 is one example, but Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles and Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks are a couple more recent examples. A good team is normally anchored by a good catcher.

Have the Giants officially turned the corner yet? It might be too soon to say. The youth movement is slowly taking place and the pace of it has probably been slower than many fans would have hoped. That said, one thing is certain and it is that Patrick Bailey is the catcher of today and the future.

The 25-year-old catcher made a strong impression behind the plate last season as he was the runner-up to Moreno for the NL Gold Glove Award at catcher.

The bat slowed down late in the year as Bailey reached a career-high in games played at 125 games split between the majors and minors. Overall, he posted a .644 OPS with seven home runs in 353 plate appearances with the Giants last season.

However, he has quickly and quietly emerged as one of the better two-way catchers this season. The switch-hitter is slashing .286/.360/.435 (130 wRC+) with five home runs, 23 RBI, and 18 runs in 179 plate appearances. His control of the strike zone has improved as well as his ability to consistently hit the ball hard.

The Giants have not drafted and developed many position players over the past decade. but Bailey's impact so far should be considered a win by the front office.