SAN DIEGO — Once anointed the eventual successor to Buster Posey, Joey Bart’s time with the San Francisco Giants came to an end Sunday.
Bart, the second overall selection in the 2018 draft, was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for right-hander Daulton Jefferies, who was called up to start the Giants’ series finale against the Padres. While the Giants initially opted to carry Bart on their Opening Day roster, the move was a long time coming after they signed Tom Murphy to be Patrick Bailey’s primary backup.
Bart, 27, is eligible to be traded for the next week, but if the Giants cannot find a partner, he would be placed on unconditional release waivers, where he is almost certain to be claimed and added to another team’s major-league roster. He has no options remaining and can’t be sent to the minors without being placed on waivers again.
In a text message, Bart said he “just wish(es) the best for my teammates and excited for a new opportunity.”
A change of scenery could benefit Bart, who never quite escaped from Posey’s shadow. It was always going be difficult to fill the shoes of the Giants’ franchise catcher, and Bart’s duty was only made more difficult by conditions outside his control.
When he was tearing up the Arizona Fall League in 2019, Bart was hit in the hand by a pitch, ending his season. The next year, Bart was thrust into the starting job in the majors when Posey opted out of the pandemic season, despite not playing a game above Double-A. And when Posey returned for 2021, Bart was left to toil at Triple-A almost all season, rather than learn under his predecessor as his backup during their 107-win season.
“Sometimes when you have to move on from your first team, it’s hard,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But I think he’s going to get a better opportunity than he was afforded here.”
A former catcher, Melvin would know, having been traded from the Tigers after his rookie season to San Francisco, where he established himself as a big leaguer and went on to enjoy a 10-year playing career. Throughout spring, Melvin touted Bart’s attitude as well as the strides he made as a player.
“It certainly looked to me like he developed this spring,” Melvin said. “I know it was a quick ascent for him and it was difficult, you’re coming in after a legend here and things don’t go smoothly right away. Now all of a sudden you’re up and down. That can be hard, and hard on your psyche as well. But I think he got past that this spring and came into spring training in a good place and was just looking forward to having a good spring, knowing something like this might happen.”
Bart was the final first-round pick of the previous regime under Bobby Evans. Once Farhan Zaidi arrived in 2019, the Giants used their top selection on another catcher, Patrick Bailey, just a year after spending the second overall pick on Bart.
Bailey arrived midway through last season and seized the starting job, effectively putting a ticking clock on Bart’s tenure with the organization. There was some thought the Giants could pair their two first-round catchers, but that was snuffed out when they agreed to a two-year deal with Murphy.
“I feel like our relationship probably grew the most in these last couple weeks,” Bailey said. “He was awesome the whole time. He’s a great dude. I love being around him. I hate to see him go. It’s kind of the tough part of the business, but I know wherever he ends up, he’s going to do just fine.”
Snell still TBD
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After facing a lineup of minor-leaguers for four innings Friday night Blake Snell still doesn’t have a determined date to join the Giants rotation. He struck out 11 while throwing 71 pitches and allowing three hits.
“Just trying to get ready,” he said. “The big leagues is definitely a lot different, so I don’t take that too seriously. I feel good. Just getting more reps, better and better, stronger and stronger. When I get out there, that’ll be when I’m able to tell where I’m at.”
When that might be, Snell wasn’t prepared to say.
If he remains on regular rest, his next turn through the rotation would line up with the Giants’ series finale at Dodger Stadium.
“I have ideas,” Snell said, “but nothing solid yet. The next couple days we should know.”