Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
There are two different ways to view the outpouring of compliments heading Joey Bart’s way from his older teammates.
They could be subtly sending a message to ownership that the best players should play. Major League Baseball players want to win, and this season the Giants have a chance to win because anyone has a chance to win in a 60-game crapshoot. A 34-year-old player like Evan Longoria recognizes his window will not remain open forever, and he does not want to see the Giants prioritize service-time games above actual games.
Or there could be no campaign at work. In which case Giants players are seeing what management does not see or does not value highest: Bart belongs on the team.
On Saturday, Austin Slater became the latest Giant to single out the 23-year-old catcher, who the Giants have stated repeatedly needs more development before he debuts. The 27-year-old Slater was asked which prospects have caught his eye, and while he listed several, he led with one.
“Joey’s had a great camp so far,” Slater said on a Zoom call. “I’ll single him out a little bit. He’s prepared to win, and he’s put in a lot of work, especially on the defensive side.”
Back in Scottsdale, the Giants had cited Bart’s catching as an area for improvement, especially the way he receives pitches. The more tangible elements behind the plate have been on display in camp 2.0, Bart throwing out Mike Yastrzemski at second on Wednesday and nearly picking off Steven Duggar at first on Friday. His competition, Tyler Heineman, Rob Brantly and Chadwick Tromp, have had nice summer trainings but have one-bedroom-apartment ceilings while Bart’s is more akin to a skyscraper. Speaking of skyscrapers, did you see his home run Friday?
Longoria began the public praise for Buster Posey’s potential heir on Monday.
“Joey Bart I think is the closest that we have in terms of breaking through at the big-league level and being an impact player right out of the chute,” Longoria said. “I know [Bart] is pretty close.”
It was Wilmer Flores’ turn Wednesday.
“I really like Joey Bart’s approach,” the 28-year-old said. “He can hit the ball hard, he has really impressed me. I didn’t get to see him in spring training [in February and March], but I’m getting to see him now. He’s really got some pop.”
Bart surely has heard every word. Kapler said the Giants want him to be an excellent major leaguer once he comes up, suggesting the team is concerned that Bart’s development could be harmed if he doesn’t succeed immediately. Of course, with fans clamoring for his debut, the Giants refusing to buckle and Bart continuing to impress, leading a catcher competition that isn’t really a competition, it’s fair to wonder how Bart is absorbing everything right now.
Bart has not spoken with media in camp 2.0, but has had conversations with Kapler and other coaches.
“Just kind of keeping a pulse on Joey’s enthusiasm,” Kapler said. “One of the things I’ll say about Joey is he has had an incredibly professional camp. With all of the conversations that have been swirling about, he has never let that impact his work in the bullpen, his work with our pitchers. He’s had great at-bats, as you [media] have seen.
“He’s been a pro. And that is the most important data point to know that he’s where he needs to be, and his head is in the right place.”
Slater heaped praise on plenty of prospects. He said 18-year-old Marco Luciano is “unbelievably talented,” outfielder Alexander Canario is a “really hard worker” with “tons of power.” It is possible his and his teammates’ comments about Bart have been innocent.
If that is the case, it is hard to reconcile players seeing the potential that looks ready to be tapped while management sees more development needed. Unless one side is planning for this year and the other is prioritizing its future.