What’s the best problem to have as a baseball team? Is it an all-lefty bullpen? Or is it having way too many DH options? Actually, those are both pretty nice.
But alas, 162-game seasons call for exceptional physical and mental fortitude in one particular area of the diamond. Enter one of the best issues to have as an MLB team: having too many catchers.
But Joe, don’t all MLB organizations carry an excess of catchers?
They do indeed. However, not all of them are positioned uniquely with hidden talent and budding potential. The San Francisco Giants face an intriguing challenge this spring – sifting through 13 catchers to fortify a historically elite roster spot. An organization once anchored by the trusted mitt and bat of Buster Posey, the Giants have yet to see similar results from recent backstops.
Will 2023 yield a needed resurgence from the squat? Let’s take a look at the Giants’ current catching situation, and predict where the most Opening Day-prone prospects and veterans will land this year.
Joey Bart
- 2022 MLB stats (SF): 97 games, .215/.296/.364, 11 HRs, 25 RBIs
- 2022 MiLB stats (Triple-A Sacramento): 7 games, .286/.355/.393, 1 HR, 4 RBIs
- Prediction: Opening Day Starting Catcher for the San Francisco Giants
All aboard! The Bart Train is leaving the station and heading straight for unprecedented success. It’s time, Giants fans. With a few MLB seasons under his belt, Bart, 26, is ready for perhaps one of the most important stretches of his career.
Yes, I’m well aware of Bart’s 2022 performance: promising, but not up to the level Gabe Kapler and the front office wanted to see. A former first-round pick, Bart posted a .286 (AVG)/.355 (OBP)/.393 (OPS) stat line last season, one that saw him demoted to Triple-A Sacramento for a handful of tune-up games. Lest we forget, however, Bart came back a different player, slashing .283/.325/.478 between July and September before landing on the 7-day concussion protocol list.
If Bart’s second half of the season and continuous growth this Spring Training is any indicator of how he’ll fare in 2023, Giants fans should absolutely believe the hype again.
Roberto Pérez
- 2022 MLB stats (PIT): 21 games, .233/.333/.367, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs
- Prediction: Opening Day Back-Up Catcher
The longtime Cleveland fixture has found a home in San Francisco after a quick stop in Pittsburgh. Fully recovered from a season-ending hamstring injury Pérez, 34, seems poised to make a comeback with the Giants. As much as I would like to opt for Austin Wynns as the Opening Day back-up, I firmly believe Pérez will bring an essential jolt of veteran guidance to Joey Bart’s game.
That experience doesn’t stop behind the plate, either. Acquired during the offseason, the Puerto Rico product provides the Giants pitching staff with a bounty of knowledge and leadership. Now, while we can talk about team-oriented mentalities ’til the seagulls come out, it’s important to note Pérez’s offense…or lack thereof. A career .207 hitter, the former Cleveland draft pick hasn’t shown much improvement at the plate – something the Giants are collectively gasping for.
Who knows, perhaps Donnie Ecker and the rest of the offensive coaching staff can revitalize this seasoned competitor’s hitting.
Austin Wynns
- 2022 MLB stats (SF): 65 games, .259/.313/.358, 3 HRs, 21 RBIs
- 2022 MiLB stats (Triple-A Lehigh Valley; PHI): 33 games, .365/.504/.500, 3 HRs, 20 RBIs
- Prediction: Triple-A Sacramento
From Phillie to (ph)irst in line for the catching job after Joey Bart’s injury last season, Austin Wynns became a serviceable backstop to finish the rest of the year. Acquired from Philadelphia for Michael Plassmeyer and cash, the former Bulldog (the better Fresno State alum compared to Aaron Judge) turned in a fairly decent 2022, slugging .259/.313/.358 with 3 homers and 21 RBIs.
Listen, I know I said Pérez probably deserves the back-up role to start the year. But the door is still wide open for Wynns, 32, to step into the position. A former tenth-round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles, Wynns has demonstrated consistent offensive production when given the chance. Should Pérez struggle at the plate, the Poway High School standout could find himself back in Oracle Park soon.
Blake Sabol
- 2022 MiLB stats (Triple-A Indianapolis/Double-A Altoona; PIT): 123 games, .284/.363/.497, 19 HRs, 75 RBIs
- Prediction: Triple-A Sacramento (If Giants are willing to expose him to waivers) OR Platoon DH on Opening Day
Who else was bummed when the Giants lost eight AA-Richmond players to the Rule 5 Draft? It’s okay, you’re allowed to raise your hand. But what if I told you that the Giants might have won in the long run? Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for cash and PTBNL, Sabol, 25, has been one of the most pleasant surprises in Scottsdale so far.
A former seventh-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the University of Southern California (USC) product bounced around the PIT farm system, excelling at Double-A Altoona after a brief stint in Triple-A Indianapolis. Sabol’s plus bat from the left side of the plate makes him a coveted asset up and down the league; something that has translated so far this spring. Currently, Sabol leads the team in RBIs (5) and runs (5), and is tied for the team lead in hits (6; Stephen Piscotty) and HRs (2; Brett Wisely).
The only down-side to Sabol’s game is his defense – specifically his arm. While a decent receiver, the Aliso Viejo-native has registered a career 19% caught-stealing rate in less than 800 innings. Fortunately, it seems Sabol has taken this criticism to heart so far this spring, yielding no errors and a 50% caught-stealing rate.
If he continues his offensive prowess and defensive improvements, we could very well see Sabol start a few games behind the plate in the big dance. However, with no proven major-league experience, the Giants may have no choice but to either take him on as an additional designated hitter or see if he clears waivers en route to AAA-Sacramento.
Ricardo Genovés
- 2022 MiLB stats (Triple-A Sacramento/Double-A Richmond): 91 games, .215/.300/.363, 10 HRs, 38 RBIs
- Prediction: Triple-A Sacramento
In the words of The Who, “The Kids Are Alright (And Are Very Strong Defensive Catchers)”. Okay, maybe they didn’t say that specifically. However, Genovés, 23, represents one of the leading cogs in the Giants’ youth movement.
Fresh off a 22-game stretch with The Tiburones de La Guaira (Venezuelan Winter League) in which he slugged .273/.324/.409, Genovés is an intriguing option with plenty of raw potential. Much like Marco Luciano, the career-Giant started his San Francisco career as a teenager, signing a minor league contract at 17.
While there is room for improvement with his offense, Genovés is rock solid with the mitt. During his 2022 campaign, the Caracas ballplayer put forth an impressive .996 fielding percentage and 30% caught-stealing percentage. That’s well above average, an effort that earned him an invite to Spring Training once again this year.
Simply put: this kid has a future in the league if he manages to figure out the bat. For that reason, I predict either a starting or platoon role for Genovés in Triple-A Sacramento.
Let’s face it, the Giants probably won’t see a Buster Posey-like performance from any of their catchers this year. Because…well…none of them are Buster Posey (shocker). But in a year of rule-bending outfield shifts and inning speed-runs, anything can happen. No matter who Kapler fields behind the plate on Opening Day, the future is exciting, to say the least, for the Giants catching-wise.
From the Squat TRIViA #2 (3/6/23):
Before the 2008 season, when was the last time the Giants drafted a catcher in the first round?
A) 2007
B) 1978
C) 1990
D) 1967
Answer from Trivia #1: B) Ed Bailey
From the SQUAT! 