JUST I N: Pittsburgh Pirates commerce Second Overall Pick

Joey Bart, drafted second overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 MLB Draft, hasn’t fulfilled the expectations surrounding him. Despite the difficulty of letting go of promising prospects, the Giants made the tough decision to designate Bart for assignment on March 31st. Shortly after, the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized the acquisition of Bart on Tuesday evening, trading minor league pitcher Austin Strickland in return, marking the end of Bart’s time with the Giants.

We have acquired C Joey Bart from the Giants in exchange for minor league RHP Austin Strickland. pic.twitter.com/fk1Bqn2SwR

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 3, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired a former second overall pick, Joey Bart, in a trade.

The Giants selected Bart from a college in Georgia primarily for his batting skills, envisioning him as a catcher. However, at 27 years old, he struggled to adapt to major league pitching, evident from his high 35.4 percent strikeout rate. Compounding matters, Patrick Bailey, another former first-round pick, emerged as a standout rookie last season.

It became increasingly apparent that Bart’s future with the Giants was uncertain. Despite this, his inclusion on the Opening Day roster came as a mild surprise due to the ambiguity surrounding his role. With Bailey and the newly acquired Tom Murphy occupying catcher positions, along with Jorge Soler signed as a designated hitter, many anticipated Bart’s departure during spring training.

Tuesday’s trade underscores Bart’s perceived value across the league. The fact that he was traded rather than simply waived indicates considerable interest from other teams. This is unsurprising, given Bart’s untapped potential, which many clubs likely see as an attractive opportunity, especially considering the relatively low cost of acquisition.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will now have the chance to revitalize Bart’s career, becoming the first team to take on this challenge.

Summarize Bart’s suitability for the Pirates’ roster.

Throughout his career, Bart has primarily filled the roles of catcher and designated hitter. However, the current lineup of the Pirates features Henry Davis, a former first overall pick, as catcher, and Andrew McCutchen, a franchise icon, occupying the designated hitter spot. Bart’s lack of minor league options means the Pirates must keep him on the active roster to prevent losing him to other teams.

Considering Bart’s defensive shortcomings as a catcher, the Pirates may consider deploying him at first base instead. Presently, the team is dividing first base duties between left-handed power hitter Rowdy Tellez and right-handed player Connor Joe. To optimize their defensive setup, Pittsburgh might utilize Joe’s versatility by placing him in the outfield more frequently, enabling Bart to serve as the right-handed option at first base. Moreover, Davis has experience in right field, suggesting a potential shift in positions that could create more catching opportunities for Bart.

Regardless of his defensive placement, Bart was acquired by the Pirates for his batting prowess. To establish a lasting career in the majors, he must refine his offensive skills. Once Bart demonstrates improvement at the plate, teams will be more inclined to address his defensive position accordingly.