Catcher Joey Bart has had a resurgence since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024.
Bart failed to live up to expectations after being drafted in 2018 with the second overall pick by the San Francisco Giants. Since being traded to the Pirates, Bart set career highs in every major hitting stat in the 2024 season despite injuries costing him time, slashing .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs across 80 games.
While on MLB Tonight, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Bart will get the starting nod over former top prospect Endy Rodríguez and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis going into Spring Training.
“I think you start with Joey because he did it in 2024 and earned that,” Cherington said. “(He) was a really steady performer for us (on) both sides of the ball. (I) feel like there’s still even another level for him. The timing worked out (and there was) probably a little bit of luck involved with the timing when we were able to get him. (We were) thrilled with the outcome and thrilled that he’s a Pirate.”
“With Endy and Henry (and) Jason Delay, we’ve got some guys fully capable of rounding out that catching and certainly long term, (we) feel really good about it. We think Joey has earned that. He took the lead this season so going into Spring Training, he’s earned that lead horse.”
Story continues below advertisement
Rodríguez missed nearly all of the 2024 season due to injury, while Davis has not reproduced his minor league success in the big leagues. Bart has the starting spot for now, but that could change depending on how Spring Training goes. Pittsburgh should be happy with their depth at catcher heading into 2025.
More MLB: Braves Bring In Former Pirates Outfielder On One-Year Contract
Featured image via Philip G. Pavely/Imagn Images