SAN FRANCISCO – If you’re a fan of the San Francisco Giants you’ve probably seen various videos of Joey Bart, the team’s top prospect, smashing home runs for the San Jose Giants over the past few days.
It’s hard to escape the hype surrounding last year’s top pick. Just ask Bruce Bochy.
“Oh…can’t help but notice,” Bruce Bochy said when he was asked if he’s been paying attention to Bart this year. “He’s really playing great baseball.”
Bart has been on a tear in his first week in High A ball with the San Jose Giants. In his first seven games he’s gone only hitless twice, and has already notched two home runs, eight RBI and nine hits.
To end the night on a good note, Joey Bart is lighting it up in Stockton tonight. He’s got a home run, and double and 3+ RBIS. Thanks for the video @LewisRobbie12 #SFGiants @JBart9GT pic.twitter.com/7d6eUuMabi
— SFGiantsKlick (@SFGiantsKlick) April 9, 2019
Part of the reason the Giants drafted Bart because they thought he could bring some pop to a lineup that finished the 2018 season 29th in the majors for home runs hit, RBI and slugging percentage. But the team also expects their top prospect to be a force behind the plate.
“I talked to (San Jose Giants manager) Billy Hayes yesterday,” Bochy said. “He just said he’s playing great on both sides. Swinging the bat well but he said the catching and throwing … he’s just really shined both times down there.
“We’ve got a good one, here. And he’s doing what he should be doing, playing great ball.”
Bochy went on to say that the Giants could put Bart on a similar path to the majors that Buster Posey took. Posey played 172 minor league games before becoming a full-time starter. It amounted to a little under two years from the time he was drafted.
Time will tell how long it will take the Giants to bring Bart up to the majors, but we’re all here for it.
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