Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
PEORIA, Ariz. — It doesn’t appear Joey Bart can hit his way onto the Opening Day roster. Or catch his way. Or throw his way. Or, as he displayed Sunday, run his way.
For the big catcher’s latest trick, he showed off his legs in beating out a high chopper to the third baseman for an infield single. His 1-for-2 day makes him 6-for-10 with two walks and a home run in the Cactus League. A .667 on-base percentage would play in the majors, as would his arm and glove, a project of camp being improving his pitch-framing.
Despite the obvious talent — or perhaps because of it — Gabe Kapler suggested again that the 23-year-old would be starting the season in the minors.
“Joey’s done a really good job in camp so far. It’s also important to remember he’s got 100 plate appearances or so above A-ball,” Kapler said of Bart, who had 87 plate appearances with Double-A Richmond last season, after the Giants’ 7-5 loss to the Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. “Very little Double-A, Triple-A experience. Players in general, not just Joey Bart, tend to benefit from experience at the upper levels.”
The Giants have not given Buster Posey, who homered Sunday, or Bart any looks at a corner-infield spot in camp, a curious decision thus far because of the flexibility that is being flexed at every other position.
“Right now we’re looking to develop Joey’s ability behind the plate,” said Kapler, who said he didn’t envision asking one catcher to trade mitts anytime soon.
It is still early, as Kapler reminded, and it’s possible the Giants wait until camp breaks to ask Bart to get some reps at first or third base. Still, whenever it’s time, it will be an awkward coexistence of a prized catching prospect and three-time World Series champ.
“I think that’s the type of bridge you cross when you get there,” Kapler said.
Kapler declined to reveal anything further on Heliot Ramos’ mild oblique strain suffered Friday. Asked if this slows the center fielder’s development for 2020, Kapler said: “I don’t think anybody anticipates that.”
Tony Watson will throw his second bullpen session of the spring Monday, having been held back earlier with shoulder tightness.
The lefty threw 20 pitches Saturday then Sunday threw from “100-plus feet,” Kapler said.
Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt each swiped a bag against the Padres, bringing the Giants to nine steals thus far in the Cactus League.
It will be interesting to see whether the aggression carries over into the regular season.
“We’re going to be opportunistic on the bases,” Kapler said. “We’re going to take what the opposing pitchers, catchers and defense give us.”