Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In a season that has seen so many positive contributions from all around the Giants’ roster, the most exciting prospect on the 40-man has not received much of a chance.
That ends Saturday for Joey Bart.
With Buster Posey on the injured list and Curt Casali having played Friday night, Bart was called up and was set to get a start over Chadwick Tromp for Saturday’s matinee at Oracle Park. The Giants optioned Logan Webb, who will build up at Triple-A Sacramento during the All-Star break, to create roster room.
“He’s been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and looking forward to it,” Gabe Kapler said before the Giants hosted the Nationals, which would be Bart’s first start this season. “I also thinking very well prepared for it.”
Bart’s debut season did not go as planned, when he struck out 41 times in 111 plate appearances in 2020 and revealed his plate discipline needs work, as he continually could not read or resist breaking balls away. The Giants brought in Casali this offseason to ensure they would be covered as the 24-year-old prospect got more seasoning at Triple-A.
The numbers are eye-popping, though many are in what used to be called the PCL. He has slashed .338/.400/.581 in 35 games, launching eight home runs while striking out 42 times. Kapler acknowledged there is still some swing-and-miss in his swing, which he will need to improve upon, but the power is legitimate.
“The quality of contact has been really good,” Kapler said. “…There’s no concerns about his ability to impact and drive the baseball. And again, I think there’s enough aptitude in there where some of the holes that he had last year have started to get smaller. I think he’s a better hitter now than he was when we had him in the summer last year.
“I think he’s a better all-around player, and I think those improvements speak to the type of baseball player that he can be for us, which is kind of an excellent middle-of-the-order, regular bat if he continues to improve.”
Kapler praised Bart’s receiving as well, which was most examined last year in terms of his relationships with the pitchers, with namely Johnny Cueto and Bart not working well together. Bart is catching Anthony DeSclafani on Saturday and batting seventh against Jon Lester.
The plan for Webb, meanwhile, is likely to get a start with the River Cats. He could become the Giants’ fifth starter out of the break after throwing three scoreless innings and 45 pitches Friday. The Giants have had a vacancy in their rotation without Sammy Long, who is out with a low back strain. That fifth spot has been a revolving door this season, and Aaron Sanchez is expected to start a rehab game with Low-A San Jose on Saturday.
Tommy La Stella is expected to play five innings at second base as his rehab assignment restarts with Sacramento. Mike Tauchman also will begin a rehab assignment with the River Cats on Saturday.
Brandon Belt, who took ground balls Friday, was expected to start his running program Saturday.
Reyes Moronta was set to throw a live batting practice Saturday in San Jose. A rehab assignment would be the next step.
Amid injuries and bow-outs, including with Buster Posey and Kevin Gausman, the NL All-Star replacements were Walker Buehler, Yadier Molina, Freddy Peralta, Max Scherzer, Justin Turner and Taijuan Walker. Tyler Rogers and DeSclafani will not be part of the game.
“I’m disappointed for Tyler Rogers, I think Anthony DeSclafani is also deserving,” Kapler said, with Rogers having grown up about 20 minutes away from Coors Field. “I understand that in every dugout around baseball, managers are disappointed their players were not selected, so I don’t want to go too over the top here. But I just thought both of those players were really deserving of consideration.”