Kapler had to answer a lot of questions about Joey Bart in the spring and early summer camp, but the intensity increased when Buster Posey chose to exit the season, and has reached another level in the past few days, as Bart has shone at big. open catch competition.
Kapler has mostly reiterated that the Giants believe the former No. 2 overall pick has some development left, but he took his time on Saturday to praise Bart for how he is handling speculation. Kapler said he has reviewed Bart and others have, too, noting that “we are just keeping a pulse on Joey’s enthusiasm.”
“One of the things I’m going to say about Joey is that he’s had an incredibly professional camp,” said Kapler. “With all the conversations that have been going around, he has never let that affect his work in the bullpen, his work with pitchers. He has had great at-bats, as you have seen him. He has been a professional, and that is the most important data point, knowing that he is where he should be and that his head is in the right place. “
Bart has always been praised for his maturity behind the plate and in the clubhouse, and his veteran teammates have tried to help him feel even more comfortable this spring. Evan Longoria said he tried to take Bart under his protection, and Hunter Pence and Bart are regularly seen walking from side to side of the field to the cages, chatting as they go.
It is clear that veterans see someone who can help them soon, if not now, and Bart has impressed on simulated games as the season approaches. He hit a strong home run on Friday night and threw two running backs earlier in the week.
“He’s ready to win,” outfielder Austin Slater said Saturday. “He has worked a lot, especially on the defensive side, which is great to see.”
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