The Giants obviously respect Buster Posey's decision to retire after 12 seasons on Thursday but were hoping the veteran catcher would return in 2022 after such a strong comeback season.
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area following Posey's retirement press conference and explained why the organization has confidence in the man who could replace Posey as the next franchise catcher.
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"We are fortunate to have in the organization a top-25 prospect in Joey Bart, who unlike when we brought him up in 2020, now has a full season in Triple-A under his belt," Zaidi said Thursday to NBC Sports Bay Area. "This is perfect timing for Joey Bart to get an opportunity, that's why we drafted him back in 2018, and I know he's excited to step up and show us what he can do. We're going to kind of keep our options open as this offseason unfolds, but our No. 1 priority is to give Joey that opportunity that he has really earned up to this point."
After Posey opted out of the 2020 season, Bart got 111 MLB at-bats over 33 games during the pandemic-shortened campaign. Bart hit just .233 and did not hit a home run, striking out 41 times compared to just three walks.
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In 279 at-bats with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats in 2021, Bart slashed .294/.358/.472 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI over 67 games.
San Francisco Giants
Now with Posey retiring, Bart will get his chance to prove he was worth the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Clearly, the front office has confidence Bart can do just that.