Pirates’ Joey Bart enjoying new team as Giants’ former top prospect returns to San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – When the San Francisco Giants cut Joey Bart in late March and began shopping for trades for their once-heralded top prospect, the catcher had an inkling about the Pittsburgh Pirates as a destination.
He looked around at other teams´ rosters and wondered who might need catching depth. Better yet, he had family ties – his father, Tommy, grew up near Pittsburgh in Lower Burrell, and instilled a love of Pittsburgh sports in Bart.
“I had a weird feeling about Pittsburgh,” said Bart, who returned to San Francisco on Friday for the first time since being dealt this month, as the Pirates opened a three-game set against the Giants.
The 27-year-old likes being closer to his family, and is having fun so far with his new club. Bart, speaking before the game Friday near the visitors’ dugout, is impressed by what he described as a mix of young and experienced players on the Pirates.
“I really am enjoying it and have a lot of respect for the way this club goes about things,” Bart said. “I´m just glad to be here.”
Bart was drafted second overall by the Giants in 2018, and for years was seen as an heir to Buster Posey at catcher with lofty expectations. But Bart never found his footing in San Francisco, hitting .219 in 162 games over four seasons.
