Player News

• Pirates' Joey Bart: Impressive start to spring

  21D ago • By RotoWire

  Bart has gone 4-for-11 with two home runs and six RBI in Grapefruit League action. Bart homered for the second consecutive game Wednesday, blasting a fastball over the fence in center field during a win over the Blue Jays. He's expected to be the Pirates' primary catcher in 2025, and his start to spring training has seemingly solidified that role.

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• Pirates' Joey Bart: Earning $1.75M in 2025

  01/09/2025 • By RotoWire

  Bart and the Pirates avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million deal, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft was unable to establish himself as the Giants' long-term answer at catcher over parts of four seasons in the big leagues, but the 28-year-old benefited from a change of scenery after he was shipped to Pittsburgh in April. He ended the 2024 campaign as the Pirates' top catcher, having slashed .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI and 38 runs across 282 plate appearances. The Pirates have 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis and 24-year-old Endy Rodriguez on hand as intriguing young options at catcher, but based on his performance last season, Bart will enter spring training as the favorite to open the 2025 campaign as the Bucs' top backstop.

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• Pirates' Joey Bart: Top of depth chart at catcher

  12/16/2024 • By RotoWire

  Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on Dec. 10 in an interview on MLB Network that Bart will enter 2025 as the favorite to start at catcher, The Bucco Beat reports. The Pirates acquired Bart shortly after Opening Day and he eventually emerged as the team's primary catcher, slashing .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs over 280 plate appearances. Endy Rodriguez will be back from elbow surgery and Henry Davis is still around, so Bart will have competition for playing time behind the plate, but he'll enter the season with a leg up for the starting job.

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• Pirates' Joey Bart: Idle Saturday

  09/28/2024 • By RotoWire

  Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees. After tallying six hits over his last five games, Bart will take a seat Saturday against Luis Gil and company. Yasmani Grandal will start behind the dish while batting seventh.

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• Pirates' Joey Bart: Resting Wednesday

  09/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Bart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers. Bart will grab a breather Wednesday after starting at catcher in both of the past two games. Yasmani Grandal will replace Bart behind the dish.

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