SF Giants: Don’t expect Joey Bart to replace Buster Posey

The SF Giants are unlikely to replace catcher Buster Posey with top prospect Joey Bart this season.

The SF Giants were dealt a serious blow when it was announced that catcher Buster Posey was opting out of the upcoming 2020 season.

The longtime Giants catcher made his decision following weeks of debating his future this season. In the end, he decided to do what was best for his family and his own safety and sit out.

Posey’s absence will leave a major hole in the lineup that will be almost impossible to fill. His leadership and veteran presence cannot be replicated while his bat in the lineup will be difficult to replace with the current state of the team.

So with Posey gone, who can Giants fans expect to fill in for the former National League MVP?

It isn’t going to be Aramis Garcia who remains sidelined following offseason hip surgery. And it isn’t going to be young prospect Chadwick Tromp, although the Giants seem increasingly high on him.

Instead, it’s very likely we see a combination of veterans Tyler Heineman and Rob Brantly compete for playing time at the position. It isn’t the most exciting outcome, but it is the most likely.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Of course, Giants fans won’t be pounding the table to see Heineman, Brantly, or any other catcher option play in 2020. Instead, they’ll be hoping and praying that the organization hands the reins over to top prospect Joey Bart.

SF Giants fans shouldn’t get their hopes up regarding Joey Bart playing in 2020.

Unfortunately, that seems to be nothing more than a pipe dream at this point.

While it would undoubtedly be amazing to see Bart take over for Posey and become the Giants’ full-time catcher in 2020, there are a few reasons why the team will likely decide against that.

For starters, Bart remains a little too inexperienced for the organization’s taste having tallied just over 500 career minor-league at-bats. The last thing the Giants want to do is rush Bart, especially in this wacky, shortened season.

Moreover, the Giants don’t see the need to start Bart’s service clock early and would rather hold off some more. They aren’t in any rush to push Bart to the majors full-time and it wouldn’t;t be surprising to see him play a backseat role in 2020.

The loss of Posey certainly hurts, but Giants fans shouldn’t be expecting Joey Bart to make up for it.