SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Baileywas back behind the plate Wednesday, but making his first start in four games, it’s clear there’s nothing status quo about the Giants’ catching situation.
“It’s not a rule to have an everyday catcher,”manager Tony Vitellosaid.
And for the first time in some time, it appears the Giants do not.
Since being called up in May 2023, Bailey has appeared in 381 of a possible 478 games. Only four other catchers in the majors have logged more innings in the squat.
He’s been held out of the lineup lately in favor of newly called-up Jesus Rodriguez and backup Eric Haase as the Giants search for an offensive spark. Before Rule 5 pick Andrew Susac landed on the injured list, Bailey had begun to cede playing time to him, too.
The three share something in common: They’re all bringing more to the table offensively than Bailey at the moment for a club starved of runs. Susac, Haase and Rodriguez have combined for 1.187 OPS in 36 plate appearances as a catcher; Bailey’s was down to .396 after Wednesday’s game.
“Everything’s pretty much day to day for us,” Vitello said in terms of who starts behind the plate.
A two-time Gold Glove winner and one of the top pitch-framers in the game, Bailey’s defense and durability made him a valuable asset — the third-best catcher in the league, according to fWAR. But, for the first time, it hasn’t been enough to outweigh his shortcomings at the plate.
Bailey’s .411 OPS entering Wednesday was the fourth lowest of any player with at least 80 plate appearances. Over his career, the switch-hitter had been about 22% below league average at the plate, according to OPS+; this year, he has been 80% worse than average.
The offensive woeshave been the worst of Bailey’s career. They have also been harder to mask in a lineup that hasn’t produced around him. It’s easier to carry a soft-hitting catcher at the bottom of the order when the middle of the lineup is carrying its share of the load.
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