SAN FRANCISCO—Patrick Bailey made his return to the starting lineup on Wednesday after sitting out four games, but the Giants’ catching situation continues to be less than ideal.
“There isn’t a rule that says you need a catcher every day,” manager Tony Vitello remarked.
It seems the Giants are proving just that.
Since Bailey’s promotion in May 2023, he has participated in 381 of the 478 games. That puts him among only four other catchers in the majors who have logged more time behind the plate.
Recently, he had been benched in favor of Jesus Rodriguez and Eric Haase as the team sought to boost their offense. Bailey was also starting to lose playing time to Andrew Susak, a Rule 5 pick, until he landed on injured reserve.
These three catchers have a common advantage—they offer more offensive firepower compared to Bailey, who has struggled at the plate. Rodriguez, Haase, and Susak collectively posted a 1.187 OPS in 36 at-bats. Following Wednesday’s game, Bailey’s batting average had dropped to .396.
“We’re experiencing daily changes concerning who will catch,” Vitello noted.
Despite being a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and recognized as a premier defender, Bailey’s recent struggles at bat have overshadowed his value. Currently, he ranks as the third-best catcher in the league according to fWAR, but his performances are faltering.
Before Wednesday, Bailey’s OPS stood at a mere .411, which was among the lowest for players with at least 80 plate appearances. His averages reflect a significant drop, with his performance being 80% below average this season.
These offensive struggles mark the toughest stretch of Bailey’s career, and they are harder to hide in a lineup that lacks support. If the team were more robust in scoring, it would be easier to position a weaker-hitting catcher lower in the order.
The Giants are eager to find ways to score, currently sitting last in the league for runs (115), home runs (23), on-base percentage (.282), walks (72), and stolen bases (10).
“The more we see quality at-bats, the more opportunities there are for anyone to contribute,” Vitello stated.
Rodriguez made a notable debut, batting .300 across all levels before his promotion. Just the night prior, he recorded his first major league hit—a solo home run and an RBI single.
“I appreciate all kinds of hits, even the flare ones,” Vitello commented, acknowledging Rodriguez’s hitting style. He added that the player is “in a good position to hit” and makes his efforts known, both in quality hits and at-bats.
With Bailey back behind the plate for Wednesday’s game, Rodriguez was placed in right field, a role that presented some challenges since he mostly played left in the minors. Vitello aimed to keep Heriot Ramos in a more comfortable position.
Rodriguez has also taken on roles as a second baseman, while Haase can fill in as needed in the outfield.
This flexibility might allow the Giants to keep three catchers active if Susak gets healthy. He’s expected to start a rehabilitation assignment this weekend, but how they handle their respective duties remains to be seen.
Bailey faced three at-bats on Wednesday, striking out twice. During his absence, the catchers had a combined performance of 3-for-10, featuring some notable extra-base hits. Vitello emphasized that Bailey had “worked through everything” and had made the right decisions. Only time will reveal if his attempts will translate into improved results.
“He’s shown some solid recovery in recent days,” Vitello said. “He wants to be out there.”
