The Uncertainty at Catcher: What's Next for the San Francisco Giants?

As we approach the start of the new season, one position on the San Francisco Giants roster remains shrouded in uncertainty: catcher. With Opening Day just around the corner, it's hard to ignore the lack of moves made by the team to bolster their catching corps.

In Act 1 of the season, which covered Opening Day through June 4, the Giants' lack of activity at the position was already causing concerns. The trade of Curt Casali last year and the subsequent waiving of Austin Wynns further solidified the idea that Joey Bart will be given the keys to the position this year.

But what can fans expect in return? Bart's 2022 season was a play in three acts, with no plans to add to it. Despite being the lowest-impact position on the team, per ZiPS projections, which predict the Giants will only muster 1.3 WAR from their catchers, there are still three major storylines surrounding the position.

With pitchers and catchers set to report in just 20 days, it's jarring to look at the 40-man roster and see that there's only one catcher on the team. The dust has somewhat settled since Wynns cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Sacramento, but the question remains: what's next?

The Giants have been linked to former All-Star Gary Sánchez, but President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi publicly stated that the team is unlikely to make any more Major League moves at the position. This leaves fans wondering what will happen if something goes awry.

Joey Bart and other catchers on the 40-man roster, including Luke Sabol, are set to take on bigger roles in 2023. Players in the system like Rettenmaier Cumberland could also factor into the position if needed. Additionally, players who played catcher for the Giants in 2022, such as Will Proctor, will look to make an impact.

As we kick off our season previews, it's only fair that we address the state of the catching position. With just a few weeks until pitchers and catchers report, one thing is certain: no position on the San Francisco Giants is as big of a question mark as the catchers.

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