The Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year and defensive player of the year in 2018, Bart went No. 2 overall to the Giants that June and set a since-broken record for the largest up-front bonus given to a drafted position player ($7,025,000). He reached Double-A in his first full pro season despite missing six weeks after a pitch broke a bone in his left hand, then tore up the Arizona Fall League until he got hit by another pitch and fractured his right thumb. Though San Francisco has tried to avoid rushing him, he could push Buster Posey to another position by the end of 2020.
Bart has more raw power than most catchers, the product of bat speed, strength and leverage in his 6-foot-2 frame. Though most of the righty-hitting slugger's homers come to his pull side, he has legitimate pop to all fields. While he doesn't get caught up swinging for the fences, he'll need to be more selective at the plate in order to hit for average.
There were questions about Bart's ability to stay behind the plate when he was in high school, but he continually has improved and now has Gold Glove upside. He has worked diligently to become a quality receiver, possesses a strong and accurate arm and blocks balls well. He also has a knack for calling pitches and the leadership qualities desired at his position.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
Bart turned down the chance to go in the first five rounds of the 2015 Draft as a Georgia high schooler to attend Georgia Tech, where he improved offensively and defensively. The Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year and defensive player of the year in 2018, he went No. 2 overall to the Giants and signed for the largest up-front bonus for a position player ($7,025,000) in Draft history to that point. He continued to impress in his pro debut, finishing third in the short-season Northwest League with 13 homers despite playing just 45 games of a 76-game schedule.
Thanks to his bat speed, strength and leverage, Bart rivaled Alec Bohm (No. 3 overall to the Phillies) as the best right-handed power hitter in the 2018 Draft. He learned in college that he has natural power and doesn't have to swing for the fences, and he has the potential to produce 25 homers per season. With his controlled swing and improved plate discipline, he should hit for average to go with his pop.
Scouts were divided on Bart's ability to stay behind the plate when he was coming out of high school, but he has put those questions to rest. He lacks speed like most catchers but is relatively athletic for his position, moves well behind the plate and has made himself into a solid receiver. He has a strong arm and threw out 39 percent of basestealers during his debut.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
A potential top-five-rounds pick after leading Buford High to the Georgia 4A state championship in 2015, Bart instead fell to the Rays in the 27th round because of his commitment to Georgia Tech. His decision to attend college paid off handsomely, as he went No. 2 overall in the 2018 Draft and received the largest up-front bonus ($7.025 million) for a position player in Draft history. Bart improved offensively and defensively throughout his time with the Yellow Jackets, blossoming into the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.
With his bat speed, strength and leverage, Bart generates power to all fields from the right side of the plate. He improved as a hitter as he has understood that he doesn't have to sell out for home runs. Bart made tremendous strides with his plate discipline during the spring, and he has the swing and feel for hitting to produce solid batting averages.
While there were questions about Bart's defensive ability when he arrived at Georgia Tech, that's not the case any longer. He has cleaned up his receiving and there's no doubt that he can stay at catcher, where his strong arm deters the running game. Bart is relatively athletic for his position, though he's not a factor on the bases.
