For the San Francisco Giants, evaluating their catching depth heading into the 2026 season looks much the same as it did a year ago, with continuity rather than overhaul defining the position.
That lack of movement is hardly a negative, especially considering the Giants continue to employ one of the game’s premier defensive catchers in Patrick Bailey.
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Bailey remains the clear-cut starter and the backbone of the Giants’ catching group. A two-time Gold Glove winner, he has established himself as arguably the best defensive catcher in Major League Baseball.
While questions about his offensive consistency persist, the overall value he provides behind the plate continues to outweigh those concerns for San Francisco.
Offensively, Bailey’s 2025 campaign was modest. He finished the season hitting with a slash line of .222/.277/.325 with six home runs and a 73 OPS+, placing him well below league-average production.
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Those numbers have fueled debate among fans about his everyday role, but the Giants’ confidence in Bailey is rooted almost entirely in his elite defense.
Advanced metrics illustrate just how impactful Bailey is. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 99th percentile in pop time at 1.86 seconds and sits in the 97th percentile in caught-stealing rate.
His ability to block pitches also stands out, grading in the 80th percentile. Even with the anticipated expansion of the ABS challenge system in 2026, Bailey’s framing skills remain unmatched, as he grades in the 100th percentile in that category.
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Simply put, no catcher saves more runs or controls the running game better.
That defensive dominance explains why Bailey continues to receive the majority of the playing time despite his offensive limitations. For a Giants roster built around pitching depth and run prevention, his skill set fits seamlessly with the club’s overall identity.
Behind Bailey, San Francisco appears content to rely on internal depth rather than making a splash on the free-agent market. While an external option such as Jonah Heim could theoretically add experience, the Giants are well-positioned with Jesus Rodriguez and Daniel Susac already on the 40-man roster.
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Both reached Triple-A in 2025 and showed encouraging offensive profiles, offering more upside with the bat than Bailey.
As the Giants move toward 2026, catching remains a position of stability. With an elite defensive starter and capable internal backups pushing for opportunities, San Francisco’s depth behind the plate is quietly one of the more reliable units on the roster.
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