ATLANTA -- Former Georgia Tech star Joey Bart is coming home to serve as the Braves’ backup catcher.
Bart was acquired from the Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton on Thursday night. Veteran catcher Sandy León was designated for assignment to create a spot on Atlanta’s roster.
TRADE DETAILS
Braves get: C Joey Bart
Pirates get: RHP Hunter Stratton
Bart hasn’t lived up to the promise that surrounded him when he was taken by the Giants with the second overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. But he is an offensive upgrade over the 37 year-old León, who hit .091 with a .182 OPS in 44 plate appearances this year.
Coming home could be a benefit for Bart, who went to suburban Atlanta’s Buford High School before starring for Tech. The 29-year-old catcher hit .259 with two home runs and a .669 OPS over 62 plate appearances before the Pirates put him on the 10-day injured list in May with a left foot infection.
Bart has gone 6-for-17 with two doubles and a homer for Triple-A Indianapolis during his rehab assignment. He will be active for Atlanta during Friday’s series opener against the Brewers.
The Pirates opted to stick with Endy Rodríguez’s promising bat instead of activating Bart to share the catching duties with Henry Davis.
Stratton will attempt to aid Pittsburgh’s bullpen woes. He made just 13 appearances (one this year) for Atlanta over the past two years. He pitched for the Pirates from 2023-25.