Giants like what they see from top prospect Bart

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants could get used to seeing this from top prospect Joey Bart.

Bart lifted the Giants to a 4-1 win over the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Monday by delivering a three-run double to snap a 1-1 tie in the ninth inning. The 22-year-old catcher came up to bat with two outs and the bases loaded and promptly crushed an 1-0 fastball from Los Angeles right-hander Luis Vasquez to right-center field for the game-winning hit.

"That was a lot of fun today, for sure," Bart said. "I knew I had a chance there at the end, after that first ball. I knew he was going to come to me. I just had to make it count."

Bart, the second overall pick in last June’s Draft, has made the most of his first big league camp with the Giants, going 7-for-14 (.500) with six RBIs in 10 Cactus League games.

"He's done a great job here, the way he's carrying himself," manager Bruce Bochy said. "You want these guys to have that sense of belonging, and he's getting some playing time. That's why he's still here. We're able to get him back there and give him some reps at the plate and also catch some of these pitchers. It was a great experience for him. It really is. First Major League camp, and what a terrific job he's done."

Bart is slated to open the season at Class A Advanced San Jose, but he said he's appreciated the chance to learn from other big leaguers in camp and test himself against elite pitching this spring.

"It's been unreal," Bart said. "The best thing, I think, is facing these Major League talent players and kind of getting that experience under my wing. Facing these high-velocity arms, guys that really know what they're doing. That makes you a lot better. That's been the most important."

Strong outing for Stratton
Right-hander Chris Stratton looked sharp against the Dodgers on Monday, yielding one run on two hits while walking one and striking out four over four innings. Stratton, who has recorded a 5.40 ERA over 10 innings this spring, is out of options and competing for a spot on the Giants' pitching staff. He could find a fit as a swing man since the club already appears to have five starters ahead of him in Madison Bumgarner, Derek Holland, Jeff Samardzija, Drew Pomeranz and Dereck Rodriguez.

Stratton said he's open to any role with the Giants.

"It's definitely just pitching," Stratton said. "It's just a mental thing, I believe. Just preparation before the game. Do I enjoy starting? Yes. It's my favorite thing to do. I feel like I've had some pretty good games up there doing that, but I know that if I'm called on to relieve, I'll be ready for it."

Anderson, Shaw among latest round of cuts
Right-hander Shaun Anderson and outfielder Chris Shaw, who are ranked the Giants' No. 4 and 11 prospects, respectively, by MLB Pipeline, were among the eight players sent to Minor League camp following Sunday's game.

Bochy said the Giants hope to get Shaw more consistent at-bats on the Minor League side. The 25-year-old possesses impressive raw power and crushed 24 home runs for Triple-A Sacramento last year, but the Giants would like to see him improve his plate discipline. Shaw struck out 144 times in 394 at-bats at Triple-A and drew just 21 walks.

"You look at last year, between the walks and strikeouts, you'd like to change those numbers a little bit," Bochy said. "Sometimes it takes a few reps for some guys, but he's got the bat that's a potential heart-of-the-order guy, and so he just needs to go down and get his three to four at-bats every day and work on that part."

The Giants also optioned infielders Abiatal Avelino, Ryder Jones and Breyvic Valera and right-hander Sam Coonrod and re-assigned right-handers Enderson Franco and Keyvius Sampson. Forty-five players remain in big league camp.

Big milestone for Vogt
Catcher Stephen Vogt started behind the plate for the first time this spring, catching five innings and going 1-for-3 in a Minor League game on Monday. Vogt, who signed a Minor League deal last month, is coming off shoulder surgery and had only appeared as a designated hitter in Cactus League action. He is 6-for-12 (.500) over five games, though he likely remains behind Aramis Garcia and Rene Rivera in the battle for the backup catcher job.

Up next
Ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner will make his fourth start of the spring on Tuesday when the Giants host the Brewers at 7:05 p.m. PT at Scottsdale Stadium. Right-hander Zach Davies is slated to pitch for Milwaukee.