Patrick Bailey turned in another strong season for the San Francisco Giants, showcasing consistency and reliability behind the plate.
As he heads into an offseason where he’s eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, Bailey is projected to earn a solid raise — MLB Trade Rumors projects his 2025 arbitration figure at $2.2 million.
A former 13th overall pick out of North Carolina State in 2020, Bailey hasn’t lit up the stat sheet offensively, but his all-around game has made him one of baseball’s premier defensive catchers.
According to Baseball Savant, Bailey ranked in the 100th percentile in pitch framing — the best mark in MLB — while also placing in the 99th percentile in pop time and 97th percentile in called strikes above average. Even his lowest defensive metric, blocks above average, sat in the 80th percentile. His 100th percentile fielding run value confirmed that no catcher in baseball saved more runs than he did.
At the plate, Bailey hit .222 with a .602 OPS, but he delivered in clutch situations. He became the first player in MLB history to record both a walk-off inside-the-park home run and a walk-off grand slam in the same season.
At just 26 years old, Bailey’s elite defense and knack for big moments ensure he’ll remain a key piece of the Giants’ future — and it’s safe to expect him back in San Francisco for 2026.
Be the first to comment