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White Sox acquire Joey Bart from Braves in late MLB trade deadline move originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago White Sox are adding a former top draft pick to their catching mix. Chicago is acquiring catcher Joey Bart from the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The complete return heading to Atlanta was not immediately reported.
The move gives Bart another change of scenery only two months after the Braves acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for veteran reliever Hunter Stratton. Bart has spent the 2026 season in a backup role, appearing in 41 games and making 106 at-bats. He is hitting .226 with four home runs, four doubles, 13 RBI and a .680 OPS.
Those numbers will not generate much attention during a busy MLB trade deadline, but Bart’s pedigree and previous flashes of offensive production make him an intriguing addition for Chicago.
Former No. 2 pick gets another fresh start
Bart entered professional baseball with enormous expectations after the San Francisco Giants selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The catcher was initially viewed as a potential successor to franchise legend Buster Posey, but he never established himself as San Francisco’s long-term answer behind the plate.
Bart eventually joined Pittsburgh and delivered the best offensive season of his career in 2024. He hit .265 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI and an .799 OPS across 80 games for the Pirates. He was unable to build on that breakthrough consistently, however, and has now been traded twice in a matter of months.
The White Sox will hope regular opportunities and a new environment can help Bart rediscover some of the power that once made him one of baseball’s most highly regarded prospects.
Bart’s power remains the reason to believe
Bart’s 2026 production has been modest, but he has continued to show occasional extra-base ability. All four of his home runs this season came against National League opponents. Over his major league career, he has recorded 32 home runs, 43 doubles and 126 RBI in 376 games.
Strikeouts remain a significant part of his offensive profile. Bart has struck out 375 times in 1,101 career at-bats, including 31 times in 106 at-bats this year. Still, catchers with legitimate power are difficult to find, and Bart does not turn 30 until December. Chicago can evaluate whether his 2024 performance was a temporary surge or evidence of an offensive level he can reach again.
MORE: Cubs acquire Braxton Garrett from Marlins in latest pitching move
Braves quickly move on from their catching addition
Bart’s brief stay in Atlanta ends with rookie Drake Baldwin also on the Braves’ catching depth chart. Atlanta entered Monday at 67-45 and atop the NL East, but Bart received limited playing time as the Braves continued their postseason push.
For the White Sox, this is a low-profile deadline move with some upside. Bart has not fulfilled the expectations attached to his draft position, but his power and prior success give Chicago a worthwhile reclamation project for the remainder of 2026.
More MLB news:
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- Cubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue Jays
- Twins acquire Dean Kremer from Orioles in MLB trade deadline move
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