Full Breakdown
Daniel Susac Emerges as the Giants’ Primary Catcher After Patrick Bailey Trade
8/1/2026, 1:12:16 AM
Trade Opens Door for a Rookie
On May 9, the San Francisco Giants dealt two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians for Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson and the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The move created a vacancy behind the plate that rookie Daniel Susac, acquired in the Rule 5 draft, has begun to fill.
Susac’s Early Performance
Susac’s first two major-league games produced a perfect 5-for-5 hitting line, a feat no Giant had achieved before and the first such start in the majors since Ted Cox in 1977. In his third game, he hit a home run that proved decisive in a 4-1 win over the San Diego Padres. The next night he homered again, making his last three hits all long balls. According to SI, Susac became the 201st player since 1900 to hit two or more home runs in his debut game and only the 20th to follow that with another homer in his next appearance.
Statistical Highlights
- Batting average: .256 overall, .260 at home, .342 versus left-handed pitchers, .217 versus right-handed pitchers.
- BABIP: .315, a metric the aroundthefoghorn analysis suggests may understate recent success.
- RISP slugging: .459, indicating strong production with runners in scoring position.
- Defensive metrics: Graded as a better pitch framer than Bailey this season and praised for throwing out base-stealers.
Outlook for San Francisco
Commentators note that while Susac is not yet an All-Star, his power surge and defensive upside give the Giants a potential cornerstone for a rebuild. The franchise could pair him with future pitching talent such as first-round pick Jackson Flora (2026) if his development continues. Observers also point to lingering questions about his game-calling abilities, but expect experience to improve those skills over time.
