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Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Austin Barnes ‘Pretty Confident’ After Adjusting Swing During ‘Motivating Offseason’
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Austin Barnes ‘Pretty Confident’ After Adjusting Swing During ‘Motivating Offseason’

Matthew Moreno
February 19, 2019
3 Min Read
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
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While the Los Angeles Dodgers relied on a catching tandem to get through the 2017 season, it was Austin Barnes who supplanted Yasmani Grandal as the primary starter down the stretch and for the club’s run to the World Series.

It wasn’t much of a surprise, as Barnes put together a career year and was the proverbial hot hand at a time the Dodgers needed 11 postseason wins. That success led to an open competition last spring.

It was one that saw Grandal re-claim his starting role and despite struggling late in the season, never truly relinquished because Barnes was enduring his own trouble. With Grandal now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, Barnes and Russell Martin will handle catching duties for the Dodgers.

Manager Dave Roberts has not yet determined who will receive the bulk of starts, though Barnes spent the offseason focused on bouncing back from a subpar year. “I’ve been working on my swing, trying to get it right. Last year was pretty tough,” he admitted.

“I feel pretty confident. I’ve been working with Rob (Van Scoyoc) a lot, been going up [to Dodger Stadium], hitting with him. I’m confident and happy with where my swing is right now. I think he does a great job.

“I needed to reset. It’s hard to make changes in the season. It’s an everyday thing, kind of hard to step back and try to evaluate things. I think we identified some things and just tried to chip away at them. It’s a process. It’s been a motivating offseason, for sure.”

As speculation swirled of the Dodgers’ pursuing established catchers such as Yan Gomes and J.T. Realmuto, Barnes blocked out the external noise. “You can only control what you can control in this game,” he said.

Along with refining his swinging, Barnes’ offseason regimen entailed adding strength to his frame. Whether that will be enough to earn Barnes a starting role or should he remain the backup catcher, he appreciates having the trust of the pitching staff.

“I take pride in knowing all the guys and having a relationship with every single one and knowing how they work,” Barnes said. “We all fight for each other.”

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TAGGED:2019 Spring TrainingAustin BarnesLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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