Austin Barnes of the Los Angeles Dodgers was named the 12th catching prospect for the 2017 season by Baseball America. Barnes is rated the second-best prospect at catcher in the National League West, behind Tom Murphy of the Colorado Rockies.
Barnes was previously ranked a top-10 catching prospect heading into this season by MLB Pipeline. He was selected by the then-Florida Marlins in the ninth round of the 2011 Draft, and included in the December 2014 trade that sent Dee Gordon to the Marlins.
While Barnes is viewed among the top prospects at his position, the 27-year-old is hardly limited to playing catcher. Barnes appeared in 106 games last season between the Dodgers (21 games) and Triple-A Oklahoma City (85 games).
During his time with OKC, Barnes hit .295/.380/.443, with six home runs, 39 RBIs and 22 doubles. Barnes laid to rest the stereotype that’s attached to catchers, as his versatility played a role in him stealing 18 bases while in Triple-A.
Barnes was called up to the Dodgers four times last season and remained for good once active rosters expanded in September. While with the club, Barnes received starts at catcher, second base and third base.
His athleticism and ability to play multiple positions led to the Dodgers carrying Barnes on their National League Division Series roster. He went 1-for-2 during the best-of-five series, and scored a go-ahead run as a pinch-runner in the seventh inning of Game 5.
During the offseason Barnes was named one the Dodgers’ top 10 prospects by ESPN’s Keith Law, who ranked No. 6 in the organization.
