Going into the 2017 season, Yasmani Grandal was the unquestioned starting catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. After all, he was coming off a season in which he led all players at his position with 27 home runs.
Grandal’s backup, Austin Barnes, was getting his first real opportunity to be a Major League player, having just seen limited time with the Dodgers in 2015 and 2016. Grandal got off to a hot start to the season and as the year went on, Barnes proved to be the better option.
Barnes began to receive more and more starts behind the plate, and eventually supplanted Grandal as the primary catcher come the postseason. Barnes started 13 of the Dodgers’ 15 playoff games.
Both catchers had strong seasons, and are now considered top-10 catchers going into the 2018 season by MLB Network’s ‘The Shredder.’
Grandal was ranked fourth behind Buster Posey, Gary Sanchez and Willson Contreras. While Barnes was not far behind at No. 6, with J.T. Realmuto sandwiching between the two Dodger backstops.
Grandal started 113 games for the Dodgers last season, compared to 53 for Barnes. Grandal edged Barnes in power numbers as he hit 22 home runs and drove in 58 runs while slashing .247/.308/.459.
Barnes was the better overall hitter though, finishing with a .289/.408/.486 slashline with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.
For much of the season the duo was in a platoon with Barnes starting against left-handed pitching. How they will split time this season is undecided. Dodgers Dave Roberts indicated it will be an open competition for playing time this spring.
Roberts added that he anticipates Grandal will report to camp with the expectation of winning his starting job back. Considering how comfortable Roberts is with both, and their talent level, the Dodgers should be in strong position with Barnes or Grandal starting on a regular basis.
| Rank | The Shredder | Brian Kenny | Dave Valle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buster Posey (Giants) | Buster Posey (Giants) | Buster Posey (Giants) |
| 2 | Gary Sanchez (Yankees) | Gary Sanchez (Yankees) | Gary Sanchez (Yankees) |
| 3 | Willson Contreras (Cubs) | J.T. Realmuto (Marlins) | Willson Contreras (Cubs) |
| 4 | Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers) | Yadier Molina (Cardinals) | Yadier Molina (Cardinals) |
| 5 | J.T. Realmuto (Marlins) | Willson Contreras (Cubs) | Mike Zunino (Mariners) |
| 6 | Austin Barnes (Dodgers) | Salvador Perez (Royals) | Salvador Perez (Royals) |
| 7 | Mike Zunino (Mariners) | Brian McCann (Astros) | J.T. Realmuto (Marlins) |
| 8 | Yadier Molina (Cardinals) | Jonathan Lucroy (Free Agent) | Tyler Flowers (Braves) |
| 9 | Tyler Flowers (Braves) | Tyler Flowers (Braves) | Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers) |
| 10 | Chris Iannetta (Rockies) | Chris Iannetta (Rockies) | Austin Barnes (Dodgers) |
