What Happens to Austin Barnes?

Austin Barnes was drafted by the Marlins in the 9th round of the 2011 amateur draft. In December of 2014, Austin was acquired by Andrew Friedman in one of his first trades with the Dodgers. He was a key piece in the Dee Gordon trade wherein the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas, and cash for Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney, Kike Hernandez, and Austin Barnes. Austin Barnes might have been the best player acquired in that trade based on longevity as a foundational piece of the team. It is unusual to say that a backup catcher is a “foundational piece” for a team, but he has always been ready to play, having only a couple of IL bouts.

2022 is Austin Barnes’ 8th season with the Dodgers, and it could be his last, as he will be a free agent after the season is over. He has been a backup catcher all of his career… and a damn good one! He has been Clayton Kershaw’s catcher of choice for quite some time, and his catching prowess is appreciated by just about every pitcher on the Dodger’s staff. Austin Barnes is arguably the best backup catcher in baseball… to say nothing of being one of the best teammates ever.

He deserves to be there because he is very good at what he does. He is a backup catcher who calls a great game, blocks pitches in the dirt, has good speed, and is a good baserunner. He has surprising power, is a good pinch-hitter, and is just a freaking all-around good teammate. He has also played 2B 56 times and 3B a handful of times. He’s no All-Star, but he won’t embarrass anyone.

Did I mention that he will be 33 next year? Austin has made about $7.5 Million in his career. What if Steve Cohen (the Mets could use an Austin Barnes) offered Austin a $20 Million 2 year deal? That is triple what he has made in his entire career, and his career is winding down. He needs to make hay while the sun is shining. I am not sure he could be a starter because he is not big, but he really is not much smaller than Will Smith. Will Smith is, however, a very, very strong man.

Of course, Andrew Friedman could also justify a contract like that with Barnesie. Keep him as the backup catcher and team leader. He understands what it means to be a Dodger. On the other hand, the Dodgers farm system is loaded with catchers. Let’s look at who the prospects are in the pipeline:

• Diego Cartaya – (6′ 3″/220 RH Hitter – age 20) The pride of the farm system, Diego has a shot at being one of those guys who come up every 10 to 20 years, but he has to deliver on that promise and keep growing. He projects as a generational All-Star. He’s at least two years away, but Will Smith is not a free agent until 2026.
• Hunter Feduccia – (6’2″/215 LH Hitter – Age 24). Next to Cartaya, I like Feduccia the best; the fact that he is a LH Hitter should be a plus if your starting catcher is RH. Hunter has good-bat-to-ball skills and is now showing more power. His defense is solid, and his arm is above average. This year in 73 ABs he is hitting .274 with a .978 OPS and has 7 HR (one every 10 ABs) at Tulsa. He could be ready for a backup role in 2023, but most likely in 2024. He has a shot at being a starter… but not with the Dodgers.
• Carson Taylor – (6′ 2″/205 Switch Hitter – Age 22). Two years younger than Feduccia, he is regarded as a “hit first” catcher. He is a line-drive hitter, and the Dodgers are “re-tooling” his swing as they did with Will Smith and Jacob Amaya. He’s not particularly agile behind the plate and will likely develop more power as he matures. He has played 1B in the past and could also play there in the future.
• Chris Betts – (6′ 2″/215 LH Hitter – Age 25). Mookies’ younger brother – just kidding! He has the tools to be a backup catcher but is below average defensively and his hit tool can’t carry him all the way. He is a long shot.
• Yeiner Fernandez – (5′ 9″/170 RH Hitter – Age 20). You have to be able to project this guy as he is likely four years away, but I do not see him as any more than a backup. Of course, that is what Austin Barnes is.
• Jesus Galtz – (6′ 0″/185 RH Hotter – Age 19) – He was the Top Ranked International Catching Prospect. He is very athletic and agile with great hands and a good-to-great arm. He could be a starter but is likely 3 or 4 years away.

The Dodgers also have Tomas Telis (a 30-year-old Switch hitter) and 29-year-old Tony Wolters (LH Hitter), who are the emergency catchers. They will likely move on next year but are insurance if Smith or Barnes go down.

So, the question is: What do the Dodgers do with Austin Barnes in 2023… and beyond? Do they take care of him or let him walk to a better contract? Here’s your chance to weigh in.

Dodger Rants & Raves

• Gavin Lux has not displayed any more evidence of the “yips” and is starting to look like he belongs at 2B. His hitting is ticking up, and he is gaining confidence, but I do not this he will EVER be the Dodger’s SS. Jacob Amaya is light years ahead defensively and has the baseball IQ and innate leadership that is off the charts. The Dodgers have re-tooled Amaya’s swing, much like they did Will Smith, and he has become a beast. Amaya and Lux could make a great keystone combination for years to come.
• Chris Taylor is looking lost about now. Could it be that he is best as a backup? A Swiss Army Knife? Kike is hitting .188 for the Red Sox… Maybe they are the same guy.
• Max Muncy needs to move to lower in the order until he fixes whatever needs to be fixed. His .336 OB% is not horrible, but a move down to #7 or #8 might help.
• Mookie Betts is breaking out! We know he is healthy and capable of carrying this team. Sometimes Funks Happen.
• The Dodgers’ Bullpen is #3 in MLB, and their pitching overall is #1 in Team ERA.
• Keibert Ruiz is starting to show his potential as he sits at .292 BA/.357 OB% and a .746 OPS. His power will come in another year. He strikes out just 11% of the time.
• The Dodgers have nothing to lose in picking up Pedro Baez. Hopefully, it is a mechanical issue, not an arm issue that has taken 5-6 MPH off his fastball. They know him; he knows them. No risk here.

Dodger Minor League Highlights & Lowlights

• Michael Grove and Bobby Miller started last night for OKC and Tulsa, respectively. Grove went 4.1 innings, allowed 4 hits and 2 ER, striking out 3 while walking 5. Duplantier, Moronta, Cleavinger, and Fulmer all pitched scoreless innings afterward. Carson Fulmer got his 3rd Save.
• Miguel Vargas was 24 (.306/.909 OPS)
• Ryan Pepiot is scheduled to start today for OKC.
• Hunter Feduccia hit his 7th HR and drove in three runs for Tulsa.
• Bobby Miller went 4 innings, allowed 4 hits, 4 runs, and walked 3 while striking out 6.
• Leasure, Zuniga, and Washington all pitched scoreless innings. Washington got his 4th save.
• Nick Nastrini went 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 rin, 1 BB, and struck out 7, surpassing both Miller and Grove last night.
• Maddux Bruns was soundly spanked with RC last night (3.2 IP/3 H/4 R/2 BB/2 K (4.82 ERA).
• They walked Diego Cartaya twice last night as he was 0-1 (.938 OPS).