Austin Scott Barnes Bio
Austin Scott Barnes is an American professional baseball catcher who most recently played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball. Born in Riverside, California, Barnes has built a reputation as an elite defensive catcher with strong pitch-framing abilities. He helped the Dodgers win World Series championships in 2020 and 2024 during his decade-long tenure with the organization. Barnes has also represented the Mexico national baseball team internationally. He is currently a free agent following his release from the Dodgers organization in May 2025.
Early Life and Background
Austin Scott Barnes was born on December 28, 1989, in Riverside, California, to Dennis and Stephanie Barnes. He is the oldest of four children. His mother is Mexican-American, though Barnes was raised speaking only English. Baseball runs in his family, as his maternal uncle, Mike Gallego, played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics. Barnes began playing baseball at a young age and played shortstop in Little League Baseball, where his nickname was “Hoover” for his ability to field ground balls cleanly.
Barnes attended Riverside Polytechnic High School, where he played on the same baseball team as future Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick. He earned four varsity letters and served as team captain during his senior year. As a junior in 2007, he posted a batting average of .450, which he improved to .478 during his senior season. Outside of high school, Barnes played for travel teams and helped his summer league team reach the American Amateur Baseball Congress Don Mattingly Championship.
Path to Professional Baseball
After graduating from Riverside Poly, Barnes attended Arizona State University to play college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He saw limited action during his freshman season, appearing in only 20 games as a catcher and second baseman. During his sophomore year, after teammates Xorge Carrillo and Andrew Pollak suffered injuries, Barnes was called upon to catch. He adapted quickly, throwing out 19 of the first 24 baserunners he faced and finishing the season with a .272 batting average.
Barnes elected to remain the starting catcher for his junior season despite an opportunity to return to the infield. On March 27, 2011, he hit his first home run of the season in an 8-1 victory over Arizona. He played in 43 games that season, starting 41 behind the plate, and posted a .994 fielding percentage with a .320 batting average, 27 runs, and 15 RBIs. His strong performance earned him All-Pac-10 First Team honors.
Austin Scott Barnes Career
Los Angeles Dodgers (2015–2025)
The Miami Marlins originally selected Barnes in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB draft. On December 10, 2014, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney, and Enrique Hernández in exchange for Dan Haren, Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas, and cash. Barnes was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers to begin the 2015 season. On May 23, 2015, he was called up to the Major Leagues when Yasmani Grandal went on the disabled list with a concussion. He made his MLB debut on May 24, 2015, recording one hit in three at-bats against the San Diego Padres. Barnes spent most of 2015 in the minors, where he hit .315 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs for Oklahoma City while earning Triple-A All-Star honors.
Barnes appeared in 21 games for the Dodgers in 2016, but he truly broke out in 2017 when he made the Opening Day roster as the backup catcher. On June 30, 2017, he recorded his first multi-homer game, including a career grand slam and three-run home run, driving in a career-high seven RBIs against the San Diego Padres. He gradually took over as the starter during the playoffs and finished the regular season with a .289 batting average, eight home runs, and 38 RBIs in 102 games. In the 2017 postseason, he had four hits in the NLDS sweep of the Diamondbacks and contributed during the championship run.
Catching Style and Strengths
Barnes has established himself as one of MLB’s premier defensive catchers, particularly known for his elite pitch-framing ability. He ranked third in the league in framing and defensive statistics during the 2018 season, posting a .993 fielding percentage while allowing only one passed ball. His defensive value has made him a reliable option behind the plate, even during seasons when his offensive numbers dipped.
Notable Events and Milestones
Barnes has been part of two Dodgers World Series championship teams. During the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, he became only the second player in World Series history to hit both a home run and execute a safety squeeze in the same game, joining Héctor López who accomplished the feat in 1961. He caught the final out of the 2020 World Series as Julio Urías closed out the game. Barnes won his second championship ring with the Dodgers in 2024.
Austin Scott Barnes Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Barnes has accumulated 245 games played, 35 home runs, and 162 RBIs with a .223 batting average across nine seasons with the Dodgers organization.
Major League Highlights
Barnes won World Series championships with the Dodgers in both 2020 and 2024. His most productive offensive season came in 2017, when he hit .289 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs while appearing in 102 games. He also represented Mexico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami, further establishing his international credentials in the sport.
Other Achievements
Prior to reaching the majors, Barnes was a standout at Arizona State University, where he was named to the All-Pac-10 First Team. In the minors, he earned Triple-A All-Star recognition in 2015 and was named to Baseball America’s Triple-A All-Star team.
| Series | Games | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 245 | .223 | 35 | 162 |
Austin Scott Barnes Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Barnes comes from a baseball family. His maternal uncle, Mike Gallego, played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics from 1989 to 1997. His younger brother, Griffin Barnes, also played catcher for Grand Canyon University and signed with the Los Angeles Angels organization. This family legacy has contributed to Barnes’s development and understanding of professional baseball.
Personal Life
Barnes married Nicole Breanna Rappaport in 2018. The couple resides in Glendale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles located close to Dodger Stadium. They have one son together. Barnes’s childhood nickname was “Hoover,” though his teammates now call him “Barnsey.” He also picked up the nickname “Sam” from former Dodgers teammate Chase Utley.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Barnes. He appeared in 13 games for the Dodgers before being designated for assignment on May 14, 2025, and released on May 20. During his brief time with the big club, he batted .214 with a .233 on-base percentage and .286 slugging percentage, collecting two RBIs. Following his release from the Dodgers, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on June 29, 2025.
With the Giants organization, Barnes split time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants and Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. In 13 combined minor league appearances, he went 8-for-39 (.205) with two RBIs. He was released by the Giants on August 1, 2025, becoming a free agent. Despite the challenges of the 2025 season, Barnes’s legacy includes his contributions to two Dodgers World Series championships and his reputation as an elite defensive catcher.