Dodgers Catcher Austin Barnes Makes All-PCL Team

Oklahoma City catcher Austin Barnes has been named to the 2015 All-Pacific Coast League team, the league announced today.

The All-PCL Team selections were elected by the league’s field managers and media representatives. Barnes is one of 12 players selected to this season’s All-PCL Team. Tacoma first baseman Jesus Montero, Nashville second baseman Joey Wendle, Fresno third baseman Matt Duffy, and Albuquerque shortstop Cristhian Adames make up the elected infield. Domingo Santana, from Colorado Springs/Fresno, joins El Paso’s Alex Dickerson and Reno’s Peter O’Brien as outfielders. Reno’s Jamie Romak was voted as the designated hitter. Iowa right-handed pitcher Carlos Pimentel and New Orleans left-handed pitcher Adam Conley were selected as starting pitchers. Jon Edwards, of El Paso/Round Rock, was picked as the top relief pitcher.

Barnes, 25, has established himself as one of the top catchers in the PCL this season. The Riverside, Calif., native played as the starting catcher for the PCL squad in the 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game in July. He is batting a team-leading .315 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and 40 runs scored. He has drawn 35 walks and struck out 36 times and his .389 on-base percentage leads OKC. He ranks sixth in the league with a 27.4 caught-stealing percentage.

Barnes is in his first year in the Dodgers organization after being acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins in December. He made his Major League debut May 24 and played in five games with the Los Angeles Dodgers before rejoining Oklahoma City in early June.  He was recalled again in July and appeared in four more games with Los Angeles before returning again to Oklahoma City. Overall with Los Angeles this season, Barnes has hit .267 over nine games.

He is the first Oklahoma City player to make the All-PCL team since LHP Michael Kirkman in 2010. Barnes is the ninth overall Oklahoma City team member to make the All-PCL team since Oklahoma City joined the league in 1998.