Austin Barnes Bio
Austin Scott Barnes is an American professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. He has spent most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping that franchise win the World Series in both 2020 and 2024. Born in Riverside, California, Barnes played college baseball at Arizona State University before being drafted by the Florida Marlins organization in 2011. He has also represented the Mexico national baseball team on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
Austin Scott Barnes was born on December 28, 1989, in Riverside, California. He is the oldest of four children born to Dennis and Stephanie Barnes, and was raised in a bilingual household with Mexican-American roots on his mother’s side, although he grew up speaking only English. His maternal uncle, Mike Gallego, played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, giving Barnes an early connection to the professional game. He began playing baseball at a young age and developed a reputation as a strong fielder.
As a shortstop in Little League Baseball, Barnes earned the nickname “Hoover” for his ability to vacuum up ground balls. He attended Riverside Polytechnic High School, where he played on the same baseball team as future Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick. Barnes earned four varsity letters and served as team captain during his senior season. He posted a .450 batting average as a junior in 2007 and raised that mark to .478 as a senior, while also playing travel ball and summer league competition.
Path to Professional Baseball
After graduating from Riverside Poly, Barnes enrolled at Arizona State University to play college baseball for the Sun Devils. He saw limited action as a freshman, appearing in 20 games as a catcher and second baseman while posting a .412 average in just 17 at-bats. His career changed course during his sophomore year, when injuries to catchers Xorge Carrillo and Andrew Pollak created an opening behind the plate. Barnes took to the position quickly, throwing out 19 of the first 24 baserunners who attempted to steal against him.
Barnes spent his 2010 summer with the St. Cloud River Bats of the Northwoods League, then returned to Arizona State and chose to stay at catcher despite an opportunity to return to the infield. As a junior, he hit .320 with a .994 fielding percentage and was named to the All-Pac-10 First Team. His strong college performance led to his selection by the Miami Marlins in the 2011 MLB draft, launching his professional career.
Austin Barnes Career
Minor League Development (2011-2014)
The Miami Marlins selected Barnes in the 2011 MLB draft, and he made his professional debut that year with the Low-A Jamestown Jammers of the New York-Penn League. He quickly established himself as a passionate catcher and a strong batter. From 2012 through 2014, Barnes moved through the Marlins system, playing for the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, High-A Jupiter Hammerheads, and Double-A Jacksonville Suns. During this period he split his time between catcher and second base, refining his defensive skills and his approach at the plate.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2015-2025)
On December 10, 2014, Barnes was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a multi-player deal that sent Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, and Miguel Rojas to Miami. He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers before receiving his first big-league call-up on May 23, 2015, when Yasmani Grandal went on the disabled list. Barnes made his MLB debut on May 24, 2015, recording a single to center field off Dale Thayer of the San Diego Padres for his first hit. He split his first season between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, finishing the year as a Pacific Coast League All-Star.
Barnes gradually expanded his role with the Dodgers over the following seasons. In 2016, he appeared in 21 big-league games before making the Opening Day roster as the backup catcher in 2017. That year, he delivered a career-high seven RBIs against the San Diego Padres on June 30, then moved into a platoon role before taking over as the starting catcher in the postseason. He helped the Dodgers reach the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros. In 2018, Barnes ranked among MLB’s elite framers and posted a .993 fielding percentage while serving as Grandal’s backup. He became the Opening Day starter in 2019 before Will Smith eventually took over the everyday catching duties.
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Barnes appeared in 29 games and contributed a memorable Game 3 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting a home run and driving in a run with a safety squeeze. He became only the second player in World Series history to accomplish both feats in the same game, joining Héctor López from 1961. The Dodgers captured the title in six games, with Barnes catching the final out from Julio Urías. He signed a two-year, $4.3 million contract in February 2021 and continued to serve as a reliable backup to Will Smith.
On July 3, 2022, Barnes and the Dodgers agreed to a two-year, $7 million contract extension, and the club later picked up his $3.25 million option for 2025. He added a second World Series ring in 2024, though he made only one postseason appearance that year as a defensive replacement in the NLCS. In 2025, Barnes appeared in 13 games for the Dodgers before being designated for assignment on May 14 and released on May 20.
San Francisco Giants (2025)
On June 29, 2025, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He split time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, going 8-for-39 with two RBI in 13 appearances. The Giants organization released him on August 1.
New York Mets (2026)
On January 29, 2026, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in search of another opportunity. He was released on March 25 after failing to make the team’s Opening Day roster.
International Play
Barnes has also represented Mexico in international competition, suiting up for the Mexico national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic held in Miami.
Austin Barnes Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Barnes is the nephew of former MLB infielder Mike Gallego, who played for the Oakland Athletics. His younger brother, Griffin Barnes, played catcher at Grand Canyon University and signed with the Los Angeles Angels, continuing the family’s connection to professional baseball.
Personal Life
Barnes married Nicole Breanna Rappaport in 2018, and the couple resides in Glendale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium. They have one son. While his childhood nickname was “Hoover,” Barnes is now commonly called “Barnsey,” and he also picked up the nickname “Sam” from former Dodgers teammate Chase Utley.
2025 Season Performance
Austin Barnes entered 2025 as the backup catcher behind Will Smith on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster. He appeared in 13 games during the early part of the season, batting .214 with a .233 on-base percentage and two RBI before the team designated him for assignment on May 14. The Dodgers released him on May 20, ending his long tenure in Los Angeles.
Looking for a fresh start, Barnes signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on June 29. He played 13 games across the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .205 with two RBI before being released on August 1. Although his 2025 season was a difficult one, Barnes remained focused on continuing his professional career.
