Former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has officially signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, as confirmed by Fansided’s Jeff Young. After spending 11 seasons with the Dodgers, Barnes was designated for assignment and subsequently released on May 14 due to a decline in performance and the emergence of younger talent.
During his time with Los Angeles, Barnes established himself as a significant player, contributing to four National League pennants and two World Series championships. Specifically, he became a key player during the 2020 season, showcasing impressive performance in the postseason with a .390 batting average over 29 at-bats.
Currently, Barnes is with the Arizona Complex League team to regain his form before likely moving on to Triple-A Sacramento. This transition follows a tough season where his batting average was just .214 with a low OPS of .518 in 13 games for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ decision to part ways with Barnes came as they promoted top prospect Dalton Rushing and recognized the standout performance of catcher Will Smith, who leads the National League in both batting average and on-base percentage.
As Barnes joins the Giants, a historic rival of the Dodgers, he leaves a legacy filled with cherished moments and accomplishments that will be remembered by Dodgers fans. His transition could also provide him an opportunity for a fresh start in the competitive environment of the Giants organization.
As Barnes embarks on this new chapter, there remains a sense of hope and potential for him to find success with San Francisco, potentially revitalizing his career in the process.