Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Postseason News: Austin Barnes will be Back, Ríos and Garlick Will Not be Recalled

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that two members of the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster, right-handed hitting outfielder Kyle Garlick and corner infielder Edwin Ríos, will not be receiving promotions as September roster additions, according to Alanna Rizzo of Sports Net LA.

This is a very odd development considering the amount of remaining space the Dodgers maintain on the active roster, but Dave Roberts provided a reason with substance on Tuesday night:

Austin Barnes will also be returning to the Dodgers. Brace yourselves.

Most teams see their active roster numbers rise into the thirties in terms of players in September, but the Dodgers plan to take a different approach this season than expected.

Barnes, 29, struggled all season long with the Dodgers, posting just a 64 wRC+ across 71 games. He figures to be the Dodgers’ third string catcher down the stretch and could vie for the backup role in the playoffs. He has struggled, but he knows the pitching staff as well as anyone and it is not like veteran Russell Martin is setting the world on fire with his stick.

Garlick, 27, revitalized his career with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2019 and was more than deserving of a September call-up, regardless of the playing time the Dodgers could afford him. For Oklahoma City, Garlick was one of the best hitters in the Pacific Coast League, mashing a .314/.382/.675 line, 145 wRC+, and 23 home runs in 81 games.

Ríos, the 25-year-old corner infielder consistently ranked amongst the Dodgers top-15 prospects the past few seasons, was excellent in limited time at the big league level. He smashed a .286/.419/.571 slash line across 17 games with the Dodgers as the season comes to a close for him. He also hit 31 home runs and drove in 91 runs in 104 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Daniel Preciado

My name is Daniel Preciado and I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore Sport Analytics major and Cognitive Science and Economics dual minor at Syracuse University. When I am not in New York, I live in Whittier, California --- not too far from Chavez Ravine. I am pretty old-school for being an analytics guy and I will always embrace debate. Also, Chase Utley did absolutely nothing wrong.

15 Comments

  1. Can the Dodgers just DFA(designate for assignment) automatic-out Barnes please! The guy can’t hit and he is Not that good of a catcher(framing or otherwise).

  2. I figured they were going to use 3 catchers for the postseason roster, you kind of have to just in case one gets hurt, Barnes is solid behind the plate, but his offense is lacking but has picked it up in AAA, not suprised about Garlick and Ríos. Ríos has a lot to work come this off season, if he wants to break in to the major league level.

    1. He may have picked it up in AAA but for 2 years now he’s shown he can’t hit major league pitching. I get why they’re calling him up, but he shouldn’t play other than in an emergency or a blowout.

  3. What is the reason Garlick cannot be on the post season roster, at least as an extra? This is the garbage Roberts pulls time and time again that makes me believe he is not the guy for this team. Garlick has done everything they have asked and has succeeded each call up!! No excuse for this snub job. Roberts plays favorites and Austin should be left off if anything.

    1. So, who do you leave off the 25 man PS roster to make room for him? It would have to be an outfielder-only guy as that is all Garlick plays, and, if not mistaken, he mainly plays LF. So, Joc or Verdugo or Pollack? These are the guys who only play OF.

      1. David, not only that but I kind of doubt that Lux will be on PS roster if for no other reason than a numbers crunch. Guys like Muncy, who is currently injured have been here all year. There are only 25 for the PS roster and room for Lux just may not be there, nothing against him at all.

    2. Dave Roberts does not dictate who is added to the roster. That is the front office. Smith has slowed down at the plate and the SP has not done great with him behind the plate. There is a lot more to catching than just hitting.

      Dave Roberts, who has only finished in 1st place every season he has managed and the only manager in MLB that has been to the last two World Series, is not right for the job?

  4. I disagree with your comment regarding Russell Martin. He is a great catcher and in case you haven’t noticed, he has been doing some slugging out there.

  5. This isn’t about the playoffs, it’s about September call-ups. Garlick made contributions that led to Dodger victories during the season, but I guess it’s about protecting Andrew Friedman and is stupid trade for Gyko who was not needed.

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