Dodgers News: OKC’s Austin Barnes Named To 2015 All-PCL Team
If there is one aspect the Los Angeles Dodgers front office can taken pride in, it’s their success in restocking the farm system with plenty of talent. Included in the pool of impressive players is Triple-A Oklahoma City catcher Austin Barnes, who was named to the 2015 All-Pacific Coast League team
Barnes becomes the first player from the Oklahoma City organization to make the All-PCL team since Michael Kirkman in 2010. The 25-year-old Barnes was acquired in the Dodgers’ seven-player trade with the Miami Marlins that sent Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to South Florida. On the season, Barnes is batting .315/.389/.479, with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 81 games.
The Riverside, Calif., native leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage. Barnes has also drawn 35 walks and struck out 36 times. As for his defensive prowess, he has a 27.4 caught-stealing percentage, which ranks sixth in the league.
Barnes made his Major League debut May 24 and appeared in five games, making one start. He was again promoted from Triple-A in July when A.J. Ellis was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Barnes started three of four games played before being optioned back to OKC.
In the nine games with the Dodgers, Barnes has four hits, including one double, four strikeouts and two walks in 18 plate appearances. He presumably will be one of the call-ups at some point in September when active rosters are permitted to expand.
The OKC Dodgers hold a four-game lead in their division entering play Monday and have nine games remaining on their regular season schedule.