Austin Barnes has not started a minor league game since 2016. Or at least that was the case until his end-of-July demotion sent him packing. Now, as the main catcher for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, Barnes has started in three games in a row for what is one of the deepest minor league teams in all of baseball.
And in his third game, Barnesy broke out.
The 29-year-old had an all-around “Show Me” game, going 2-4 with a solo home run, a single, two runs scored and a stolen base to boot. Yes, he did strike out as well, but who doesn’t?