Dodgers backup catcher will now be the primary one for his country in the World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic games are over one week away. A handful of big names for LA will be representing their country this spring; Mookie Betts and Will Smith will play for Team USA. Trayce Thompson will play for Team Great Britain, Freddie Freeman for Team Canada, Miguel Rojas for Team Venezuela, and Julio Urias and LA’s backup catcher Austin Barners will represent Team Mexico.
Barnes will see an increased role for Team Mexico after it was reported that Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk withdrew from the World Baseball Classic.
Krik was set to be the starting catcher for Team Mexico but had to withdraw due to the birth of his child coming any day now. Kirk and Team Mexico believe he will need more time to adjust to the team and the pitchers in the short amount of time they have before their first game. It is unfortunate the one-time All-Star won’t play on the big stage, but it’ll be great for Dodger fans to see their catcher get significant playing time.
Barnes is a formidable catcher who has been solid for the Boys in Blue when he’s behind the plate and in the batter’s box.
The 33-year-old slashed .212/.324/.380 with a .704 OPS, eight home runs in 62 games, and 212 plate appearances in 2022.
Barnes was born in Riverside, California, and was not raised speaking Spanish. However, his mother is Mexican American, and former MLB player and coach Mike Gallego is his uncle.
Dodger fans are excited to see the pitcher-catcher duo don the white, green, and red.
