MLB Pipeline rated Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes the No. 8 prospect at his position heading into the 2017 season. Barnes was also ranked eighth by the publication last year, and the ninth-best catching prospect in 2015.
An injury to Yasmani Grandal resulted in Barnes making the Dodgers roster for Opening Day of the 2016 season. He appeared in five games, going 2-for-15 with six strikeouts, before getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In 85 games with OKC, Barnes batted .295/.380/.443 with 22 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 39 RBI in 85 games with Oklahoma City.