Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — For a converted infielder, Austin Barnes has become quite the defensive catcher. Not only does AB call a mean game (just ask Clayton Kershaw), he also has a reputation for cleaning up a lot of potential problems for his pitching staff. And the numbers are starting to bear this out.
On Friday, analytics firm Sports Information Solutions put out its list of the game’s best pitch blockers of 2022. And wouldn’t you know it, Austin Barnes was #1 on the list, beating out every other catcher in the major leagues.
Pitch blocking is an often overlooked skill for a catcher. It gives your pitcher a sense of comfort on the mound, knowing that if he buries a pitch in the dirt, it’s not going to cost him 90 feet on the bags or even a run. And with the Dodgers’ lights-out staff, that is important.
Earlier in the year, the same firm had already named Barnes as the second best pitch-framer in the game, trailing only the the Yanks’ Jose Trevino in that stat. So, while Barnes’ offense is down this year, he remains a valuable part of the Dodgers’ plans. And, it will be hard to imagine a scenario where he doesn’t stay that way for a good while.
Well, done, AB!
