The original Dodgers’ starting lineup Thursday had Austin Barnes catching Clayton Kershaw in what would have been Kershaw’s franchise record-extending ninth time pitching on Opening Day. Instead, Kershaw was scratched for back stiffness and placed on the injured list.
I still found it odd that Barnes would get the start behind the plate in lieu of Will Smith and only could infer one thing: Barnes will likely be Kershaw’s personal catcher this season. Once Kershaw returns from his injury, we’ll hopefully get confirmation either way.
Dave Roberts tells Joe & Orel in this episode the following:
•Austin Barnes will start tonight
•Will Smith will catch 3 of first 5 games
•Kiké Hernandez will start tonight at 2B
•Joc Pederson will start tonight in LF
•A.J. Pollock will serve as the DH https://t.co/UxhBZJc7o5— Dodgers-LowDown (@DodgersLowDown) July 23, 2020
Smith has already proven he’s the superior batsman, hitting .253 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI and an OPS of .907 in an abbreviated 2019 rookie campaign. The damage he did last season nearly totaled Barnes’ career home runs (17) and drove in a little more than half of Barnes’ career RBI total (80). Keep in mind, Barnes has been in the league since 2015.
Now that we’ve disparaged Barnes’ hitting ability, let’s praise him for his skills as a catcher and his connection to handling Kershaw.
The battery of Kershaw and Barnes has had really good success in the regular season. Barnes has caught Kershaw 32 times (fourth-most in Kershaw’s career), and in 192.2 innings, Kershaw recorded a 2.85 ERA, 203 K, 36 BB, 5.64 K/BB ratio, an opponent batting average of .207 and given up 30 HR.
Although it’s a small sample size (12 games), Kershaw has done well with Smith behind the plate, but not as good as with Barnes. In 61.1 innings, Kershaw compiled a 3.23 ERA, 65 K, 22 BB, 2.95 K/BB, opponent BA .237, and surrendered 11 HR.
https://twitter.com/MLBStats/status/1286402473813516291
Roberts hasn’t officially said whether or not Barnes will be Kershaw’s personal catcher throughout the season, but given the breakdown I provided, I don’t see any other conclusion to come to.
It’s not like Barnes has had success at the plates against the Giants in the past. He has a lifetime batting average of .173, 3 HR and 11 RBI vs. San Francisco. He’s also 1 for 3, with 2 Ks and an RBI in his career vs. Johnny Cueto, the Giants Opening Day starter.
So the argument for Barnes to become Kershaw’s personal 2020 catcher is a strong one given Kershaw’s success over a nice sample size of data. I don’t know if the two have the same relationship that Kershaw had (and still has) with A.J. Ellis, but if it’s anywhere close to that I’ll take it.
If you’ve read this far, you may be interested to know Kershaw’s stat line working with A.J. Ellis because it’s insane: 118 games, 829 innings, 1.97 ERA, 920 K, 174 BB, 5.29 K/BB, opponent BA .195, 46 HR. Not to mention Ellis caught Kershaw’s no-hitter in 2014 and was behind the plate for the seasons Kershaw won his three Cy Young Awards and MVP honor.
If you’re still reading, here’s the rest of the backstops who caught Kershaw over his 12-year career: Russell Martin, Yasmani Grandal, Rod Barajas, Dioner Navarro, Brad Ausmus, Danny Ardoin, Drew Butera, Tim Federowicz, Ramon Hernandez and Matt Treanor.
Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America 2018
Stats provided by Baseball Reference and Rotowire.
Jake Reiner covers the Dodgers for Dodgers-LowDown and is a reporter for KCBS/KCAL. Follow him on twitter @Reiner_Jake