Scott Barlow’s latest run with the Royals didn’t last long. The former Kansas City closer, who returned on a minor league deal in early July after the Athletics let him go, has been released, according to the MiLB.com transaction log.
It’s been a strange year for the 33-year-old, and the split in his numbers tells the story. His stint with Oakland was rough almost entirely at the club’s home settings, where he was hammered for 22 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings between West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park and a short stay at the A’s Triple-A facility in Summerlin.
He allowed six homers in those outings. Away from home, though, Barlow gave up just two runs over 17 2/3 innings.
That looked like the kind of profile that might get a fresh start somewhere else. Instead, his work for Omaha has been even shakier in some ways.
In 14 1/3 innings for the Storm Chasers, he has allowed nine earned runs and posted a 5.65 ERA. The bigger problem has been his control: 15 walks in 67 batters faced, a 22.4% walk rate, plus one hit batter and three wild pitches.
He’s also surrendered five home runs, which works out to 3.14 per nine innings.
The velocity drop is hard to ignore. Barlow’s sinker has averaged 92.1 mph in his career and his four-seamer 93.4 mph.
Last year with the Reds, those pitches sat at 92.5 mph and 92.2 mph. With the A’s, both were down to 89 mph.
In Omaha, they’ve been at 89.6 mph on the sinker and 88.1 mph on the four-seamer.
That’s a far cry from the version of Barlow the Royals leaned on during his peak in 2021-22. Over those two seasons, he logged 148 2/3 innings with a 2.30 ERA, a 28.2% strikeout rate, an 8.4% walk rate, 40 saves and 20 holds.
Since then, he’s settled in as more of a useful but wild setup option, putting up a 4.28 ERA and a 13% walk rate across 191 1/3 innings from 2023-25. This is the first season in which he hasn’t been able to hold a major league roster spot at all.
Even with the recent struggles, Barlow could still get another minor league opportunity. Another team may decide to take a shot before the Sept. 1 postseason eligibility deadline, especially since clubs in the race often stockpile veteran relievers this time of year.
But the drop in velocity and the command issues - both with strikes and with keeping the ball out over the plate - are obvious warning signs. If he doesn’t land quickly, the offseason could be his next chance to reset and work on getting some of that lost velocity back.
In Other News...
Royals May Regret Letting This Veteran Arm Get Away
Eli Morgans next stop is within the Yankees system, where the veteran right-hander has signed a minor league deal and will report to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. For Kansas City, it is another reminder of how quickly bullpen depth can disappear in late-season roster churn, especially when a pitcher with major league experience gets through the waiver process and reaches the open market.
Morgan elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Royals, and New York is bringing him in as extra pitching insurance with the postseason approaching. He has already been used in the majors several times this season, which is exactly the kind of practical experience contenders tend to value this time of year, and it leaves Kansas City wondering whether it let a useful arm slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Suddenly Have A New Infield Problem To Solve
Maikel Garcias latest setback gives the Royals another infield wrinkle to manage, and it comes at a time when they were already trying to keep the lineup and roster moving with as little disruption as possible. Garcia landed back on the Injured List after suffering a hamstring strain while rounding third base, a frustrating turn for a player the club had been counting on to provide stability around the infield.
Matthew Lugo was brought up from Omaha to fill Garcias roster spot, while the Royals also made a pitching shuffle by optioning Carlos Durn and recalling Jose Cuas. For a club trying to stay flexible, the moves make sense on paper, but Garcias absence leaves another question hanging over how Kansas City will piece together the infield in the near term. [Read more 🡒]
Jac Caglianone May Be Pricing Himself Into A Royals Decision
Jac Caglianones start to life in the majors has quickly turned the conversation from upside to timing, because the Royals may soon have to decide whether they want to buy out some of his future before the price climbs any higher. A recent look at his likely arbitration path and eventual free agency value suggests the club could be staring at a much bigger number down the road than the one it would face in a theoretical extension right now, which is exactly the kind of calculation front offices try to get ahead of when a young player looks like a cornerstone.
A fan survey built around those extension ranges shows how complicated the choice already is for a player this early in his career, with opinions stretching from cautious to aggressive depending on how much long-term faith people have in his bat. For the Royals, the appeal is obvious: if they believe Caglianone is the kind of player worth building around, the window to lock in a team-friendly agreement may not stay open for long. [Read more 🡒]