The San Diego Padres are acquiring right-handed reliever Scott Barlow from the Kansas City Royals, the teams announced. Here’s what you need to know:
- Right-handers Henry Williams and Jesus Rio will head to Kansas City in the deal. San Diego’s Brandon Dixon was designated for assignment.
- Barlow, 30, joined Kansas City in 2018 and will be a free agent after the 2024 season.
- This season with the Royals, he posted a 5.35 ERA — the highest ERA of his career — through 38 games.
- Barlow has a 3.39 career ERA with 361 strikeouts through 277 games.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Scouting report on Barlow
The Royals originally signed Barlow as a minor-league free agent in 2017 following six years in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor-league system. He debuted in the majors in 2018, transitioned to the bullpen and grew into one of the more underrated relievers in the American League.
He posted a 187 ERA+ in 2021 and 2022, which ranked ninth among relievers with at least 75 innings pitched. But he struggled out of the gate in 2023 and his walk numbers are up. At his best, he’s a tremendous late-inning reliever for a contender. But he has not always looked like his vintage self this season. — Dodd
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(Photo: Dan Hamilton / USA Today)
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