The Royals have signed right-handed pitcher Scott Barlow to a one-year Major League deal, according to MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand. Barlow has spent his entire career in the Dodgers organization, but was a minor league free agent. The 24-year old spent most of last year in AA Tulsa and had fantastic numbers with a 2.10 ERA with 124 strikeouts and 37 walks in 107 1⁄3 innings. However he struggled mightily in AAA for Oklahoma City, giving up 36 runs (26 earned) in 32 1⁄3 innings with 23 walks.
Scott Barlow's deal is a split contract worth $650K in the Majors and $225K in the Minors. 40-man roster now at 39.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) December 7, 2017
According to @_chris_mitchell and his KATOH system, Scott Barlow was the number one minor league free agent this year.https://t.co/pRSdWnYEXY pic.twitter.com/Ihgw3R5goR
— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) December 7, 2017
Now Scott Barlow's projection isn't exciting itself, but I do think the Royals are going a smart way if this represents picking up lotto tickets rather than mediocre veterans to fill out back of staff. pic.twitter.com/hkAEj3MiVE
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) December 7, 2017
Barlow was repeating AA, and saw his strikeout numbers take a big jump in 2017, so perhaps he is trending in the right direction. According to Dennis Schlossman at Think Blue Planning Committee, Barlow has been pegged by scouts as a middle reliever or back-of-the-rotation starter.
“Today, Barlow’s heater sits in the low 90s, but his out-pitch is a plus-slider which normally comes in between 78 and 82 MPH. He also throws a curve in the low 70s and changeup in the low 80s to compliment his off-speed arsenal.”
Barlow was originally a sixth-round pick by the Dodgers in 2011 out of Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, California. He had elbow soreness a year later, leading to Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2012 season.
With a Major League contract, Barlow will be added to the 40-man roster, giving them 38 players, enough room to still add a player or two next week or make a selection in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday.