Kansas City Royals add another pitcher from the Rangers. He’s got a tough slider
The Kansas City Royals claimed pitcher Joe Barlow from the Texas Rangers on Friday. Barlow, 27, posted a 4.66 ERA in 13 MLB appearances this season.
Barlow, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday, was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. The Royals now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
The Royals continue to add pitching depth. Barlow follows Cole Ragans, who was acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, in joining the Royals organization from the Rangers. Ragans has made two strong starts to begin his Kansas City tenure.
The Royals also received pitching prospects back in the Scott Barlow trade, and they added lefty Tucker Davidson from the Angels before the deadline.
Joe Barlow features a three-pitch arsenal: four-seam fastball, slider and curveball.
He utilizes the slider to limit opponents at the plate. The slider has registered a 32.7% whiff percentage and a .230 expected batting average, per Statcast.
In his career, Barlow owns a 20.3% strikeout percentage. Opponents are hitting .195 against him across 73 2/3 innings pitched in the majors.
Barlow has 25 strikeouts in Triple-A this season. He allowed 13 runs and 10 walks as a reliever in the Rangers organization in 2023 (25 2/3 innings pitched).
Barlow was selected in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He spent his entire career with the Rangers and made his MLB debut in 2021.
