Matt Barnes Thread

[SoxFanForsyth]

So there is a Middlebrooks thread, a Bogaerts thread, and a Jackie Bradley Jr thread.

 

I think it's about time we make a Matt Barnes thread. This kid looks like he's the real deal.

 

So far this season (game going on right now) 71.2 IP, 7 ER, 94 K's, 12 BB's.

 

That would be a 0.89 ERA, 11.8 K/9, 1.50 BB/9, 7.83 K:BB.

 

Shouldn't be much longer until he's promoted to Portland. It wouldn't surprise me if he started 2013 in Pawtucket, and potentially was called up as a late season spot starter toward the end of next season if his stuff continues to dominate.

[Station 13]

He's starting for Salem right now. You can listen here

http://media4.aicmail.net:8080/MiLB/GameAudio/LiveStreamFlash/car_salem_red_sox

 

He has 9Ks through 5.

[SoxSignatures]

I'm betting he pitches a few games in Portland at the end of this year, starts next year in Portland, is called up to Pawtucket earlier in the year, then makes a spot start in Boston near the end of the year. This of course all assuming he keeps pitching well at each level. The Sox haven't really rushed a pitcher to the majors at all since Craig Hansen, and I think they learned their lesson on that one. My best guess is Barnes makes his MLB debut next August/September, and is in the starting rotation for good starting the beginning of the 2014 season at age 24.

[a700hitter]

I'm betting he pitches a few games in Portland at the end of this year' date=' starts next year in Portland, is called up to Pawtucket earlier in the year, then makes a spot start in Boston near the end of the year. This of course all assuming he keeps pitching well at each level. The Sox haven't really rushed a pitcher to the majors at all since Craig Hansen, and I think they learned their lesson on that one. My best guess is Barnes makes his MLB debut next August/September, and is in the starting rotation for good starting the beginning of the 2014 season at age 24.[/quote']I don't think that is an overly aggressive timeline. If he is the real deal, I think he will be in the 2014 rotation. Age 24 is not rushing him.

[Station 13]

No. 2 MATT BARNES, RHP

RED SOX

Team: high Class A Salem (Carolina)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: 2-0, 0.75, 2 GS, 12 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 14 SO

The Scoop: Like a kid on Christmas afternoon, the Red Sox have opened their presents from the 2011 draft and had time to reflect on them. In Barnes, the 19th overall pick, they must feel like they've gotten more than they had even hoped for during the righthander's full-season debut. In fact, it's fair to say that a year later, he'd go much higher in a draft do-over. Barnes' fastball has sat consistently between 93-95 mph, but he's also shown the Verlander-esque ability to produce more velocity as the game goes on. He often will show a 95-98 mph fastball in his final innings. Barnes' changeup and curveball have both been solid, but it's been the fastball that has just blown away hitters outing after outing.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2012/2613557.html

[Dojji]

22 in Salem. Good reason not to be all that impressed, right there. He's got good stuff, but he's pitching against mostly younger prospects. he needs to be promoted soon, at least to be on the ideal trajectory.

[SoxFanForsyth]

22 in Salem. Good reason not to be all that impressed' date=' right there. He's got good stuff, but he's pitching against mostly younger prospects. he needs to be promoted soon, at least to be on the ideal trajectory.[/quote']

 

Still, though. 95 K's, 12 BB's in 72.2 IP. That's pretty ridiculous, I don't care who you are.

[Station 13]

Barnes is at where he was supposed to start his proball. He also leads the minors in ERA which is impressive regardless of where he been place.

[example1]

Still' date=' though. 95 K's, 12 BB's in 72.2 IP. That's pretty ridiculous, I don't care who you are.[/quote']

 

This would be a perfect opportunity for Dojji to actually get excited about a prospect. Instead he arrives at the party with a wet blanket.

 

Yes, we shouldn't crown Barnes the second coming of Pedro Martinez, but regardless of age he's putting up one of the more memorable minor league pitching lines in recent Sox history, and they tend to promote players pretty well IMO.

[a700hitter]

This would be a perfect opportunity for Dojji to actually get excited about a prospect. Instead he arrives at the party with a wet blanket.

 

Yes, we shouldn't crown Barnes the second coming of Pedro Martinez, but regardless of age he's putting up one of the more memorable minor league pitching lines in recent Sox history, and they tend to promote players pretty well IMO.

But he is right this time. 22 is not a babe in the woods. If he's the real deal he should be dominating at the AA level, maybe he will soon.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's gotta be in AA. There isnt even a question.

[Palodios]

As soon as the Red Sox become sellers, and it is clear that they won't be trading their top chips for players at the trade deadline, he'll be promoted.

[Station 13]

Bradley just promoted to AA. Barnes can't be far behind.

[jacksonianmarch]

Barnes got lit for the first time his last start, 5ER, 7 baserunners in 3.2IP. We'll see how he bounces back tonight

[SemperFi Sox]

He was going to struggle at some point, the biggest thing is to see how he performs after a bad outing.

[SemperFi Sox]

Ouch, already allowed 3 runs in the 1st inning tonight.

[Station 13]

Ouch' date=' already allowed 3 runs in the 1st inning tonight.[/quote']

 

Bad luck inning. Groundball hit to Bogaerts (late on the throw), and bunt ground ball to 1B (nobody covered), and another groundball Bogaerts can't get to.

[Station 13]

Barnes is taken out the game, I missed it since I am watching Bauer debut.

[Station 13]

Barnes was removed because of the 30+ pitches in his inning and he waited over 40 minutes as Salem pound away in the bottom half. From the 16-14 score, it was the right move to remove him from that abortion.

[SemperFi Sox]

I'm sure the Red Sox want to see him struggle. This is part of the process.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's hit a rough patch. 4.2IP 10H 8ER 3BB 3K in his last 2 starts. I think the promotion idea just went ouf the window for the time being. We'll see if he can right the ship in short order

[SemperFi Sox]

I think he's gassed, not surprising given the work load he's gotten coming out of UConn.

[Station 13]

Barnes is pitching Sunday at the futures game.

[jacksonianmarch]

3.2IP, 6H, 6ER on July 3rd. Might be time to phantom DL him and get his arm back in working condition

[a700hitter]

If this kid and Renaudo don't make it, I think we will be able to conclude that the only thing Theo knows about pitching is that he can't hit it. I am paraphrasing Bob Gibson who said something similar to Tim McCarver when he visited the mound.

[SemperFi Sox]

Barnes is light years ahead of Ranaudo.

[Station 13]

Barnes is nearing inning limits. The Red Sox usually capped prospects around 110 innings in their pro ball season debut. He's already over 80.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Barnes bounced back nicely last night. 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 2 BB.

 

He's got a 3.34 ERA, 9.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 in High A Salem over 12 starts. He is at 86 innings. I hope they get him up to Portland by the end of this year so he can be in Pawtucket by the middle of next year, and potentially a September call up in 2013, rotation by 2014.

[a700hitter]

Barnes bounced back nicely last night. 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 2 BB.

 

He's got a 3.34 ERA, 9.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 in High A Salem over 12 starts. He is at 86 innings. I hope they get him up to Portland by the end of this year so he can be in Pawtucket by the middle of next year, and potentially a September call up in 2013, rotation by 2014.

When he gets to and starts lighting up AA, we can start to get excited. Otherwise, at age 22, he is looking like a prospect to pump up hype-wise and then dump in a trade for an established player.

[Rdsxmbnt]

When he gets to and starts lighting up AA' date=' we can start to get excited. Otherwise, at age 22, he is looking like a prospect to pump up hype-wise and then dump in a trade for an established player.[/quote']

 

For someone who is all about pitching this seems like a surprising side to take. It is very hard to pick up arms like his in the draft unless you are picking in the top half so the fact that the Red Sox grabbed a SP with command of an upper-90's FB is pretty rare. Definitely someone to hold onto IMO.