The Kansas City Royals have made a surprising move by re-signing veteran right-handed reliever Scott Barlow to a minor league deal. Barlow, who made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2018, is known for his impressive performance as a closer during his peak years with the team. However, his recent struggles with the Oakland Athletics have raised concerns about his effectiveness.
Barlow's home/road splits are particularly striking. He has a 12.64 ERA in 15 2/3 innings at the A's home parks, with opponents hitting six home runs. In contrast, he has a 1.02 ERA in 17 2/3 innings on the road. This drastic difference suggests that the Royals are likely aware of the potential issues with his performance at home.
One possible explanation for Barlow's struggles is his high walk rate, which has increased to 12.5% this year. This could be a result of his attempt to avoid home runs in the A's launching pads. Interestingly, Barlow's strikeout rate is at a career-low, but his swinging-strike rate is significantly higher than the league average, indicating that he is still getting batters out, albeit in a different manner.
The Royals' bullpen has been a major weakness this season, with a collective 5.40 ERA, the worst in the American League. Their high-priced closer, Carlos Estevez, has been on the injured list since March, and setup man Lucas Erceg has struggled, blowing six opportunities and posting a 5.23 ERA. The team's overall poor performance has led to a 35-52 record, just one game ahead of the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies.
Despite the team's struggles, the Royals see potential in Barlow. His ability to strike out batters and his experience as a closer make him a valuable addition to the team. With the season nearing its end, the Royals are hoping that Barlow can provide a steadying presence and potentially help them avoid a last-place finish. If he performs well over the next 32 days, he might even be tradeable for a small return, which could be a significant boost for the team's morale and future prospects.
