Former Dodgers Prospect Becomes a Free Agent Following DFA

The Cleveland Guardians released former Dodgers prospect and Kansas City Royals closer Scott Barlow from their organization on Wednesday. Three days prior, the Guardians designated Barlow along with left-handed pitcher Anthony Gose for assignment.

Barlow has reached six seasons of MLB service time, which allowed him to become a free agent. The Guardians are still responsible for the final weeks of Barlow’s 2024 salary. Barlow has the option to sign with another franchise for the remaining weeks of the regular season, but he will not be eligible to play in the postseason. His other option is to wait for the upcoming offseason to pursue other avenues.

The reliever made 63 appearances with the Guardians before being released. Barlow logged a 4.25 ERA, along with 68 strikeouts and 31 walks. His last two games with the Guardians were against his former teams, the Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.

The Dodgers drafted Barlow, who will turn 32 in December, as the No. 194 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB draft. Los Angeles drafted the then-19-year-old out of Santa Clarita High School in California.

Barlow never appeared in a major league game with the Dodgers. He spent six seasons in the Los Angeles farm system, reaching as high as Triple-A Oklahoma City. Barlow made one Triple-A appearance in 2015 and seven in 2017.

In 2017, the Royals signed Barlow to a major league contract. With the Royals, Barlow made his MLB debut on April 30, 2018. He made six brief appearances out of Kansas City’s bullpen. On July 15, 2019, the Royals recalled Barlow. He remained part of the active roster from then until last season’s trade deadline.

In August last year, the Royals traded Barlow to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitchers Henry Williams and Jesus Rios. Shortly after the 2023 season, the Padres traded Barlow to the Guardians, where he has spent for the majority of this season.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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