The Rangers announced they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Joe Barlow. Fellow righty Brett de Geus has been designated for assignment to create 40-man roster space. Texas also recalled Wes Benjamin and optioned Demarcus Evans.
It’s a bullpen shuffle that’ll result in Barlow getting his first major league opportunity. An 11th-round pick out of Salt Lake Community College in 2016, Barlow has worked exclusively in relief throughout his pro career. Across parts of five minor league seasons, he’s pitched to a 2.64 ERA. Barlow’s missed bats in droves, striking out 34.2% of batters faced in the minors, but he’s also shown significant control issues. The 25-year-old has dished out free passes to 15.4% of opponents in his career.
To his credit, Barlow has walked a career-low 10.1% of hitters in 21 frames at Triple-A Round Rock this year. That’s right in line with the MLB average for relievers (exactly 10%), so the Rangers will give him an opportunity to try to carry over that passable strike-throwing against big league hitters. Barlow has continued to keep batters off balance as he’s climbed to the minors’ highest level, striking out 36.7% of opponents this season while managing a 2.57 ERA.
The Rangers selected de Geus from the Dodgers organization in last winter’s Rule 5 draft, meaning he needed to stick in the majors all season if the Rangers wanted to retain his contractual rights long-term. He made the Opening Day roster and has gotten a pretty long leash this year, tossing 26 2/3 innings across 19 appearances. de Geus has given up an 8.44 ERA with mediocre strikeout and walk numbers (20.5% and 10.2%, respectively), although he’s kept the ball on the ground at a fantastic 55.6% clip and managed a decent 4.00 SIERA. Nevertheless, the Rangers decided to remove him from the roster. He’ll be placed on waivers; if he clears, he’ll need to be offered back to the Dodgers, who won’t need to keep him on the 40-man roster.
Good move. A Rule 5 guy gone for a guy that a lot of writers for the Rangers were surprised didn’t get selected by another team. Interested to see how Barlow does.
I hope the Dodgers take de Gues and send him to the upper minors.
We can use bullpen depth at any level.
Being he was drafted by the dodgers and lost in the rule 5 draft probably should happen.. because of injury and the lost rona minor league season he only pitched 2 years before being lost in the draft
Rangers Select Lou Barlow, designate J Mascis, sign Murph to an extension.
Who else other than Badoo and Whitlock remain from this years rule 5 draft?
Trevor Stephan on the indians
well for starter Ka’ai Tom ( drafted by Oakland from Cleveland) is in majors w/ Pirates added as wavier claim about month ago or 6 weeks ago. Also Luis Oviedo (drafted by Mets – traded to Pirates) and still on major league IL is Jose Soriano ( 1st rule V player drafted last yr by Pirates)
wonder if de geus is in store for de pirates pen?
So de Geus is loose?
One of the better puns I’ve seen here
Brett de Geus! Brett de Geus! Brett de Geus!
Any relation to Kissin’ Kate?
Start diggin’ Trout.
De Geus has some solid potential. Hope Texas tried to swing a trade or something. Get him in the minors and tweak a few things.