After 11 professional seasons, right-hander Aaron Barrett announced (via Twitter) that he is retiring from baseball. The 34-year-old said he’ll pitch in his final game on Monday, July 4, as a member of the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate.
Barrett began his pro career when the Nationals selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 draft, though Barrett had also been taken (but didn’t sign) in the 2006, 2008, and 2009 drafts by the Dodgers, Twins, and Rangers, respectively. This began a run in the Washington that lasted until Barrett inked a minor league deal with the Phillies this past winter, and Barrett’s final season has been a struggle, with a 13.86 ERA over 12 1/3 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
As Barrett put it in his goodbye message, “I went into this year thinking this could be my last run. I gave it EVERYTHING I had. It didn’t go the way I thought it could. That’s life! It’s time for me to start the next chapter of my life.”
Barrett appeared in parts of four MLB seasons, with most of that work coming in the 2014-15 seasons when he posted a 3.47 ERA over 70 innings and 90 relief appearances. The rest of his big league resume consists of four total innings across the 2019-20 campaigns. The gap in between those Major League stints perhaps defines Barrett’s character, as his promising was sidetracked by both a Tommy John surgery, and then a fractured humerus bone.
The latter injury was particularly devastating, as Barrett broke his arm in horrific fashion while pitching, and extensive surgery was required. However, Barrett’s long road back eventually led him to once again pitch in the majors — fans may recall the viral video of Double-A manager Matt LeCroy fighting back tears while telling Barrett that he had been promoted back to the Nationals’ active roster. While Barrett only tossed 2 1/3 innings for the 2019 Nationals, he was still part of a World Series championship team.
We at MLB Trade Rumors congratulate Barrett on his career, and we wish him the best in his post-playing endeavors.
Not to be that guy, but does a RP with a ~2.5 WHIP really get to say “I want to pitch this specific game”?
A 34 year old in AAA probably does. Why not? That inning doesn’t matter.
Just as long as he makes an appearance in the game, he keeps his word.
I read every word of the article twice and have no idea what you’re talking about
“The 34-year-old said he’ll pitch in his final game on Monday, July 4, as a member of the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate.”
What indication is there that he scheduled his own start? None that I can see. Most likely he was told he was pitching that game.
Most likely? C’mon Fink. The guy is carrying a 13 ERA. I’m sure the team didn’t say, “Hey Barrett, you’re scheduled to pitch on Monday.” Clearly, he knows he is cooked, and told the team, I’m done. Class move for them to let him take the bump one more time, rather than just cutting him loose. Sometimes, stats ain’t everything. He’s been through a lot as a player, and while he isn’t exactly a household name, he gave it all he had, and he deserves to walk off, chin up.
What do you mean “C’mon”? You’re saying the team told him he’s pitching, no? Which is what I said (although I misspoke by calling it a “start” instead of an “outing”). Or do I misunderstand you and you actually agree with DarkSide830 that Barrett told his manager “I want to pitch this specific game”?
Neither you nor I knows what was said, but I imagine he was offered the chance to pitch one last inning and he accepted the offer.
Correction: Neither you nor I “know” what was said.
Something to consider is that players pay attention to choices an organization makes, and it can have an impact on desirability to stay with or join that organization down the road.
It’s a unique type of workplace, but it’s a workplace, and they’re a unique type of employee, but they’re employees.
Forced retirement
I remember that video of him getting the call back to the bigs. Definitely a tear jerker. To put in the effort to make it back from a potential career ending injury, hard to not be an Aaron Barrett fan. Hat tip to that young man.
Who?
Aaron….we hardly knew ya. Actually I should have said…. “Aaron, I never heard of ya”. No joke, he made the show, most never get close. All the best in future endeavors.
He was good before he got hurt.
Best of luck to Bear. Nats fans will always have a soft spot for him. His winning the stare down with Aaron Harang where neither would leave the field after the National Anthem, was a gem.
Anybody who makes a roster to play major league baseball has accomplished something. To play pro ball on any level for 11 years is something else again. And he banked a million and a half doing what he loved. Good for him.
Aaron Barrett, something like baseball is hard to leave but something tells me that you ‘re going to do just fine. Kick ass out there, brother.
Best wishes in your next chapter in life, Aaron.