'Ultimate competitor' Barlow sees uptick in velo after busy offseason

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- New Reds veteran reliever Scott Barlow's lost velocity was rediscovered during a lot of offseason work.

Barlow was averaging around 95 mph on his four-seam fastball and 96 mph for his sinker as recently as 2021, before it gradually dipped. By ¡®24 with the Guardians, both pitches were averaging in the 91 mph range.

¡°Last year was the lowest it had ever been," Barlow said. "It was frustrating for sure, at least in my mind, because my body was feeling good, I¡¯m not hurt. But there were times you try to throw it as hard as you can and don¡¯t see the number you want.¡±

In 63 games last season, Barlow was 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, but he still averaged 11.1 strikeouts-per-nine innings, while being in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity from contact (86.2 mph), according to Statcast.

But over his final 13 games, Barlow posted an 8.49 ERA, while his walk rate increased. Although Cleveland was headed for the postseason and had baseball's best bullpen, it released the right-hander on Sept. 11.

Barlow, 32, returned to his offseason home in Kansas City and started working with two trainers to figure things out.

¡°Going into this offseason, I knew my weight was down," Barlow said. "I worked really hard in the weight room. I worked with another gentleman on the pitching side and cleaned up some things mechanically to make things more efficient. Those things worked hand in hand."

Barlow shortened his arm action and found his velocity trending upward again. A few days into Spring Training on Feb. 13, the Reds signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million contract that included a $6.5 million club option for 2026 ($1 million buyout).

During a Feb. 27 spring game vs. the Diamondbacks, Barlow's velocity showed 94 mph multiple times.

¡°Throwing bullpens in the offseason and seeing the results that you put in the work, you just gain that confidence and then some," Barlow said. "Hard work pays off. You know my previous thoughts were correct. It¡¯s an excellent feeling for sure.¡±

Barlow spent the first six seasons of his big league career with the Royals from 2018-23, and he had his best two seasons over 2021-22. Combined over 140 appearances in those years, Barlow had a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40 saves. Both seasons saw him pitch an identical 74 1/3 innings.

"An ultimate competitor, he¡¯s going to go out there and pound the zone, and he just wants to win," said Reds starter Brady Singer, who was Barlow's teammate with Kansas City for four seasons. "He¡¯ll always want to do whatever he can for the team. If you tell him to throw 162 games, he¡¯ll throw in 162 games. He¡¯ll take the ball every single time someone asks, and that is really cool to see in this day and age.¡±

Along with lefty Taylor Rogers, Barlow's experience as a closer provides back-of-the bullpen depth behind current Reds closer Alexis D¨ªaz. Barlow¡¯s exact role isn't clear, but he will be among right-handers like D¨ªaz, Emilio Pag¨¢n and Tony Santillan as locks for Cincinnati's bullpen. Rogers, Brent Suter and Sam Moll form a trio of lefties, while the final spot appears up for grabs.

Singer wasn't surprised that Barlow found a way to get his velocity back.

¡°He¡¯s always been creative," Singer said. "It¡¯s really cool to see him practice. He works on everything each and every day, catch-play and all of that. He¡¯s always trying to get new ideas.

¡°You¡¯ll see he¡¯s shortened up his arm action trying to find extra velocity. He¡¯s always going to have his breaking stuff -- a really good slider, really good curveball. He knows what he¡¯s good at. He¡¯s had a really good career. He¡¯s sticking to what he knows.¡±