Brandon Barker scouting report from talkingchop.com

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Brandon Barker - RHP

Predicted starting team in 2016: AA Mississippi

Major League ETA: 2017

BBRef Page

6'3" 200lbs 8/20/1992

Throws R Bats R

Brandon Barker seems to be the next in line of the Williams Perez mold for the Braves, just better in my opinion. Barker was a 16th round pick out of Mercer last year, and after two games in Danville was quickly promoted to Rome. He was ok in his first round at Rome with a 3.93 ERA and 20.9% strikeout rate. 2015 was a breakout year of sorts, as he started down in Low A and was able to advance all the way to AAA Gwinnett for a few games. In Rome, Barker posted a 3.48 ERA in 8 starts, but really showed out after being promoted to Carolina. He had a dead even 3.00 ERA in 17 starts, and towards the end of the season became one of the most consistent performers in the system. He pitched in 2 games with Gwinnett and had a 4.82 ERA, which is fairly good considering he skipped over AA altogether. He has reverse splits, being far more effective against lefties to this point in his career, though he has shown the ability to get any player out. His fastball is just average, sitting in the low 90's, and he gets good but not great arm side movement on the pitch. He features some effort in his delivery, but it shouldn't be enough to prevent him from remaining in a rotation. His delivery isn't the most easily repeatable one, but he does a good job of maintaining command nonetheless. His best offspeed pitch is a slide that at times can get inconsistent and slurvy, but when it's working to its fullest could be a solid major league average or above average pitch. His biggest strides have been made with his changeup. He had previously struggle to throw the pitch for strikes, but has taken some steps forward to more consistently keep the pitch in the zone and have it as a weapon. That third pitch will allow him to stay as a starter if he can continue to get batters out. While his ceiling is limited to that of a back end starter, Barker has a fairly high floor and should be able to quickly advance through the system.

[video=youtube;smEa0crpVeI]

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Barker was at 83 pitches after 7 innings.

He gave up a lead-off double to start the 8th ...... and then proceeded to strike out the side !!!

24 OUTS: 11 Groundouts, 5 Flyouts, 4 Strikeouts, 3 Lineouts (Including 1 Double Play)

BRANDON NICHOLS BARKER O (vs. AA-Harrisburg, 6/27)

IP:l 8

H:;; 4 ll(1 Home Run, 2 Doubles, 1 Single)

R:l) 1

BB:)2

SO:)4

Pitches: 99 (66 Strikes, 33 Balls)

2016 ERA: 3.29 (AA-Bowie)

PITCHES BY INNING

****************

15 (91 Strikes, 6 Balls)

81 (71 Strikes, 1 Balls)

10 (71 Strikes, 3 Balls)

10 (71 Strikes, 3 Balls)

10 (71 Strikes, 3 Balls)

17 (10 Strikes, 7 Balls)

13 (71 Strikes, 6 Balls)

16 (12 Strikes, 4 Balls)