Age: 30
Born: June 17, 1990
Bethel, CT
Height: 6-4
Weight: 203
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 1st round, 2011
How Acquired: Draft
College: Connecticut
High School: Bethel (CT)

Photo © John Corneau/Lowell Spinners

SoxProspects.com Links
The Book: Matt Barnes (10.5.11)
2012 Prospect Preview
ESPN Boston - Barnes to debut Sunday (4.7.12)
Barnes extends scoreless streak (4.25.12)
Barnes' family shares in promotion (4.30.12)
ESPN Boston - Barnes on the move (5.29.12)
The Book: Matt Barnes (6.6.12)
The Book: Evaluating the arms (8.13.12)
Scouting Scratch: Matt Barnes (5.29.13)
Barnes developing steadliy in Double-A (6.30.13)
Scouting Scratch: Portland notebook (7.31.13)
Barnes impresses manager in Pawtucket debut (8.30.13)
2013 Top 40 Season in Review
ESPNBoston: Barnes solid in first start (4.27.14)
Barnes continues resurgence behind explosive... (8.21.14)
The Write-Up: Matt Barnes (9.4.14)
2014 Top 40 Season in Review
The Write-Up: Matt Barnes, Brian Johnson, Keith... (4.28.15)
2015 Graduates in Review

Physical Description: Athletic, strong, durable frame. Long legs, high waist. Not much room for physical growth.

Mechanics: Works from middle of the rubber. Hands set at the belt. Brings hands to chest with first move towards the plate. Three-quarters arm slot. Long arm action in back with a slight wrist turn. Great balance over the rubber on back leg. High leg kick with average extension towards the plate. Gets over front side and pitches downhill. Has struggled to repeat at times in the past, but beginning to demonstrate more consistency mechanically.

Fastball: 88-96 mph. Sits 91-94 mph generally. Can dial it up anytime he wants it into the upper-90s, and will occasionally work in some slower fastballs. Arm-side run when down in the zone. Gets on hitters quick. Heavy, overpowering at times. Will elevate by design. Effective ability to pitch to both sides of the plate. Command and control steadily improving. Changes speeds. Easy plus pitch.

Curveball: 78-82 mph. Hard snap out of the zone. Solid-average when he stays through it. Will flash plus on occasion. Tough pitch to command in the zone and hitters can often just lay off. Does a good job controlling it and burying it down. Pitch has a chance to be a plus offering with improved consistency and command.

Changeup: 83-86 mph. Arm-side fade. Improving feel and confidence in pitch. Maintains arm speed generally. Can tend to leave up in the zone. Average pitch showing signs of improvement. Needs to improve command down in the zone.

Career Notes: Both secondaries showed marked improvement at the end of the 2014 season. Began the 2014 season on the disabled list with shoulder soreness. Has also utilized a slider in the past. Played for the Team USA Collegiate team after his sophomore season. Was used as a relief pitcher for the first time during brief major league call-up in 2014.

Summation: High-leverage reliever potential. Three-pitch mix with two potential plus-pitches and future average command/control. Will need to improve consistency of breaking ball and ability to command for strikes to reach ceiling. Bulldog type with no-fear approach. Controlled aggression.