Projecting the 2013 Fisher Cats - P Danny Barnes
After taking a look at starting pitchers that could find their way to New Hampshire this season, we move now to the bullpen - particularly the back end of the bullpen. The man who could be called upon to close down games for the Fisher Cats this season has developed a reputation as a strike-'em-out, shut-'em-down force in his first three years in the Blue Jays organization.
Today, we take a look at relief pitcher Danny Barnes.
A Princeton graduate, Barnes finished 34-for-36 in saves last year with Dunedin, setting the all-time franchise mark while leading the entire minor leagues in the category. He also recorded 63 strikeouts in 51.1 innings, while posting a 1.40 ERA and .198 opponent's batting average. He got called up to New Hampshire for one game, July 16, but didn't fare well, taking the loss at New Britain, allowing 3 runs in 1.2 innings.
The 23-year old righty from Manhasset, NY was the Blue Jays 35th- round draft pick in 2010. Since his debut that year, he has moved his way up the ladder one stop at a time, and has proven he belonged at each stop. He owns a 7-5 career record and 2.13 ERA, while converting 48 of 53 save chances. Along the way, he has recorded an impressive 217 strikeouts in only 156.2 innings.
Currently ranked as the Blue Jays' 19th-best prospect by MLB.com, he could certainly see himself as the Blue Jays ninth-inning man in the foreseeable future.