Scott Barnes, SP, Giants: Drafted in the eighth round last year out of St. John's University, Barnes dazzled in his first 11 games as a pro last year, striking out 63 in 43 2/3 innings in the low minors while allowing just 24 hits, four walks and no home runs. He impressed enough and showed enough of an advanced feel for pitching that the organization decided to let the 21-year-old skip low Class A this season.
A tall, lanky, 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefty, Barnes has a quick arm that can get his fastball up to the 92-93 mph range with tail, and he can add and subtract velocity as needed. Like Bumgarner, he shows the ball a bit on the backside of his delivery, but then it disappears as his arm starts to come forward, and he throws it with a whippy, slingerlike arm action that makes it tough to pick up as he releases the ball. However, he can control and repeat his delivery, and there really isn't anything that would raise a big red flag. The Giants did a good job cleaning up the delivery, and he doesn't jerk his head at the end as much as he did in college.
His circle changeup has gone through marked development since he became a pro, as it's now a low-80s pitch with excellent arm speed and a consistent slot. His third pitch is a mid-70s curve that still needs work. When I talked with him recently, he mentioned the usual things a pitcher at this level is focused on -- locating, being consistent and refining the breaking ball.
Barnes had his toughest outing as a pro Tuesday, as he failed to get out of the fourth inning. So far this season, however, he still has fanned 19 in 22 1/3 innings while giving up just one homer in a tough league for pitchers, making four of his five starts on the road in some launching pads. As a fly-ball pitcher, the California League will be a good test for Barnes. He's a little ways off from reaching the big leagues but projects as a solid starter down the road.
