Braves Add Power Arm Ink Andrew Barbosa

Our apologies for missing another Braves pitching signing. According to the Braves transaction page, back on July 10 they signed another power arm, former Diamondback prospect Andrew Barbosa.

Another Power Arm

Barbosa is is a 27 year old, 6’8” 205 pound originally from San Juan Puerto Rico.  The family moved to Florida when he attended Attended Sarasota-Riverview High School  where he caught the eye of the San Francisco Giants who selected him in 15th  round of the 2006 draft. He chose instead to attend South Florida Community College and in 2007 the Giants tried to draft him again this time in the 48th round but once again he said no thanks.

In 2009 he transferred to USF and joined the team as a walk on. Throughout his colleges career  Barbosa displayed a power arm beginning in 2010 when he moved from unknown walk-on to No. 2 starter for USF and one of the top pitchers in the BIG EAST Conference.

That year he posted a 2.40 ERA and a 1.089 WHIP in 86 1/3 IP striking out 95 and walking just 22 and holding opposing batters to a 2.18 average. The Giants tried a third time to bring Barbosa on board selecting him in the 15th round but once again he said no thanks.

He was expected to lead the USF rotation in 2011 but after just two starts he was forced to have TJ surgery. He returned to the USF rotation as a senior in 2012 making 16 starts and throwing 95 innings while posting a 2.75 ERA and a 0.926 WHIP striking out 110, walking just 24 and holding opponents to a .195 average.

He entered the draft once again that summer and this time the Diamondbacks selected him in the 36th round.

The Minors

In rookie ball for the D’Backs Barbosa continued to flex that power arm making 15 starts and throwing 75 1/3 innings while posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.358 WHIP.  He remained a strikeout + per inning pitcher fanning 88 while walking 36.

In 2013 he moved up to Hi A and made 26 starts posting a 3.81 ERA and 1.374 WHIP striking out 160 and walking 70 in 134 2/3 innings. One of those outings was a 118 pitch – 80 strike- complete game shutout, allowing three hits and one walk striking out 14.

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In 2014 Arizona once again started Barbosa in A+ ball where he was once again solid. In his 19 starts he posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.404 WHIP striking out 117 and walking 39 . the 2015 season saw him move to AA where he made just one start and 2 relief appearances covering 3 2/3 innings before being released.

The lefty signed almost immediately with the Long Island Ducks. He made nine starts for the Ducks pitching to a 2.82 ERA. 1.285 WHIP striking out 59 and walking 19 in 51IP.

Barbosa started Friday night (July 10) for the Mississippi Braves and threw 91 pitches (62 strikes) in his seven innings of three hit shutout ball striking out 12 and walking one.

That’s a Wrap

The obvious question is why would a team release a left handed power arm after only three innings of AA ball?  The only answer I can come up with is that the Diamondbacks are rebuilding and Barbosa is nearly 28 years old and still in the lower minors.   The Braves should send a thank you card to Arizona because even though he has his issues there’s no doubt he is at least a  potential power left reliever who strikes hitters out and doesn’t walk many. That’s never a bad thing.