Scott Alen Barlow Bio
Scott Alen Barlow (born December 18, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, and Athletics. Barlow made his MLB debut in 2018 and has established himself as a reliable relief pitcher throughout his career. He has compiled a 31-24 win-loss record with a 3.79 earned run average, 565 strikeouts, and 61 saves across his MLB tenure.
Early Life and Background
Barlow was born in New London, Connecticut. His family relocated to California during his freshman year of high school to provide him with year-round baseball opportunities and greater exposure to professional scouts. He attended Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, California, where he developed into a promising pitching prospect.
Following his high school career, Barlow committed to play college baseball at California State University, Fresno for the Fresno State Bulldogs. However, he altered his path when he received interest from MLB scouts during his senior year.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Barlow in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He signed with the Dodgers rather than attend Fresno State, beginning his professional career immediately after being drafted.
Barlow made his professional debut that same year with the AZL Dodgers, though his rookie season was brief as he pitched just 1.2 innings. The following year, 2012, Barlow underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season, a common setback for young pitchers. He returned to the mound in 2013 with the Ogden Raptors, where he posted a 4-3 record with a 6.20 ERA in 15 starts.
Scott Alen Barlow Career
Minor League Development (2011-2017)
Barlow steadily progressed through the Dodgers system over several seasons. In 2014 with the Great Lakes Loons, he went 6-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 23 games. He experienced significant improvement in 2015 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, compiling an 8-3 record with a stellar 2.52 ERA in 14 appearances.
He spent 2016 with the Tulsa Drillers, posting a 4-7 record with a 3.98 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 24 games. His final season in the Dodgers organization came in 2017 with Tulsa and Oklahoma City, where he combined for a 7-6 record and 3.29 ERA in 26 starts. Barlow elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.
Kansas City Royals Era (2018-2023)
On December 7, 2017, Barlow signed a major league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He began 2018 with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers before receiving his first major league call-up. The Royals promoted Barlow to the majors three times in April 2018, and following his third call-up on April 28, he made his MLB debut on April 30 against the Boston Red Sox.
Barlow made the Royals Opening Day roster in 2019. On April 17, 2019, he earned his first major league save by closing out a 4-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox. With the 2020 Royals, Barlow appeared in a league-high 32 games, compiling a 2-1 record with a 4.20 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.
On March 22, 2022, Barlow signed a $2.4 million contract with the Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. He served as a key member of the Royals bullpen over multiple seasons before the team traded him in 2023.
San Diego Padres (2023)
On August 1, 2023, the Royals traded Barlow to the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects Jesus Rios and Henry Williams. In 25 games for San Diego, Barlow pitched to a 3.07 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 29 and one-third innings pitched, providing solid middle-relief production for the Padres bullpen.
Cleveland Guardians (2024)
On November 17, 2023, Barlow was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Enyel De Los Santos. In 63 appearances for the Guardians in 2024, he compiled a 3-3 record and 4.25 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 55 innings pitched. The Guardians designated Barlow for assignment on September 8, 2024, and he was released on September 12.
Cincinnati Reds (2025)
On February 13, 2025, Barlow signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He made 75 appearances, including one start, for Cincinnati during the regular season. Barlow compiled a 6-3 record and 4.21 ERA with 75 strikeouts and one save across 68 and one-third innings pitched. On November 5, the Reds declined his 2026 option, making him a free agent.
Athletics (2026)
On February 10, 2026, Barlow signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Athletics. He made 36 relief appearances for the team, posting a 2-0 record and 6.48 ERA with 29 strikeouts and two saves across 33 and one-third innings pitched. The Athletics designated Barlow for assignment on June 21, 2026, and he was released after clearing waivers on June 24.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Barlow has developed into a versatile relief pitcher capable of handling high-leverage situations. His ability to appear in numerous games over multiple seasons demonstrates his durability and reliability in the bullpen. He has served effectively as both a setup man and closer throughout his career, accumulating 61 career saves while maintaining a 3.79 ERA across his MLB tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Barlow achieved several notable milestones during his career. His first MLB save on April 17, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox marked his emergence as a reliable late-inning option. His appearance in 32 games during the shortened 2020 season led all American League pitchers, showcasing his importance to the Royals bullpen. Additionally, Barlow was selected to play for the MLB All-Stars in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series following his debut season.
Scott Alen Barlow Career Wins
Barlow has accumulated a solid professional record across his MLB career spanning from 2018 through 2026. His career statistics reflect a durable and productive reliever who has contributed across multiple organizations.
MLB Highlights
Through June 20, 2026, Barlow has compiled a career win-loss record of 31-24 with a 3.79 earned run average and 565 strikeouts. He has recorded 61 career saves and appeared in over 300 major league games. His most productive season came with the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, where he posted a 6-3 record in 75 appearances. With the Royals, Barlow served as a key bullpen component for multiple seasons before becoming a reliable closer option with 61 career saves.
Other Notable Performances
Barlow has demonstrated consistency across different organizations throughout his career. His ability to transition between teams while maintaining solid statistics highlights his value as a professional reliever. His 2020 season with the Royals, despite the shortened schedule, saw him lead the league in appearances with 32 games pitched.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 31-24 |
| Earned Run Average | 3.79 |
| Strikeouts | 565 |
| Saves | 61 |
Scott Alen Barlow Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Barlow was born in New London, Connecticut, and his family moved to California during his teenage years to support his baseball aspirations. His commitment to the sport was evident from an early age, as the family relocated to provide him with year-round playing opportunities and exposure to professional scouts.
Personal Life
Barlow is married to his wife, Klancy. As of 2021, the couple lived in a campervan during the baseball season, reflecting a mobile lifestyle common among professional athletes. Barlow and Klancy welcomed their first child in July 2025. Barlow currently resides in California during the offseason.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented one of Barlow most productive years in Major League Baseball. Signed with the Cincinnati Reds on February 13, 2025, for a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Barlow became a reliable bullpen piece for the club. He appeared in 75 games, including one start, and posted a 6-3 win-loss record with a 4.21 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 68 and one-third innings. He also recorded one save during the regular season.
Barlow consistency and durability remained hallmarks of his game, as he logged significant innings out of the Reds bullpen while maintaining solid run prevention. His ability to pitch multiple innings and handle various high-leverage situations made him a valuable asset to the Reds pitching staff throughout the season.
The Reds declined Barlow option for the 2026 season following the completion of the 2025 campaign, making him a free agent. Despite this, his 2025 performance demonstrated he remains an effective major league reliever capable of contributing to a major league bullpen. His next opportunity came quickly when he signed with the Athletics in February 2026.