Scott Barlow Bio
Scott Alen Barlow, born on December 18, 1992, is an American professional baseball pitcher who has spent parts of his career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with several organizations. He first reached the majors in 2018 with the Kansas City Royals and has since appeared for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, and Athletics. A former starting pitcher in the minors, Barlow has worked primarily as a reliever in the big leagues and has been used in late-inning situations throughout his career.
Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, Barlow worked his way through the minor leagues before becoming a regular member of a major league bullpen. Across his MLB career through late June 2026, he has compiled a 31–24 win–loss record, a 3.79 earned run average, 565 strikeouts, and 61 saves. He currently resides in California, where his family settled during his teenage years.
Early Life and Background
Scott Alen Barlow was born on December 18, 1992, in New London, Connecticut. He grew up in a household where sports played a central role, and he developed an interest in baseball at a young age. As a child, Barlow played locally in Connecticut, where the short New England summers made year-round play more difficult.
During his freshman year of high school, Barlow’s family relocated to California so that he could play baseball throughout the year and gain more exposure to professional scouts. The move was a significant turning point in his development, allowing him to train and compete in a climate well suited for year-round play. He completed his high school education at Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita, California, where he continued to sharpen his pitching skills.
Following high school, Barlow committed to play college baseball at California State University, Fresno, for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The decision reflected his continued growth as a prospect and positioned him for entry into the professional ranks.
Path to Major League Baseball
Rather than honor his college commitment, Barlow was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB draft and signed his first professional contract with the organization. He made his professional debut that same year with the AZL Dodgers, where he worked briefly before injuries interrupted his progress.
In 2012, Barlow underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. He returned to action in 2013 with the Ogden Raptors, posting a 4–3 record and a 6.20 ERA across 15 starts. The Dodgers moved him up the ladder in 2014 and 2015, with stops at the Great Lakes Loons and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, where he showed steady improvement.
Barlow continued his climb in 2016 and 2017, pitching primarily for the Tulsa Drillers and Oklahoma City Dodgers. After the 2017 minor league season, he elected free agency on November 6, 2017, clearing the way for his first major league opportunity.
Scott Barlow Career
Kansas City Royals Era (2017–2023)
On December 7, 2017, Scott Alen Barlow signed a major league contract with the Kansas City Royals and began 2018 with the Omaha Storm Chasers in Triple-A. The Royals promoted him to the major leagues three times in April 2018, and on April 30, he made his MLB debut in relief against the Boston Red Sox. Later that year, on October 29, 2018, he was selected to play for the MLB All-Stars in the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
Barlow made the Royals’ 2019 Opening Day roster and earned his first major league save on April 17, closing out a 4–3 win against the Chicago White Sox. In the shortened 2020 season, he appeared in a league-high 32 games, going 2–1 with a 4.20 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 30 innings. On March 22, 2022, he signed a $2.4 million contract to avoid salary arbitration.
San Diego Padres (2023)
On August 1, 2023, the Kansas City Royals traded Barlow to the San Diego Padres in exchange for prospects Jesús Rios and Henry Williams. The trade came as the Royals reshaped their bullpen, and Barlow joined the Padres as a middle-to-late reliever. In 25 appearances with San Diego, he pitched to a 3.07 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 29+1⁄3 innings.
Cleveland Guardians (2023–2024)
On November 17, 2023, Barlow was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Enyel De Los Santos. The trade reunited him with an American League contender and gave him another opportunity in a defined relief role. In 63 appearances during the 2024 season, he compiled a 3–3 record and a 4.25 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 55 innings. Cleveland designated him for assignment on September 8, 2024, and released him on September 12.
Cincinnati Reds (2025)
On February 13, 2025, Scott Alen Barlow signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He slotted into the Reds’ bullpen and made 75 appearances, including one start, during the regular season. He finished 6–3 with a 4.21 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and one save in 68+1⁄3 innings. On November 5, 2025, 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 appeared in 36 relief outings for the club, going 2–0 with a 6.48 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and two saves across 33+1⁄3 innings. The Athletics designated him for assignment on June 21, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Barlow’s path through professional baseball has been built on durability and the willingness to adapt. After beginning as a starting pitcher in the Dodgers’ system, he transitioned into a multi-inning relief role and later into high-leverage situations, including closing duties with the Royals. His career totals of 565 strikeouts and 61 saves across more than 300 appearances highlight both his swing-and-miss profile and his late-inning composure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Barlow’s first major league save on April 17, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox marked the arrival of a reliable late-inning option. His selection to the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series also stands out as one of the early honors of his career. Reaching the major leagues after Tommy John surgery remains one of the defining comeback stories of his professional journey.
Scott Barlow Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Scott Alen Barlow has accumulated 31 wins and 61 saves, figures that reflect his long-standing role as a dependable reliever. His career has unfolded across the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, and Athletics, with each stop adding to his resume of late-inning work.
Kansas City Royals Highlights
Barlow spent the bulk of his career with the Kansas City Royals, where he recorded his first major league save in 2019 and led the league in appearances during the 2020 season. He went on to log several seasons of high-volume relief work and became one of the Royals’ trusted setup men and occasional closer before his 2023 trade to San Diego.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond Kansas City, Barlow has posted productive stretches with the Padres, Guardians, Reds, and Athletics. His work in San Diego included a 3.07 ERA in 25 appearances, while his 2025 season in Cincinnati featured 75 appearances and one save. These stops have shown his continued value as a veteran right-handed reliever.
Scott Barlow Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott Alen Barlow was raised in a supportive family that made significant sacrifices to advance his baseball career. His family’s decision to relocate from Connecticut to California during his freshman year of high school allowed him to train year-round and increased his visibility to professional scouts. This family support helped lay the foundation for his path to the major leagues.
Personal Life
Scott Alen Barlow is married to his wife, Klancy. As of 2021, the couple lived in a campervan during the baseball season, embracing a lifestyle that allowed them to travel together throughout the year. In July 2025, Scott and Klancy welcomed their first child. The family has continued to make their home in California.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Scott Alen Barlow served as a key bullpen piece for the Cincinnati Reds after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract in February. He appeared in 75 games, including one start, and finished the regular season with a 6–3 record, a 4.21 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and one save across 68+1⁄3 innings.
His heavy workload reflected the Reds’ reliance on his experience as a multi-inning reliever. While the strikeout numbers remained steady, his overall run prevention trended slightly higher than his career averages, and the Reds ultimately declined his 2026 option on November 5, returning him to free agency.
Barlow’s 2025 campaign added to a career total that now sits at 31 wins, 61 saves, and 565 strikeouts across multiple organizations. With free agency once again ahead of him, he entered the next offseason as a veteran right-hander looking for his next opportunity in a major league bullpen.
