Brandon

Barker

Barker re-signed a minor league contract with the Royals back in March and has been released after making just one appearance this season in Kansas City’s minor league system. The 29-year-old righty has yet to reach the majors.

Barker latched on the with Royals on a minor-league pact last summer and wound up compiling a lackluster 7.79 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 46/18 K/BB ratio across 52 innings (15 appearances, 11 starts) at Triple-A Omaha. The 29-year-old righty will add to the Royals’ organizational pitching depth this season.

Originally a 16th round pick by the Braves in the 2014 draft, the 28-year-old hurler hasn’t even pitched in the minor leagues since 2018. He has spent the last three seasons playing in the independent leagues -- posting a 2.89 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 34/13 K/BB ratio across 37 1/3 innings for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the Atlantic League this season.

Barker, a 16th round pick from 2014, owns a 3.08 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 over parts of three seasons in the minors. The 23-year-old had a 2.00 ERA and 40/12 K/BB ratio in 45 innings with the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate this season. He’s expected to report to Double-A Bowie with his new organization.