Joe Barlow

BIOGRAPHY

Joe Barlow was born September 28, 1995, in Riverton, Utah. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

After signing, Barlow converted to full–time pitching and was assigned to the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League to make his professional debut; in 32+2⁄3 innings pitched for them, he posted a 2–4 record with a 4.41 ERA. He split the 2017 season between extended spring training and the Spokane Indians of the Class A Short Season Northwest League, producing a 6–1 record with a 2.00 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 45 innings. In 2018, Barlow spent the full season with the Hickory Crawdads of the Class A South Atlantic League, producing a 3–3 record with a 1.68 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 59 innings. After the 2018 regular season, Barlow played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League. Barlow was assigned to the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League to open the 2019 season. He went 4–0 with a 0.38 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 23+2⁄3 innings for them. On May 29, he was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League, and went 1–1 with a 1.18 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 16 innings for them. On July 15, he was promoted to the Nashville Sounds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, and went 1–1. Barlow opened the 2021 season with the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West, going 0–1 with a 2.57 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 21 innings.

On June 23, 2021, Texas selected Barlow’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the next day, pitching a scoreless inning against the Oakland Athletics. In the game, he also notched his first career strikeout, punching out A’s infielder Jed Lowrie. Barlow set a Rangers franchise record on August 2, becoming the first pitcher to record eight straight strikeouts of opposing batters faced. Barlow served as the Rangers closer to finish the 2021 season. In 2021, he posted a 0–2 record with a 1.55 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 11 saves over 29 innings. He was named the Rangers September/October Pitcher of the Month.

Barlow spent time as the Texas closer in 2022, but ultimately lost the role due to ineffectiveness and injury. With Texas in 2022, he posted a 3–1 record with a 3.86 ERA , 28 strikeouts, and 13 saves over 35 innings.