Twins Prospect Retrospective: LHP Charlie Barnes

[Seth Stohs]

Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reported (and Twins Daily can confirm) that left-handed pitching prospect Charlie Barnes will be in Detroit with the Minnesota Twins when they begin to play again on Friday. Let's take a look back at Barnes' path to the Twins. 

 

In the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins selected left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes out of Clemson University. 

Before that, he was a three-time letter winner in baseball at Sumter (SC) High School. He was twice All-State. As a senior, he was named pitcher of the year in the state. 

Going to Clemson was an easy decision for him. It was something he had always wanted to do. He went to a lot of Tigers football games as a child. His brother spent a season as a quarterback at Clemson. 

Barnes worked primarily out of the bullpen as a freshman. As a sophomore, he became a weekend starter and went 6-4 with a 4.66 ERA. In his junior season, the southpaw became the team's Friday night starter. He went 5-5 with a 3.20 ERA. That year, in 101 1/3 innings, he struck out 113 batters and issued just 22 walks. 

He was drafted in 2017, but it is important and impressive to note that Barnes also graduated from college in just three years. He majored in Management with an emphasis on sports management. 

Season Stats 

• 2017 Elizabethton - 6 G, 22.2 IP, 2-1, 1.19 ERA. 10 walks, 23 strikeouts
• 2017 Cedar Rapids - 6 G, 25.2 IP, 2-1, 3.86 ERA, 8 walks, 23 strikeouts
• 2018 Ft. Myers - 23 G, 118.1 IP, 6-6, 2.81 ERA, 44 walks, 84 strikeouts 
• 2019 Ft. Myers - 8 G, 37.1 IP, 3-2, 6.51 ERA, 20 walks, 35 strikeouts
• 2019 Pensacola - 14 G, 13 GS, 75.0 IP, 3-4, 3.60 ERA, 24 walks, 73 strikeouts 
• 2019 Rochester - 4 G, 18.2 IP, 1-2, 6.75 ERA, 11 walks, 16 strikeouts. 

Following the season, Barnes was invited to Twins' big-league spring training in 2020. He wasn't initially at the team's alternate site, though he did join the group in St. Paul later in the summer. 

This spring, he was again a non-roster invite to spring training and showed some good improvement. 

He began the 2021 season at Triple-A St. Paul. In 11 starts so far, he is 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA. In 58 innings, he has walked 19 and struck out 50 batters.  

As you would expect, it hasn't been all smooth throughout the season. In his first six starts, Barnes went 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA. On June 13th, in his third start against the Omaha Storm Chasers, Barnes gave up six earned runs in three innings. Six days later, in his third start against the Iowa Cubs, he tossed five no-hit innings and struck out seven. In his next start, he allowed six earned runs over five innings. In his two most recent starts, he has worked a combined 12 1/3 innings and is 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA. 

The scouting report on Charlie Barnes reads like that of a typical Twins starter. First, he is left-handed. Second, he relies on mixing his pitches and his pitch velocities to be successful. Of course, that is true of any pitcher, but when he generally sits 88 to 91 mph, it is essential. 

Barnes throws a lot of sinkers and changeups. The sinker tops out about 91. He was touted as having the best changeup in that 2017 draft, and it continues to be an important pitch for him. He also throws a four-seam fastball up in the zone with a lot of carry, making it a good pitch for him. He also throws both a slider and a curveball. 

Again, with a fastball around 90, he can't rely on it all the time. Mixing the velocity and the eye level for hitters is crucial. When he uses his slider and his changeup and is able to spot pitches, he can be successful. 

He will have his first opportunity to show that on Friday night in Detroit. 

 

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[ashbury]

It would be exciting if he shines in this audition. If he disguises his pitches, the changeup can be devastating.

[LA VIkes Fan]

Great to see this happen . This is exactly the kind of thing the twins should be doing for the rest of the season. Keep him in Minnesota and give him him more than one start unless he shows he isn’t ready. Winder should be next. 

[RpR]

Yeah people who buy Twins tickets love 100 loss seasons.

Worked great in the play off last year.

[yeahyabetcha]

At least his first start is against Detroit.  I hope I am wrong, but he doesn’t look all that ready for the MLB to me.

[Taildragger8791]

This has disaster written all over it. The elevated walk rate makes me think he lives on the edge of the zone or just outside with mediocre stuff, which gets strikeouts in the minors but will lead to a ton of trouble against major league hitters.

[Dman]

The only issues I have had with Barnes is the inconsistency start to start and the lack of K's.  Both he and Jax give up lot's of hits.  Also once Barnes goes bad he has trouble righting the ship and gives up tons of runs.  It is a theme played over and over again as he hit the upper levels.

I will say he has been more consistent this year than 2019.  His WHIP is lower and his ERA is lower.  He has been good more than bad and had some dominant outings.  It probably is time to find out what happens when he pitches in MLB.  I mean he can't be much worse than Happ has been some games.  Maybe just maybe he can adjust and be a viable lefty 5th starter or long reliever.  Now is the time to try.  I wish him the best but doubt his stuff plays well with the big boys.  At least we get to find out.

[HrbieFan]

Barnes has looked a lot more MLB worthy at St Paul than Jax. Aside from his AAA stint in 2019, he has progressed nicely.  Twins need to use the balance of the season to figure out if we have anyone to pencil for next year(but we have all said that before). 

[mikelink45]

Keep bringing up the arms.  Let's see someone really rise and blow us away!  I do not think Barnes, Ober or Jax is the answer, but let's hope they are able to bridge the gap to Duran, Balazovic and Winder. 

[bighat]

35 minutes ago, yeahyabetcha said:

At least his first start is against Detroit.  I hope I am wrong, but he doesn’t look all that ready for the MLB to me.

Yeah...his minor league numbers this year are pretty similar to our old friend Stephen Gonsalves, who's got just about the same stats on the Red Sox AAA affiliate this year. Gonsalves is just one year older than Barnes, believe it or not.

But you gotta kick the tires on these guys and I do think he deserves a shot. I'm excited to see him pitch - you never know until you run them out there and let them play. Competitors find a way, and Barnes is getting an opportunity. Let's go Charlie!

[roger]

Was surprised when I saw that in the Strib over coffee this morning, Seth.  Assume he is the 27th man for the doubleheader and will be back in Saint Paul of Saturday.  Don't have any expectations of how he will do.  Hopefully, the good Barnes will show up and not the one who has struggled in several games this year.

[TwinsDr2021]

Seems like a great guy to pair with Ober, let one go 3 to 4 innings and they bring in the other to do the same. In a perfect world one could 4 and the other 4/5 and only need those two pitchers. In a more realistic world, the starter would go 4, the other go 3 and you would only need one/two innings to finish the game, in the disaster game, you bring in Dobnak and say bring us home son.

[Monkeypaws]

I always enjoy watching guys who need to "pitch" to be successful, especially lefties.

[Dodecahedron]

It's time to give guys like him a cup of coffee.  Does this mean someone is about to be traded?

[Seth Stohs]

46 minutes ago, roger said:

Was surprised when I saw that in the Strib over coffee this morning, Seth.  Assume he is the 27th man for the doubleheader and will be back in Saint Paul of Saturday.  Don't have any expectations of how he will do.  Hopefully, the good Barnes will show up and not the one who has struggled in several games this year.

I would guess that to be true (27th man)... but adding him to the 40 man is a big step too. My assumption would be Smeltzer to the 60 day IL since he's already close to that and we shall see. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

Guys, we have 6 games in the first 4 days after the All Star break, 15 in the the first 13, and no day off until July 29. We can’t cover that with our normal 5 man rotation. We will need at least 2 starts from AAA guys, one Thursday against Detroit and one Monday against Chicago just to cover the schedule. And that assumes the regular 5 don’t get traded or have to miss a start for injury. We need to start the best we have from the farm, so let’s all get used to seeing these guys. 

[roger]

47 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

I would guess that to be true (27th man)... but adding him to the 40 man is a big step too. My assumption would be Smeltzer to the 60 day IL since he's already close to that and we shall see. 

Thanks, Seth.  Didn't even think about his not being on the 40-man.  Do you know, does he get a raise to his salary at AAA because of the promotion to the 40-man?  If so, that is a huge benefit for him.  I guess a related question is whether or not MLB has a minimum comp for players on the 40-man when they are in the minors?

[MN_ExPat]

Thanks Seth.

Welcome to the Show Kid.  No matter what happens, you are a major leaguer now... so God Speed and God Bless.

John 3:16 Kid

[Seth Stohs]

2 minutes ago, roger said:

Thanks, Seth.  Didn't even think about his not being on the 40-man.  Do you know, does he get a raise to his salary at AAA because of the promotion to the 40-man?  If so, that is a huge benefit for him.  I guess a related question is whether or not MLB has a minimum comp for players on the 40-man when they are in the minors?

There are salaries for first year on 40-man, second year and third year... I haven't seen what those numbers are for years. I thought it was like $8000/$10000/$15000 several years ago... It's probably more now. And, I believe when players get called up for that first time, they sign a deal, a two-way deal.  

[Whitey333]

It's a perfect year to find out the progression, or lack thereof, from some of our top pitching prospects.  The season was lost long ago.  This may be the only reason to follow Twins rest of the season.

[4twinsJA]

Good luck to Charlie, I am not that high on his potential but he has earned an opportunity.

[bean5302]

Sounds a lot like a Tommy Milone ceiling, but only hoping for the best. It's a dream for any player to get a shot at the big leagues!

[nicksaviking]

I'm glad the Twins are starting to bring up the prospects, and I'm thrilled for Barnes.

However, I'm still twiddling my thumbs waiting for the guys who might miss a bunch of bats though. High contact pitchers and lots of sinkers don't really get my juices flowing too much.

[roger]

4 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

There are salaries for first year on 40-man, second year and third year... I haven't seen what those numbers are for years. I thought it was like $8000/$10000/$15000 several years ago... It's probably more now. And, I believe when players get called up for that first time, they sign a deal, a two-way deal.  

Just did some digging, Seth.  Assuming the article about salaries being raised throughout the minor leagues was accurate, the minimum salary for a player on the 40-man while on option to the minors is $46,000 this year.  So expect that fact might mean a meaningful raise for Barnes.

[Danchat]

Barnes profiles as a AAAA pitcher, but there have been exceptions to the "soft-tossing" lefty trope, and he could end up sticking as a long reliever / or even gain a few ticks on the fastball upon joining the pen. I do think it is important to figure out whether you can count on him as depth in the future, as he will likely be back in the AAA rotation in 2022. I'd prefer figuring out if he stinks now rather than later.

[darwin22]

18 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Great to see this happen . This is exactly the kind of thing the twins should be doing for the rest of the season. Keep him in Minnesota and give him him more than one start unless he shows he isn’t ready. Winder should be next. 

Count me in the camp of being pleased to see Barnes get this opportunity, which, imo he absolutely deserves.  I've been calling for his promotion for the last couple of weeks and echo your comments that he should get a fair evaluation to stay in the rotation.  I know Happ will remain in rotation through trade deadline, but if Pineda is dealt (he should be) and Dobnak remains MIA (injury), Barnes could serve as SP5 with Happ moving into a long man RP role.  Happ's last start was very good, but that doesn't negate the fact that even including that last start he has a horrible 6.75 ERA and robust WHIP (1.75) in his 7 starts since June 1st.  I will say AGAIN......the rest of this season is about 1 thing:  EVALUATION FOR 2022. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

Quick question, if Barnes is called up as the 27th man for a doubleheader do we burn an option year? I seem to remember that it does not burn an option year as long as you return the player to AAA after the doubleheader. It’s kind of a free look other than having to add him to the 40 man roster. Can someone let me know if I’m remembering this right? Frankly, we should call him up and give him more than one start so this may be a moot but at least we get a free look if I’m remembering this right.

[DocBauer]

12 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Keep bringing up the arms.  Let's see someone really rise and blow us away!  I do not think Barnes, Ober or Jax is the answer, but let's hope they are able to bridge the gap to Duran, Balazovic and Winder. 

Grudgingly I agree. But I have seen enough of Ober that I think there is really something there. And I have no problem with limiting his IP considering past limitations and no 2020, I think the Twins really like him and see something. I keep recalling his first mediocre start where Smalley stated it was one of the best 4IP and 4R allowed start he had ever seen, because he saw a lot to build on.

Whether the Twins employ a 6 man rotation or do some piggybacking to finish this year, I could easily see at least 6 SP needing and deserving work after Happ is gone. The Twins are going to stretch Ober as much as they can and build him up for 2022 as a real option. I agree with this approach. I think this kid has a real shot.

I think Barnes deserves a shot, Just being honest, I wasn't crazy about his selection  so early when drafted. And I have a love affair with LH's! LOL. I just didn't see the potential and still not sure I do. His milb numbers are solid but not great, But he's been promoted fairly aggressively and got a late "second site" look late in 2020. It just feels like he's missing an "it" factor that doesn't allow him the ability to succeed at this point at the ML level. Don't get me wrong velocity isn't everything. And a wicked change is, well, wicked. I just don't know that he has that 3rd or 4th offering to really succeed. 

You give me him or a healthy Thorpe to transition to the pen...once the "dead arm which really turned out to be injury related" situation gets re-habbed...Im leaning toward Thorpe.

But I'm excited and hopeful for the kid. I hope be does well.

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Quick question, if Barnes is called up as the 27th man for a doubleheader do we burn an option year? I seem to remember that it does not burn an option year as long as you return the player to AAA after the doubleheader. It’s kind of a free look other than having to add him to the 40 man roster. Can someone let me know if I’m remembering this right? Frankly, we should call him up and give him more than one start so this may be a moot but at least we get a free look if I’m remembering this right.

I believe it does not cost an option year if he gets called back up within a certain amount of time. However, I don't think any of this is an issue since even if they used an option this year, he wouldn't run out of options until 2024, and he'd be 28 by that point. Barnes is a fringe prospect and is far more likely to be DFA'd in the next year or two rather than stick around enough to be brought up and down for 2021, 2022, and 2023.

[mikelink45]

25 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Grudgingly I agree. But I have seen enough of Ober that I think there is really something there. And I have no problem with limiting his IP considering past limitations and no 2020, I think the Twins really like him and see something. I keep recalling his first mediocre start where Smalley stated it was one of the best 4IP and 4R allowed start he had ever seen, because he saw a lot to build on.

Whether the Twins employ a 6 man rotation or do some piggybacking to finish this year, I could easily see at least 6 SP needing and deserving work after Happ is gone. The Twins are going to stretch Ober as much as they can and build him up for 2022 as a real option. I agree with this approach. I think this kid has a real shot.

I think Barnes deserves a shot, Just being honest, I wasn't crazy about his selection  so early when drafted. And I have a love affair with LH's! LOL. I just didn't see the potential and still not sure I do. His milb numbers are solid but not great, But he's been promoted fairly aggressively and got a late "second site" look late in 2020. It just feels like he's missing an "it" factor that doesn't allow him the ability to succeed at this point at the ML level. Don't get me wrong velocity isn't everything. And a wicked change is, well, wicked. I just don't know that he has that 3rd or 4th offering to really succeed. 

You give me him or a healthy Thorpe to transition to the pen...once the "dead arm which really turned out to be injury related" situation gets re-habbed...Im leaning toward Thorpe.

But I'm excited and hopeful for the kid. I hope be does well.

Nice comments.  I am not an Ober fan, but would love to see him succeed.  I am not sure what the formula is for a good starting pitcher now.  I think about Kaat, Pascual, Perry, Viola, Santana and there is no single equation.  What I want is to see intangibles like Morris brought, but I do not know how to measure them.