Bob Melvin Feeling More Confident with Scott Barlow

While it hasn’t been the season that anyone could have hoped for in San Diego, the Padres can take some things with them into the offseason. They started to play much better baseball over the last few weeks, giving them a glimpse into what could have been all year.

They can take this with them into next season and hope for a much better year. One of those things is relief pitcher Scott Barlow, who the team acquired at the trade deadline this season.

Barlow has looked good with the Padres so far this year, appearing in 22 games. He holds an ERA of 3.42 over that time, which is much better than the 5.35 ERA that he had with the Kansas City Royals earlier this season.

Barlow is under team control for the 2024 season, and he is a candidate to be their closer next year. Current closer Josh Hader is expected to leave the team in free agency, so Barlow makes sense to take over for the Padres.

San Diego manager Bob Melvin has been impressed with Barlow, and he feels very confident in his reliever.

“Lefties, righties, doesn’t matter,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said. “I mean it used to be a little bit of a split where he had a tougher time with lefties, but (he’s got) his breaking ball now and he’s throwing for strikes, throwing it for chase. His sinker seems to be a better pitch for him right now, too, which is moving a little bit harder. He’s been a closer before. He’s just pitching now like he has in his career when he’s been very successful and he’s doing that now.”

Per The SD Union-Tribune

Barlow has seen a jump in his stuff on the mound, and it likely stems from being in a more win-now environment. San Diego is still in the playoff race, but entering next season, they should be in better shape.

If he can replicate his production from this season, then the Padres will be in a good spot for next season. He is more than capable of being their closer, and if anything, he provides them with a solid arm out of the bullpen.

As we enter the final week of the season, Barlow has a chance to finish his 2023 season on a high note. It’s been a wild year for both he and the Padres, and they are looking forward to a much better 2024, starting with a full offseason together.