The Athletics’ bullpen is gradually taking shape — not with shock names, but with purposeful pieces.
After trading Mason Miller at the deadline last season, many thought the A’s bullpen would collapse. The opposite was true. In the final two months of the season, their reliever group threw a 2.99 ERA — second only to the Guardians in MLB. No “nail” closers, no spotlight, just pure efficiency.
Hagon Harris emerged with a 1.16 ERA during that period, leading the team with four saves. This winter, the A’s only signed Mark Leiter Jr. — a small move. And then, quietly, Scott Barlow appeared.
According to Robert Murray (FanSided), the A’s signed Scott Barlow on a one-year, $2 million contract, plus $1.3 million in performance-based bonuses. Not a blockbuster. But in the context of the bullpen needing close-up experience, this was a calculated move.
Barlow, 33, has been in MLB consistently since 2018. Over the last five seasons, he averaged 68 innings per season with an ERA of 3.41, playing for the Royals, Padres, Guardians, and Reds. He’s a consistent reliever—something A’s desperately needs when playing in an environment with inconsistent court conditions.
His 2025 season with the Reds wasn’t perfect: ERA of 4.21, FIP of 4.70. A 14.9% walk percentage—a career-high—is a major concern. Even more worrying, his walk rate has increased for four consecutive seasons. But it’s here that A’s sees a turning point.
Because when Barlow isn’t walking, he’s incredibly difficult to hit hard.
He’s ranked 99th percentile for hard-hit rate (30.5%), 96th percentile for average exit velocity (86.2 mph), 87th percentile for whiff rate, and above average for ground-ball rate (44.1%). In other words: the ball doesn’t go far when it hits the club, and hitters still miss.
The contradiction is that Barlow’s BABIP last season was only .249 — significantly lower than the tournament average (.291). This opens up two scenarios. Optimistic: if he brings his walk rate closer to his career level (~10.8%), the “less hard-hit + more whiff” combination will be maximized. Pessimistic: BABIP regresses, walk remains high, baserunner increases.
A’s seems to accept that risk. Short-term contract, low pay, clear upside. And more importantly: mature inning experience.
From 2021–2023, Barlow had three consecutive seasons with double-digit saves (16, 24, 13). Since then, he’s only had three saves — not because of a loss of ability, but because his role has changed. In the current A’s bullpen, no one has a thicker ninth-inning record than Barlow.
That doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to be closer. But it creates a stable axis for a bullpen that operates on a “committee” basis. With Harris, Leiter Jr., and the young arms, Barlow can be the one to receive the ball when the game is at its toughest.
It’s noteworthy how the A’s build is: they’re not trying to find a replacement for Mason Miller. They distribute responsibility, optimize matchups, and add experience at the right time. Barlow fits that philosophy — no need to be a star, just play the right role.
The A’s bullpen won’t be making headlines. But if they can maintain the same formula as last season, and if Barlow can regain control, Sacramento could see many games where the game is tightly controlled in a way that is very… frustrating for the opponent.
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