The San Diego Padres are acquiring closer Scott Barlow from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Henry Williams and Jesus Rios, the teams announced.
Barlow, 30, has tallied 13 saves in 16 opportunities for the Royals with a 5.35 ERA in 38.2 innings. He's also recorded nearly 11 strikeouts per nine innings but has seen his walk rate spike to over five allowed per nine.
The six-year veteran enjoyed his best season in the majors last year, when he posted a 2.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP along with 24 saves in 69 appearances for Kansas City.
In San Diego, Barlow will presumably pitch behind closer Josh Hader, adding more depth to the team's bullpen. The Padres elected to add at the deadline after a disappointing start to their season, although they sit just five games out of a playoff spot in the tight NL wild-card race.
Williams, ranked as the Padres' No. 10 prospect by MLB.com prior to the trade, was San Diego's third-round pick out of Duke in the 2022 draft. The 21-year-old has spent his first professional season at Single-A Lake Elsinore, where he's posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 21 walks in 12 starts.
Rios, 21, was signed by the Padres out of his native Mexico in January. He's made 16 relief appearances for San Diego's Dominican Summer League affiliate this year and has yet to pitch professionally in the United States.
