Johnny Barbato


We all tend to focus on the stars, the dominating players, the guys who generate headlines. Yesterday afternoon, I noticed that the Pirates had designated pitcher Johnny Barbato for assignment.
The fastballing reliever made the Yankees in 2016 after an impressive spring training. And even though he struck out more than a batter an inning, an ERA on the wrong side of 7 meant a demotion to Triple A after just 13 games with the Bronx Bombers. He never returned to Yankee Stadium.
After failing to make the 2017 Yanks, he was traded midseason to the Pirates, where he had a couple of major league hitches, but didn't make a strong enough impression.
Thursday, he was cut to make room for another prospect.
Now comes the waiting game as Barbato waits for a chance to catch on with another organization.


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