Barraclough arrives at Busch, but not with Cards
ST. LOUIS -- Before getting his first big league opportunity, Kyle Barraclough learned to expect the unexpected in professional baseball.
The hard-throwing right-hander, selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2012 Draft, stepped foot inside Busch Stadium for the first time on Friday. He entered as a reliever for the Marlins.
"Less than a month ago, I was hoping I'd be here in September or something, with this team," Barraclough said of the Cardinals. "Now I'm here with another team. It's just how baseball works. It's pretty crazy. It's definitely a big coincidence."
The Marlins acquired Barraclough for reliever Steve Cishek on July 24. On Friday, it was time for old friends to catch up. Miami players interacted with Cishek, while Barraclough experienced facing the organization that drafted him.
"It's been fun to rekindle some old friendships," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "It's got to be a big moment for Barraclough to know he's coming here from the organization that traded him. I'm sure when he gets that opportunity, he wants to show them, 'Hey guys, look what you could have had.'"
Barraclough picked up his first big league win on Wednesday in Miami's 14-6 win over the Red Sox at Marlins Park.
Barraclough pitched for three Minor League teams this season before being called up by the Marlins on Aug. 7. He opened the season at Class A and pitched at Double-A in both St. Louis' and Miami's systems.
In 38 Minor League games, he struck out 60 in 43 2/3 innings. Command, however, is crucial, as he walked 30.
During his time with the Cardinals, Barraclough was taught the importance of execution.
"Take care of the little things," he said. "The natural talent will take care of itself. You've always got to keep perfecting your craft. The game will humble you quickly. You've just got to keep working and working, no matter how much success you're having.
"I'd say that's the biggest thing, just to show up every day like you didn't do anything the day before."