Yankees acquire RHP Johnny Barbato from San Diego
The New York Yankees today announced they have acquired RHP Johnny Barbato from the San Diego Padres in exchange for RHP Shawn Kelley.
Barbato, 22, spent the entire 2014 season with Double-A San Antonio, going 2-2 with 16 saves and a 2.87 ERA (31.1IP, 26H, 10ER, 10BB, 33K) in 27 relief appearances. He produced 22 scoreless outings, including 15 straight from April 24 - May 27 (16.1IP). Barbato surrendered 4ER in 1.2IP on April 20 at Midland, but he recorded a 1.82 ERA (29.2IP, 6ER) in his other 26 games.
A 2014 Texas League mid-season All-Star selection, Barbato averaged 9.48 strikeouts per 9.0IP and held opponents to a .226 batting average (26-for-115) last season. He was particularly effective against left-handed batters, who hit only .196 (10-for-51) without recording an extra-base hit. Barbato tied for second in the Texas League in saves, converting each of his final 11 opportunities and 16-of-18 overall.
Selected by San Diego in the sixth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Felix Varela High School in Miami, Fla., Barbato spent each of his first four professional seasons in the Padres organization. He has made 139 minor league appearances (20 starts), going 12-13 with 33 saves and a 3.79 ERA (249.2IP, 220H, 105ER, 105BB, 256K).
Kelley, 30, was 3-6 with four saves and a 4.53 ERA (51.2IP, 26ER) in a career-high 59 relief appearances with the Yankees in 2014. Originally selected by the Mariners in the 13th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, he was acquired by the Yankees from Seattle in exchange for OF Abraham Almonte on February 13, 2013. In 236 Major League relief appearances, Kelley is 17-17 with a 3.94 ERA (233.0IP, 102ER).
The Yankees' 40-man roster now stands at 39.