Jacob Barnes

Jacob Andrew Barnes (born April 14, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Amateur career
Barnes graduated from St. Petersburg High School. He enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University and played college baseball for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. In 2011, his junior year, he had a 1–4 win–loss record with a 4.58 earned run average (ERA) in 55 innings pitched. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft and he signed.

Milwaukee Brewers
After signing, Barnes made his professional debut with the Helena Brewers where he was 2–1 with a 2.12 ERA in 29$2⁄3$ relief innings pitched. In 2012, he played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers where he pitched to a 4–7 record and a 3.84 ERA in 25 games (seven starts), and in 2013, he pitched with the Brevard County Manatees where he was 9–6 with a 3.08 ERA in 21 games (14 starts). Barnes began 2014 with Brevard County, and after compiling a 1.23 ERA in 7$1⁄3$ innings, he was promoted to the Huntsville Stars and he finished the season there with a 2–6 record and 4.26 ERA in 23 games (21 being starts). In 2015, he pitched for the Biloxi Shuckers where he compiled a 4–5 record and a 3.36 ERA in 39 games including six starts.

The Brewers added Barnes to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season. He began 2016 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

After posting a 1.21 ERA over 17 games for the Sky Sox, the Brewers promoted Barnes to the major leagues on June 2, 2016. He made his major league debut the next day, and spent the remainder of the season with Milwaukee. In 26$2⁄3$ innings pitched in relief, he was 0–1 with a 2.70 ERA. In 2017, Barnes returned to Milwaukee and posted a 3–4 record and a 4.00 ERA in 73 relief appearances in his first full major league season.

Barnes returned to Milwaukee's bullpen to begin 2018. However, after pitching to a 12.00 ERA in his first four outings in May, he was optioned to Colorado Springs on May 12. He was recalled on May 27.

On August 1, 2019, Barnes was designated for assignment after posting an ERA of 6.86 in $19 2/3$ innings.

Kansas City Royals
On August 3, 2019, Barnes was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. Barnes was designated for assignment on November 4 and was released on November 6.

Los Angeles Angels
On January 22, 2020, Barnes signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels. On July 23, 2020, Barnes had his contract selected to the 40-man and active rosters. He pitched to a 5.50 ERA over 18 games for the Angels in 2020.

New York Mets
On October 30, 2020, Barnes was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets. In 19 appearances for the Mets, Barnes struggled to a 6.27 ERA in 18$2⁄3$ innings of work before being designated for assignment on June 14, 2021.

Toronto Blue Jays
On June 19, 2021, Barnes was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Troy Miller. Barnes was designated for assignment by Toronto on July 26 after posting a 6.00 ERA in 9 appearances with the team. On August 2, Barnes was outrighted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On September 29, Barnes was re-selected to the 40-man roster. Barnes was again designated for assignment on October 20, and elected free agency two days later.

Detroit Tigers
On December 1, 2021, the Detroit Tigers signed Barnes to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. After initially being sent to minor league camp during spring training, Barnes was called back to the major league camp and made the opening day roster. On June 13, 2022, the Tigers designated Barnes for assignment. He was released by the Tigers on June 18, 2022.

Seattle Mariners
On June 22, 2022, the Seattle Mariners signed Barnes to a minor league contract. He was promoted to the major league roster on July 9. He was designated for assignment on July 11 without appearing in a game for Seattle. He cleared waivers and elected free agency on July 18.

Detroit Tigers (second stint)
On July 26, 2022, the Detroit Tigers signed Barnes to a minor league contract. He was then assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens. He was given his release on August 26.

New York Yankees
On August 31, 2022, the New York Yankees signed Barnes to a minor league contract. He pitched for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The Yankees promoted Barnes to the major leagues on October 1. He was designated for assignment the next day and outrighted back the RailRiders on October 4. On October 24, Barnes elected free agency.

Texas Rangers
On January 18, 2023, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization. He made 13 appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, working to a 2.21 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 1 save in 20$1⁄3$ innings of work. Barnes was released by the Rangers on May 21.

Philadelphia Phillies
On May 30, 2023, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. In 11 games for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he posted a 4.15 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 1 save in 13 innings of work. On July 10, Barnes was released by Philadelphia.

St. Louis Cardinals
On July 19, 2023, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In 11 games for the Triple–A Memphis Redbirds, he posted a 1.53 ERA with 16 strikeouts in $17 2⁄3$ innings pitched. On August 22, the Cardinals selected Barnes' contract, adding him to the major league roster.

In 13 games for St. Louis, he recorded a 5.93 ERA with 18 hits and 8 strikeouts in $13 2⁄3$ innings pitched. Following the season on October 30, Barnes was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Memphis. However, Barnes subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.

Washington Nationals
On February 16, 2024, Barnes signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. After seven scoreless appearances for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, Barnes was added to Washington's major league roster on April 23.

Personal life
Barnes is married to his wife, Sophia, and the couple has two children: Lily and Maisy. Maisy was born on May 13, 2016. Lily Isabella was born on July 29, 2022.