Due to an organizational rule, Boston pitching prospect Matt Barnes lasted just one inning during his Double-A debut Monday night, but was still able to make a quick impression. Barnes recorded all three outs via strikeout, but was pulled after 33 pitches -- the Red Sox have capped their young arms at 30 pitches per inning and remove the pitcher from the game if he hits that total.
"I liked what I saw," pitching coach Bob Kipper told the Portland Press Herald. "That's electric stuff."
Barnes, considered the team's top pitching prospect by MLB.com, was on the hook for two runs and two hits while showcasing solid velocity on his fastball and improved off-speed pitches. Of his 33 pitches, 21 went for strikes.
"That's not how you draw up your first one, but overall I can't be too upset," said Barnes, who posted a tantalizing 133-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio across two Class A levels last season in his first professional campaign. "If I have stuff like that all year, I think it'll be pretty good."