| Johnny Barbato | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Barbato with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-07-11)July 11, 1992 (age 33) Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 5, 2016, for the New York Yankees | |
| NPB: April 2, 2019, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB statistics (through 2018 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–3 |
| Earned run average | 6.14 |
| Strikeouts | 40 |
| NPB statistics (through 2019 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–5 |
| Earned run average | 5.56 |
| Strikeouts | 49 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
John Edward Barbato (/bɑːrˈbeɪtoʊ/bar-BAY-toh;[1] born July 11, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates,New York Yankees, andDetroit Tigers, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Barbato attendedFelix Varela High School inMiami,Florida. He received a scholarship from theUniversity of Florida.
TheSan Diego Padres selected Barbato in the sixth round, with the 184th overall selection, of the2010 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with San Diego rather than attend college.[2] He made his professional debut in 2011 with the Low–AEugene Emeralds, posting a 4.89 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 15 appearances (13 starts).[3] Barbato spent the 2012 season with the Single–AFort Wayne TinCaps, making 48 appearances out of thebullpen and logging a 6–1 record and 1.84 ERA with 84 strikeouts across73+1⁄3 innings.[4]
In 2013, Barbato made 49 appearances for the High–ALake Elsinore Storm, registering a 5.01 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 14saves across 88 innings pitched.[5] He made 27 relief outings for the Double–ASan Antonio Missions in 2014, recording a 2.87 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 16 saves across31+1⁄3 innings of work.[6]
On December 29, 2014, the Padres traded Barbato to theNew York Yankees in exchange forShawn Kelley.[7] He made 40 appearances split between the Double–ATrenton Thunder and Triple–AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, accumulating a 6–2 record and 2.67 ERA with 70 strikeouts in67+1⁄3 innings. The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.[8]
Barbato made his major league debut on April 5, 2016. He was optioned down to Triple–A Scranton on May 9,[9] recalled on August 4, and sent back again on August 6. In 13 games with the Yankees in 2016, Barbato had a 1–2 record with a 7.62 ERA.
Barbato was assigned to Triple–A Scranton to begin the 2017 season. On April 13, 2017, he wasdesignated for assignment following the promotion ofJordan Montgomery.[10]
On April 17, 2017, Barbato was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Matt Frawley.[11][12] In 24 relief appearances for the Pirates, Barbato posted a 4.08 ERA with 23 strikeouts in28+2⁄3 innings.
On January 11, 2018, Barbato was claimed off waivers by theDetroit Tigers.[13] After starting the season with the Triple–AToledo Mud Hens, Barbato was called up on April 26 and made his Tigers debut the following night against theBaltimore Orioles.[14] Barbato was next called up on May 30.[15] He was called up again on June 20.[16] After giving up five earned runs in less than an inning two days later, Barbato was placed on the 10-day disabled list with shoulder tightness.[17] He failed to mention previously that the injury had been bothering him all season, which left managerRod Gardenhire somewhat perplexed since he asked to throw a light bullpen session earlier that day.[18] He was designated for assignment on September 11.[19] He was sent outright to the Toledo Mud Hens after clearing waivers two days later.[20] Barbato elected free agency on November 2.[21]
On December 20, 2018, Barbato signed with theHokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ofNippon Professional Baseball.[22] In 15 appearances for the team, he compiled a 2-2 record and 5.63 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 32 innings of work. On October 11, 2019, the Fighters announced that Barbato would not be re-signed for the 2020 season.[23] On October 18, he became a free agent.[24]
On January 27, 2020, Barbato signed with theSomerset Patriots of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. Barbato did not appear for the club in 2020 due to the cancellation of the ALPB season because to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In July, Barbato signed on to play for the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of theConstellation Energy League (a makeshift 4-team independent league created as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic) for the 2020 season.[25] Barbato became a free agent after the year.
On January 27, 2021, Barbato signed with theLincoln Saltdogs of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.[26] Barbato recorded a 0.90 ERA in two appearances for the Saltdogs, striking out 12 in 10 innings of work.
On June 1, 2021, Barbato's contract was purchased by theToronto Blue Jays organization.[27] In 17 appearances (13 starts) for the Double-ANew Hampshire Fisher Cats, he logged a 3-4 record and 4.35 ERA with 67 strikeouts across70+1⁄3 innings pitched. Barbato elected free agency following the season on November 7.[28]
On April 21, 2022, Barbato signed with theHigh Point Rockers of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[29] Barbato did not make an appearance for the Rockers before retiring from professional baseball on July 24.[30]
On July 27, 2024, Barbato was activated as a player for theStaten Island FerryHawks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball, while concurrently serving as the club's pitching coach.[31] He was released on July 30, without appearing in a game.[32]
On July 2, 2025, Barbato signed with thePiratas de Campeche of theMexican League.[33] He made three appearances (one start) for Campeche, posting an 0-1 record and 5.79 ERA with three strikeouts over4+2⁄3 innings pitched. Barbato was released by the Piratas on July 11.[34]
On July 11, 2025, Barbato signed with theTigres de Quintana Roo of theMexican League.[35] In six appearances (one start) for Quintana Roo, he struggled to an 0-2 record and 8.22 ERA with six strikeouts across7+2⁄3 innings pitched. Barbato was released by the Tigres on July 31.[36]
On February 7, 2024, Barbato was hired to serve as the pitching coach for theStaten Island FerryHawks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[37]
