Kevin Barry, High School South alumnus, got a longawaited call to the major leagues on Saturday, June 24. ##M:[more]## The Atlanta Braves called on the 28-year-old pitcher to replace relief pitcher Phil Stockman, who suffered a hamstring injury.
Barry made his major league debut on the mound at fabled Yankee Stadium and performed well in a loss. He was brought in after the Yankees held a 5-1 lead, and held them scoreless for three innings, allowing only two hits and one walk.
Barry, who lives in Cream Ridge with his wife Samantha, was sent back to Richmond when closer
Chris Reitsma was activated from the DL. He barely had made it back to the team when he was called up again. Reitsma re-injured his arm,
and Barry again became a major league pitcher. He pitched two more scoreless innings, again in relief, and again in a losing effort, against the Cardinals on July 4. He struck out two, and walked none.
Barry has been in the Braves’ minor league system for five years. He was drafted by the organization
in the 14th round in 2001. This year as a member of the Richmond Braves, Barry recorded 63 strikeouts and a 3.26 ERA in 77 1/2 innings. He had a stretch of 19 scoreless innings last year.
The right-hander attended Rider University, stands 6’2, and is listed at 235 pounds. He is the first WWP player to make it to the major
leagues since catcher Bill Schroeder played in the 1980s and early ’90s for Milwaukee and California Angels. Schroeder is currently a TV announcer for the Brewers.
