Florida baseball secured their sixth transfer portal commitment of the offseason when Clemson right-handed pitcher Billy Barlow committed to the Gators on Friday morning. Barlow had visited the campus earlier in the week.
“Let’s work,” Barlow posted on X (Twitter).
In the 2024 season, Barlow held a 6-1 record over 15 appearances, including 10 starts. He primarily served as Clemson’s midweek starter but also pitched from the bullpen during weekends. The 6’2, 215-pound pitcher maintained a 4.48 ERA across 48.1 innings, holding opposing teams to a .259 batting average. He struck out 42 batters and walked 20 during that span.
Barlow, a North Myrtle Beach High School graduate and South Carolina native, played a significant role as a true freshman for the Tigers in 2022. He started as a midweek pitcher before moving to the weekend rotation later in the season. That year, he posted a 4.84 ERA in 17 appearances, including 15 starts, striking out 57 batters and walking 22 over 57.2 innings. He allowed just five home runs, one triple, and eight doubles in those innings.
His promising freshman season caught MLB scouts’ attention entering his sophomore year. Barlow was ranked the No. 112 starting pitcher in the nation in the preseason and the No. 35 ACC prospect for the 2024 draft by D1Baseball. However, he missed most of the 2023 season due to an injury and received a medical redshirt after making only three appearances.
Barlow is Florida’s second pitcher addition of the offseason, joining SoCon Pitcher of the Year Michael Ross, who is draft eligible and may leave for the Major Leagues. Barlow is also draft eligible and has two years of eligibility remaining.
You might remember Barlow from his appearance against Florida in the thrilling 13-inning game during Clemson’s Super Regional, where he pitched 0.2 innings, striking out one batter, allowing no runs or hits, and walking two.
I expect Barlow to contribute to Florida’s bullpen on the weekends or possibly continue as a midweek starter, where he has gained the most experience throughout his collegiate career.
