Florida baseball landed their 6th transfer portal commitment of the offseason when Clemson RHP Billy Barlow pledged to the Gators on Friday morning. Barlow was on campus for a visit earlier in the week.
“Let’s work,” Barlow posted on X (Twitter).
Barlow posted a 6-1 record on 15 appearances including 10 starts in 2024, primarily serving as Clemson’s midweek starter but also pitching on the bullpen during weekends. The 6’2, 215-pound right hander held a 4.48 ERA in 48.1 innings while holding opposing teams to a .259 batting average. Barlow struck out 42 batters and walked 20 in his 48.1 innings pitched.
The North Myrtle Beach High School product and South Carolina native had a large role as a true freshman for the Tigers in 2022, starting his career as a midweek pitcher before moving to the weekend rotation late in the season. Barlow pitched to a 4.84 ERA in 17 appearances including 15 starts, striking out 57 batters and walking 22 in 57.2 innings pitched. Barlow allowed just five home runs, one triple, and eight doubles in his 57.2 innings of work.
Barlow’s promising freshman season placed him on MLB radars entering his sophomore year, where the right hander ranked as the No. 112 starting pitcher in the nation in the preseason and the No. 35 ACC prospect for the 2024 draft in the preseason by D1Baseball. Barlow missed most of the 2023 season with an injury and received a medical redshirt after making just 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 has the option of leaving for the Bigs. Barlow is also draft eligible and has two years of eligibility.
You may remember Barlow from his appearance against Florida in the thrilling 13 inning game in Clemson’s Super Regional, where he tossed 0.2 innings and picked up one strikeout vs the Gators, allowing zero runs and zero hits while walking two batters.
I expect Barlow to play a role in Florida’s bullpen on the weekends, or perhaps remaining a midweek starter, where the right hander has seen the most work throughout his collegiate career.