Nearly four years ago the Red Sox used their first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2011 MLB Draft on University of Connecticut pitcher Matt Barnes. The pick came while Barnes and UConn teammate George Springer, who was taken by the Houston Astros with the 11th overall pick, were playing in an NCAA Regional game against Clemson. Springer has enjoyed a great deal of success in Houston, with a breakout 2014 season at the plate (20 HR in 295 AB) and some phenomenal defense early this season.

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Now, it’s time for Barnes to make his mark.

A Bethel, CT native, Barnes was called up a few times to the big leagues in 2014, compiling 11 hits over 9 total innings of relief appearances with a 4.00 ERA. Getting reps in the majors did Barnes well, but it came at a time when the Red Sox had no chance at the post-season, and manager John Farrell was rotating in a plethora of young position players and pitchers to gain experience. Nevertheless, Barnes remained high on the prospect list for Farrell, but had improvements to make before becoming a serious candidate for the 25-man roster.

Barnes turned a few heads during Spring Training this season, especially after his tremendous outing on the Red Sox’s Grapefruit League opener against the Twins. He tossed two scoreless innings, striking out three, and flashed eye-opening velocity Farrell was pleased with.

“I don’t have a whole lot of history with Matt Barnes, but that was a different guy than even what we saw in September,” Farrell said following Barnes’ outing. “Sometimes, you look for silver linings in an otherwise frustrating year, and talking with Matt Barnes, he has a better understanding of who he is as a pitcher, what’s required at the major league level, and the constant focus and concentration needed. And he went out and demonstrated some of the things he learned last year. I’ve never seen that velocity from him. Breaking ball much tighter. He was a different guy last night.”

After his spring success Barnes nearly made the Sox’ Opening Day roster as a reliever, but was one of the final cuts. His fastball hit as high as 97, his breaking balls appeared to be much tighter, yet he was optioned down to Triple-A Pawtucket to continue his work as a starter. So far this season with the PawSox, he’s given up five runs over eight innings, striking out six.

Fast-forward to Saturday night. The Red Sox placed right fielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list before their game against the Baltimore Orioles, and Barnes got the call.

“The one thing we’ve talked about is not being inconsistent with the role going forward,” Farrell said before the game about Barnes getting called up. “The fact is today is his normal start day so he’s available for multiple innings. We’re cognizant of not wanting to flip flop back and forth but at the same time he’s a talented guy that we feel like can help us win now.”

His role was to come in and help out an overworked bullpen, which is second in the American League in innings pitched this season. Boston starters this year, as expected, have really struggled.

Who didn’t struggle was Barnes, who threw two strong scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th. After a Xander Bogaerts home run in the top of the 10th put the Red Sox ahead, Barnes was in line to get the win, which would have been the first of his major-league career. But when he was relieved by Koji Uehara in the bottom of the 10th, Uehara gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly followed by a walk-off home run, and the Red Sox would fall 5-4.

While Boston didn’t get the win, Barnes did the job he was asked to do. After the game, he was optioned back down to Triple-A Pawtucket so that he could continue in his regular every-fifth-day rotation as a starter. However, it was another positive notch in his belt that will only help him earn more appearances for the club and give Farrell more difficult roster decisions moving forward.

“What our bullpen needs is some power and swing-and-miss ability, and he provided that,” Farrell said after the outing.

Farrell has said he is pleased with Barnes’ ability to come in and give relief in short stints throughout the season. But with the starting pitching struggling of late and the bullpen being stretched thin, we could see him having a more consistent role with the team. He’s a hard-working kid that has improved tremendously over the past year, and it’s nice to follow a home-grown talent who could have a major impact on a contending club this season and into the future.