UConn's Matt Barnes Gets Called Up to Majors by the Boston Red Sox

Matt Barnes, former UConn baseball player and Bethel High School graduate, was promoted to the major leagues by the Boston Red Sox on Monday, Sept. 8.

Barnes, 24, was a first-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2011. In high school, he was named to the All-Star team, but wasn’t chosen in the Major League draft. Soon after, he enrolled at the University of Connecticut, playing for the UConn Huskies Baseball team. With a 95 mile per hour fastball, it comes as no surprise that in 2011 he was named Big East Pitcher of the Year.

When he played for UConn from 2009-11, Barnes set a record with 247 strikeouts in 256.2 career innings, winning 24 games. Barnes was a First Team All-American and Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist in his junior season at UConn.

Barnes was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket and will wear No. 68. He will be available Monday night when the Red Sox begin a series with the Baltimore Orioles. Barnes played in 23 games (22 starts) for the PawSox this season, posting an 8-9 record with a 3.95 ERA and 103 strikeouts, according to NESN.

Barnes received the good news Sunday night and told ESPN, “I’m very happy. This is where we all want to be. This has been my dream since I was a young kid. To be able to finally get up here, it’s awesome.”

Photo: WEII Sports