Barco set for opening day relief role: 'Whatever it takes to win'
Hunter Barco has made the opening day roster and will join the Pirates as a reliever for their season-opening trip to New York this week. Barco, who made his major-league debut out of the bullpen at the end of last season, started two of the five games he appeared in this spring, allowing four runs (three earned) in 11 2/3 innings. He struck out 15 batters and walked eight.
"Just really improved my arsenal this year and just went out there and competed," said Barco, who ended his spring by throwing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the Pirates' 5-2 loss to the Braves here today at LECOM Park. "Everything I did put me in a good position. They decided that I’m one of the best guys to help the team win."
Despite being built up as a starter this spring, Barco said it wasn't difficult at all to accept a relief role on the major-league roster.
"It’s whatever it takes to win," Barco said. "I’m a competitor. Whatever my job needs to be, that’s what I’m gonna do. Maybe start some day down the road, but right now it’s go out there and take the ball whenever it’s given to me. Built up to go five or six right now. If I’m needed to do that, whenever the time comes, I’m able to."
Barco won't go into opening day not knowing what to expect considering he's already debuted and has a few innings of major-league experience under his belt. Now, the inevitable jitters that any aspiring big leaguer deals with won't be a factor once the real games begin.
"Definitely know what it’s like now," Barco said. "It’s addicting up there. You want to be back. I’m excited to get back there. It’s gonna be really cool. After that’s done, it’s baseball. It’s time to go win some games."
THE ASYLUM
Barco set for opening day relief role: 'Whatever it takes to win'
Hunter Barco has made the opening day roster and will join the Pirates as a reliever for their season-opening trip to New York this week. Barco, who made his major-league debut out of the bullpen at the end of last season, started two of the five games he appeared in this spring, allowing four runs (three earned) in 11 2/3 innings. He struck out 15 batters and walked eight.
"Just really improved my arsenal this year and just went out there and competed," said Barco, who ended his spring by throwing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the Pirates' 5-2 loss to the Braves here today at LECOM Park. "Everything I did put me in a good position. They decided that I’m one of the best guys to help the team win."
Despite being built up as a starter this spring, Barco said it wasn't difficult at all to accept a relief role on the major-league roster.
"It’s whatever it takes to win," Barco said. "I’m a competitor. Whatever my job needs to be, that’s what I’m gonna do. Maybe start some day down the road, but right now it’s go out there and take the ball whenever it’s given to me. Built up to go five or six right now. If I’m needed to do that, whenever the time comes, I’m able to."
Barco won't go into opening day not knowing what to expect considering he's already debuted and has a few innings of major-league experience under his belt. Now, the inevitable jitters that any aspiring big leaguer deals with won't be a factor once the real games begin.
"Definitely know what it’s like now," Barco said. "It’s addicting up there. You want to be back. I’m excited to get back there. It’s gonna be really cool. After that’s done, it’s baseball. It’s time to go win some games."
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