Yankees Prospect Report: Barrett Loseke

Barrett Loseke is a right-handed pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. The Yankees drafted Loseke in the 17th round (517th overall) in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft, signing him for $125,000 out of the University of Arkansas. The 6’0 170 lbs reliever was one of the top Arkansas pitchers out of the bullpen over the last 2 years, also serving as a midweek starter. In his collegiate career, Loseke posted a 8-5 record with a 3.13 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 110 innings of work. His biggest year was 2018, when he struck out 68 and and posted an era of 2.68 in 53 ⅔ innings.

I spoke with Barrett at the New York Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, FL and asked him what he thinks led to his remarkable 2018 season:

“I depended mostly on a fastball but it worked. I trusted my defense behind me and knew if I threw strikes that they would get the outs for me and even if I struggled I knew there were the guys that could come in from the bullpen.”

Credit-Alan Jamison

Loseke throws a low-to-mid 90’s fastball with late run, a change-up, curve, and slider. He is fastball heavy with his pitch selection and tells me he is constantly working on his curve as well as slider and rarely pulls out his change, which is clocked in the low 80’s.

His 2018 Arkansas Razorback team went 48-21 overall and 18-12 in SEC play. Following dominant sweeps in both Regionals and Super Regionals, the Razorbacks punched there ticket to Omaha with a win over South Carolina. Wins against Texas and Texas Tech sent them to the championship series to face Florida. The series went seven games, and concluded with a Florida win.

“Yeah of course it stinks to come up short and not get the win but it was a great experience and great time with the teammates and all the Arkansas fans there. Having family and friends and everyone…It sunk in how great of an experience it was and I really wish I could go back…But im just really thankful for the opportunity I had and the time with teammates and the memories that we created.”

credit- Barrett Loseke

On June 6, just two days prior to the start of Regionals, Loseke was selected by the New York Yankees with their 17th round pick.

“It was a stressful time considering we had Regionals coming up that weekend…They called and I was obviously really excited but at the time I was just focused on what was going on at Arkansas and I knew that professional baseball would be something that came after the postseason run.”

Loseke was sent to the Yankees Player Development Complex in Tampa, FL. There, he was assigned to the Yankees rookie league squad, the GCL Yankees East. In 10 appearances, all out of the bullpen, Barrett struck out 10 and posted a 3.60 ERA over 10 innings. Loseke will likely either begin the 2019 season with the Class-A Charleston Riverdogs or be kept in extended spring training and sent to the Staten Island Yankees when they begin their season in mid June.

“Its been great so far…im just looking forward to spring training.”