one more comment, lots of talk about needing another starting pitcher. seems this is only of import/interest if folks expect to contend all the way. if not, why bother? i agree with those saying better to gamble the money on porcello et al than give it to lohse or weaver, UNLESS you plan to out together a truly competitive team. since competitive seems a low priority, i’d rather give a few of the younger pitchers a little exposure.

I too think the aerospace engineering/school stuff is a bit overblown. All D1 athletes had it tough from a time standpoint with the major and playing a sport–I don’t mean to downplay it but whether it was mechanical engineering, journalism, or education it was tough for them all.

“most expected him to take a high-paying job at Boeing with his aerospace engineering degree”

Were scouts really that foolish? Working for Boeing may be “high-paying” in comparison to a sports journalist or an MLB scout, but it’s something you can always fall back if the baseball thing doesn’t work out. He’d be crazy not to give baseball a shot, esp if they give him a ~50k bonus (which is about what he’d make at Boeing his first year).

I can definitely sympathize with what he went through academically, though. I did the “aero engr/div I” sports thing (wrestling) and between practicing 3-4 hours a night after class and traveling every weekend/one night a week it was murder. I watched the sun come up about 4 times a week and still barely got through it. Grad school + work was cake by comparison.

Anyway, lets hope Barton comes to spring training with “chips on both shoulders”…

Good to get a little more background on this guy. I’m really high on him, and would like to see him perform well enough to lead off everyday. If he can put up an OBP above .360 and play solid CF defense, he’s exactly what the Cards need.