Scott Barczi defended well at Harrisburg, saw 4 pro seasons

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Scott Barczi 1990 Harrisburg Senators card
Asked in July 1990 who the best defensive catcher in the Eastern League was, Reading Phillies radio broadcaster Randy Stevens had trouble coming up with an answer, according to The Reading Eagle.

"Boy, there's so many great defensive catchers," Stevens told The Eagle.

Though he picked the hometown Reading catcher, the first catcher he named for The Eagle was the one from Harrisburg, Scott Barczi.

Barczi was in his fourth professional season that year, his first at AA. His defense, though, couldn't carry him. He hit just .197 on the year. It was his final season as a pro.

Barczi's career began in 1987, taken by the Pirates in the 10th round out of Northwestern University.

At Northwestern, Barczi knocked a run-scoring double in a March 1987 game. He left with 58 stolen bases on his collegiate career, then good for third all-time at the school. It's still good for fifth best. His 11 career triples are still good for a tie for third all-time.

With the Pirates, Barczi started at short-season Watertown. He hit .308, with 15 stolen bases.

He moved to single-A Augusta for 1988, but hit just .214 there while stealing 16. He went 1 for 4 in a June game, with a run scored.

For 1989, he played at single-A Salem. He got into a game that spring, getting a run-scoring triple. He knocked in a run on an April single then two runs on a single in May.

Barczi moved up to AA Harrisburg for 1990. In 86 games, though, he didn't hit .200. He also knocked in just 17 and stole a single base, ending his career.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,713
Made the Majors: 822 - 48.0%
Never Made Majors: 891-52.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 357
10+ Seasons in the Minors:205

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