Junior college commit Matt Barr signs with Twins

Matt Barr, a junior college right-handed pitcher commit for Tennessee who was drafted by the Twins, has signed his first professional contract.

According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, the hurler signed for $762,500, well over the slot value assigned for the pick ($475,000). Barr was drafted by Minnesota with the No. 149 overall pick in the fifth round and was considered a near lock to sign throughout the draft process.   

5th-rder Matt Barr signs w/@Twins for $762,500 (slot 149 value = $475,000). @NiagaraTwolves RHP, best junior college prospect in @MLBDraft, high spin rates on breaking balls that range from 82-87 mph and from curves to sliders to cutters, also fastball to 97. Tennessee commit. pic.twitter.com/6oIukb76iG

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 23, 2025

As a freshman for the SUNY Niagara Thunder Wolves this past spring, the hurler started all 10 of the games he appeared in, standing out with a 10-0 record and a 1.74 ERA across 57 innings pitched. He struck out 94 batters, walked 21 and owned a WHIP of 0.75. He allowed just one extra-base hit (double) of the 22 hits total he surrendered on the campaign.  

Barr is from Cheektowaga, NY where he attended Cheektowaga High School. He was considered the No. 1 ranked Junior College pitcher in the country in the midseason rankings.

Coming into draft weekend, Barr was tabbed as the No. 136 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 223 prospect by Baseball America.

Tennessee in the 2025 MLB Draft

*Denotes has signed with organization

Round 1 (No. 5 overall) Liam Doyle – Cardinals*
Round 1 (No. 9 overall) Steele Hall (signee) – Reds*
Round 1 (No. 10 overall) Billy Carlson (signee) – White Sox*
Round 1 (No. 13 overall) Gavin Kilen – Giants*
Round 1 (No. 20 overall) Andrew Fischer – Brewers
Round 1 (No. 25 overall) Kruz Schoolcraft (signee) – Padres
Round 1 (No. 33 overall) Marcus Phillips – Red Sox*
Round 2 (No. 52 overall) AJ Russell – Rangers*
Round 2 (No. 64 overall) Dean Curley – Guardians
Round 2 (No. 72 overall) Tanner Franklin – Cardinals*
Round 3 (No. 105 overall) Nate Snead – Angels*
Round 5 (No. 149 overall) Matt Barr (JUCO) – Twins*
Round 7 (No. 225 overall) Mason Estrada (portal) – Dodgers
Round 14 (No. 430 overall) Clay Edmondson (portal) – Padres
Round 15 (No. 456 overall) DJ Newman (portal) – Astros
Round 17 (No. 522 overall) Cannon Peebles – Guardians
Round 18 (No. 534 overall) Ethan Moore (signee) – Reds
Round 19 (No. 572 overall) Cameron Appenzeller (signee) – Mariners