The 2021 Major League Baseball season is over as the Atlanta Braves were crowned World Series Champions after defeating the Houston Astros. In total, seven Santa Clarita players played in MLB games this season, going out and making Santa Clarita proud.

Scott Barlow (Golden Valley ‘11), had his best Big League season in 2021. 2021 was Barlow’s best MLB season yet. The 28-year-old relief pitcher appeared in 71 games for the Kansas City Royals, totaling 74.1 innings with a 2.42 ERA. In July, he stepped into the closing role for the Royals. He ended the season with 16 saves in 22 opportunities, including a perfect 6-for-6 in September. There was some speculation that the Royals may trade Barlow at the trade deadline, however, they decided to keep him in Kansas City and he is set to become a key fixture in their bullpen.

Zack Britton, who was born in Santa Clarita, started his 2021 season injured, but returned to the Yankees bullpen in mid-June. Britton appeared in 22 games this season, but struggled. He had a 5.89 ERA and opposing hitters hit .262 against him. His lone save of the season came on August 11 against Kansas City, where Britton pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Pat Valaika (Hart ‘10) appeared in 90 games this season for the Baltimore Orioles, making 73 starts. The versatile Valaika made 58 of those 73 starts at his primary position, second base. He also made 11 starts at shortstop, three at first base, and one at third base, while also making a few in-game appearances in the outfield and even two at pitcher. On the season, Valaika tallied 52 hits in 259 at-bats, with eight of the hits being doubles and five being home runs.

Keston Hiura (Valencia ‘14) came into the 2021 season with high expectations, and the young slugger was not able to meet them. He spent much of the season moving between the Big Leagues and Triple-A. While in the Majors, Hiura hit just .168 with four home runs. In the last two months of the season, he made just two appearances, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single in one game, and then pinch-running and stealing a base in the other.

Tyler Glasnow (Hart ‘11) had his season cut short due to an elbow injury in June. Unfortunately, for Glasnow, this injury will also likely keep him out for the 2022 season as he will be recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite the injury,  Glasnow was able to make 14 starts this season. He posted a 5-2 record and a 2.66 ERA in this time, while also being among the league leaders in strikeouts until he went down.

Tommy Milone (Saugus ‘05) was sidelined in May with a shoulder injury in his throwing arm and did not pitch in the Majors after. On the season, Milone made 6 appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays, five out of the bullpen and one start, posting a 6.43 ERA through 14 innings.

Trever Bauer (Hart ‘08) was placed on administrative leave on July 2 and remained out for the rest of the regular and post season. On the season he has a 8-5 record over 17 stats with a 2.59 ERA and 137 strikeouts. Bauer had the option to opt-out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but decided to remain with the team for the 2022 season, however, his status remains unknown.

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