Glen Barker

Glen F. Barker (born May 10, 1971) is an American former outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played three seasons for the Houston Astros. He was a leadoff hitter who was known for his defensive skills and was used mainly as a pinch runner. He has the rare distinction of having more major league career runs scored (53) than hits (38). Barker is also one of only seven players to have had more career games appearances than plate appearances. He currently serves as a scout for the Astros.

Career Barker attended Albany High School and the College of Saint Rose, an NCAA Division II school in one of the only college conferences to use wood bats throughout the league's season.

Barker was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th Round (305th overall) of the 1993 amateur entry draft. Known for his speed on the basepaths (238 career minor league stolen bases) and in center field, Barker advanced as far as Triple A with the Toledo Mud Hens, but was selected by the Houston Astros from the Tigers in the 1998 MLB Rule 5 draft. Per Rule 5, he spent the 1999 season on the Astros' roster.

Because of his last name, Barker gained temporary distinction as one of the Astros' "Killer B's", which included first baseman Jeff Bagwell and second baseman Craig Biggio, two formidable veteran players who helped established the Astros as perennial playoff contenders in the 1990s and 2000s. In fact, journalist Dayn Perry jocosely noted the 1999 Astros, "in pursuit of arcane history, used eight players whose last names began with 'B.'" The eight included Bagwell, Paul Bako, Barker, Derek Bell, Sean Bergman, Lance Berkman, Biggio, and Tim Bogar.

Successful in very limited playing time, the Astros used Barker mostly as a pinch runner and sometimes as a pinch hitter. Barker played in 81 games, made 90 plate appearances and batted .288 with a .384 on-base percentage and 17 stolen bases that season. He scored 23 runs while having 21 hits. He was the outfield/baserunning coordinator for the San Diego Padres. Barker also served as the hitting coach for the Somerset Patriots.