Brian Barden


Brian David Barden is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, and Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball, and for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Early life

Barden went to St. Pius X Elementary School and attended St. Augustine High School in San Diego's North Park neighborhood and Oregon State University. In 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Barden was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks on April 3, 2007 against the Colorado Rockies, grounding out as a pinch hitter. His first hit was a single to center field off Shawn Hill of the Washington Nationals on April 8. That was his only hit in 6 at-bats for the Diamondbacks in the 8 games he played for them in 2007, with the rest of his time being spent with the AAA Tucson Sidewinders.

St. Louis Cardinals

He was selected off waivers by St. Louis Cardinals on August 13, 2007.
Barden was batting.295 with nine home runs and 35 RBI for the Cardinals' Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, when his season was ended as the result of being named to the USA Olympic Baseball Team.
On May 5, 2009, he was named NL Rookie of the Month for April.

Florida Marlins

On December 14, 2009, Barden signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. He was added to the Major League roster on April 3, but designated for assignment on July 3, 2010.

Texas Rangers

For the 2011 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers and played for the AAA Round Rock Express before opting out on July 1.

Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Brian signed a 1-year contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball on July 18, 2011. He played in 64 games and hit.281.

Los Angeles Dodgers

He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 5, 2013 and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. He played in 123 games and hit.277, while playing primarily third base.

Piratas de Campeche

On April 1, 2014, Barden signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on April 14, 2014.

Leones de Yucatan

On March 31, 2014, Barden signed with the Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on May 29, 2014.

Somerset Patriots

On June 10, 2014, Barden signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2014 season.