Former Hokie Barker called up to the majors

Former Virginia Tech baseball player Kevin Barker was called up to the major leagues on Friday by the Cincinnati Reds following a trade that sent Reds' shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox.

Barker, who had hit 22 homers in 100 games for the Louisville Bats this season, played three seasons for the Hokies from 1994-96 before getting drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers following his All-American junior season. He was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year in 1996 after batting .361 with 20 home runs and 62 runs batted in.

This will be Barker's fourth stint in the majors, as he also previously saw time with the Brewers, the Padres and the Blue Jays. Click here for an article on Barker on the Cincinnati Reds' Web site.

Barker becomes the fourth former Hokie in the majors this season, joining Angels' pitcher Joe Saunders, Indians' catcher Wyatt Toregas and Tigers' pitching coach Rick Knapp.