After he dominated batters in low Single A Greenville - throwing 21 scoreless innings and allowing nine hits and four walks while striking out 34 in his first four starts - it was apparent that Matt Barnes was a prospect on the upward trajectory of a Saturn V rocket.

It was evident the 21-year-old righthander from Bethel, Conn., was going places.

Barnes wrapped up his fifth start for Greenville last Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out eight in 5 ⅔ innings innings at Lakewood, N.J., and after the no-decision, he earned a promotion to Single A Salem.

“I felt like I was able to fine-tune my mechanics and be more consistent across the board with all my pitches,’’ Barnes said. “I was extremely happy with my fastball command and being able to hold velocity deep into games. My curveball has been pretty good and I’ve been happy with how my changeup has come along in my first five starts.

“There was definitely improvement over the first five starts. I was extremely happy that I was able to command the fastball early and attack the zone.’’

When his promotion came, Barnes was ecstatic that his family was present to share the moment. They had turned out in full force for Greenville’s game in Lakewood.

“I was extremely happy and, obviously, it happened pretty quick, so I can’t complain about that,’’ said the former University of Connecticut standout. “Everybody wants to move up as fast as possible and I was just excited that my entire family was there: parents, aunts, uncles, my girlfriend, and her family were all there.

“It was after the game that they told me. I had just pitched that day and they called me in after the game and told me. My family was waiting outside and I was able to go out there and tell them. It was awesome.’’

It was a thrill that was trumped only by Barnes’s first-round selection (19th overall) by the Red Sox in the 2011 draft.