The Cincinnati Reds have parted ways with infielder/outfielder Jose Barrero, as he has been claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers. Initially contending for a spot on the Reds’ roster, Barrero’s departure alters the dynamics.
Once touted as a top prospect for the Reds, Barrero’s potential was highly regarded, ranking as high as #33 among all baseball prospects by Baseball America in 2021. However, with no more options left, the Reds faced the dilemma of integrating him into the major league setup in a limited capacity, attempting to trade him, or potentially assigning him to the minors if unclaimed.
Although primarily a shortstop, Barrero had been utilized in outfield positions in recent years, reflecting the team’s effort to maximize his utility given challenges in consistent hitting at the major league level. Despite a brief stint in the big leagues last season, he was eventually sent down to Triple-A due to lackluster performance, where he demonstrated notable improvement, hitting 19 home runs, swiping 20 bases, and achieving an impressive .873 OPS in 80 games.
The decision to place Barrero on waivers in early March seems perplexing, given the absence of apparent roster constraints. Nonetheless, his departure leaves the Reds with 44 players in their big league camp and 39 on the 40-man roster.
