Why Jose Barrero is now the Reds starting shortstop over Kyle Farmer
MIAMI –– Over the last week, the Cincinnati Reds traded five key big leaguers for prospects in an effort to improve the team’s long-term outlook. Now, on the MLB roster, they’re making more decisions that are prioritizing the future.
The Reds activated shortstop Jose Barrero, a top prospect, on Wednesday, and he’ll be the Reds’ starting shortstop going forward. With Barrero, 24, filling that spot, Kyle Farmer will get the bulk of his playing time at third base going forward.
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“Every player gets to a point – every good player – where I believe there’s no real development left except at the Major League level,” Reds manager David Bell said. “The Major League level brings out the best in a lot of young players, especially the good ones. Obviously, there’s no guarantees with any of this. Now is the time to allow Jose to complete that development here.”
Since 2020 spring training, Barrero has been viewed as a potential shortstop of the future. He had a standout spring training that year and showed the power, athleticism and defensive upside that the Reds are looking for from a shortstop.
Barrero showed so much upside that they had him make his MLB debut in the last month of the 2020 season, even though he had never played above High-A. In 2021, Barrero returned to the minors and won the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year award after hitting .303 with a .919 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A.
He spent the last six weeks of last season in MLB with the Reds, playing a bench role and making spot starts in center field as the Reds made a run at a playoff spot.
“He was here, and I think it was a good experience,” Bell said. “At the same time, it wasn’t a big enough sample of his play. He just has to get back here and play a lot and stay here. Just because of how talented he is and who he is, just getting the reps and playing a lot, he’s going to get better.”
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When Barrero reported to spring training in 2022, he was expected to receive a chance to compete with Farmer for the starting spot at shortstop. Then in the first few days, Barrero learned he had a broken bone in his wrist and needed surgery.
Barrero played in his first Triple-A game of the 2022 season in late May, but he never found a rhythm at the plate. In his 220 Triple-A at-bats this season, Barrero was hitting .209 with a .639 OPS, posting the worst offensive season of his minor league career.
“You got to learn everything from mentally to what’s going on on the field, off the field, everything,” Barrero said via interpreter Jorge Merlos. “After surgery, I’ve been able to battle and get myself prepared for today.”
Barrero’s biggest concern was his strikeout rate. In his 237 plate appearances, he struck out 89 times (37% of the time). In 2021, Barrero only struck out 84 times in 380 minor league at-bats (22%).
“It’s all about my mechanics,” Barrero said. “I worked on that a lot over the last stretch right now. Fortunately everything feels good, and I feel like I’ve taken that down a bit. Through the season, it has progressed.”
Barrero still has as high of an upside as almost any other player on the Reds active roster. With shortstop prospects Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain on Barrero’s heels in the minor leagues, the Reds needed to take the opportunity to see what Barrero can do with extended playing time in the Reds’ lineup.
As a result, Farmer will be moving over to third base. Since the start of the 2021 season, Farmer has been one of the Reds’ most consistent hitters with a .257 batting average and a .717 OPS. Often playing through injuries, Farmer has been a consistent defender, a tough at-bat and one of the most well respected voices in the clubhouse.
Farmer, 31, now moves to third base so the Reds can better evaluate Barrero. Farmer had an off day on Wednesday but is expected to remain a big part of the lineup.
“(Farmer) has played an outstanding shortstop,” Bell said. “I know he loved the position. I personally think he has a chance to be an even better third baseman. Not that it’s an easy position, and it’s probably going to take some time. To be able to just put somebody over at third base from shortstop right in the middle of the season, that shows how much we believe in Kyle to be able to do that. It’s not easy though by any means.”
The Reds are making a similar decision in the outfield, giving Aristides Aquino the bulk of playing time over players like Albert Almora Jr., Stuart Fairchild and TJ Friedl. Even though Aquino was designated for assignment in April and has a .183 batting average since the start of the 2020 season, he has the highest upside of the group because of his incredible power and league-best arm strength.
In Tuesday night’s win over the Miami Marlins, Aquino delivered a two-run RBI and saved another run with a 100 mph throw that beat the runner to home plate.
“He has been through a lot,” Bell said. “Injury, had success here, had his struggles. Now it’s time, not that I’m committing him to playing every single day, but I’d like to see him play. Get into a rhythm where he’s playing more than he has in the past. Just let the ability take over.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jose Barrero is now the Reds shortstop over Kyle Farmer
