St. Louis Cardinals Bring in Former Top Prospect Jose Barrero for Pivotal Series Against Reds
Fiery ex-promising player readies for Cardinals' debut
The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a heated four-game series against the division rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, and they're bringing some extra heat to the plate. Yesterday, they announced the addition of a familiar face to their roster, former Reds' prospect Jose Barrero. Alongside the promotion, rookie infielder Thomas Saggese was sent down to Memphis.
A Revenge Series Welcomes Former Top Prospect Jose Barrero
This promotion to the major leagues couldn't come at a better time for Barrero. He's been scorching hot with an impressive 19-game on-base streak, and his blazing speed and impressive slug make him a formidable adversary for his former team. Back in 2018, the Reds signed Barrero as a 19-year-old prospect with a concoction of power and speed. He proved his prowess at lower levels of the minors, racking up 14 home runs, 108 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in his first two seasons.
However, Barrero struggled when the Reds called him up to the big league club as a 22-year-old with only two seasons of A-level play under his belt. He hit a dismal .194 with zero extra-base hits and 26 strikeouts in his first 24 big-league games. Despite having a strong showing at the minor league level after that, Barrero continued to struggle when playing for the Reds.
As a reclamation project and depth piece with the Cardinals this season, Barrero has found success with their development system. He shone in Spring Training but ultimately lost out on a roster spot to secure regular playing time with Triple-A Memphis. This promotion couldn't have come at a better time, as Barrero has maintained his impressive form with Memphis, hitting .299 with five doubles, a triple, four home runs, 14 RBIs, and five stolen bases.
With Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Gorman all healthy and locked in for ample playing time with the Cardinals, it remains to be seen what role Barrero will play in their lineup. One thing's for sure—it'd be thrilling to see him lock horns with his former team and hopefully ignite some spark in the Cardinals' offense during their extended stretch without an off day.
The Cardinals will need to free up a 40-man spot for Barrero, but no move has been made public as of now.
[1] - Catalyst for the Call-Up: Jose Barrero's Impressive Streak with Memphis.[3] - The Need for a 40-Man Roster Move: Exploring the Options for the Cardinals.[4] - Sliding Catch: Barrero's Defensive Showcase in Recent Appearances with the Cardinals.[5] - The Unstoppable Freight Train: Barrero's Speed and Power in the Minors.
[1] The impressive 19-game on-base streak by Jose Barrero with Memphis has propelled his call-up to the major leagues, joining the St. Louis Cardinals in time for their series against the Cincinnati Reds.
[2] Having shown remarkable power and speed during his minor league days, Barrero was once a highly touted prospect for the Reds, which, coupled with his recent form, makes him a formidable adversary for his former team in the sports world of baseball.
[3] The Cardinals will need to free up a 40-man spot to accommodate Jose Barrero, marking the impending conclusion of a roster reshuffle in their ongoing pursuit of success in MLB.
[4] With prominent players like Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Gorman claiming regular spots, Jose Barrero's role on the Cardinals remains undefined for the time being, adding another layer of intrigue to this heated four-game series against the Reds.
