Reds: It’s time to recall Jose Barrero to the major leagues

The wait is over, it’s time for the Cincinnati Reds to recall Jose Barrero to the major leagues. The 23-year-old was optioned on August 28th, and with the required 10-day window now expired, it’s time to bring Barrero back to the big leagues.

Barrero’s inclusion on the 28-man roster is not a necessity for the Reds’ playoff push, though it’s likely that shortstop Kyle Farmer will soon be placed on the paternity list once his wife gives birth to their first child. But, Barrero even as a bench bat, Barrero is a better option than many of the players currently on Cincinnati’s active roster.

Barrero has appeared in five games since returning to the minors, and in 16 plate appearances for Triple-A Louisville, the right-handed hitting Barrero is 5-for-14 (.313) with two home runs and four RBIs.

The Reds need to recall Jose Barrero.

The Cincinnati Reds may be waiting for Kyle Farmer’s trip to the paternity list before activating Jose Barrero, but I think that is a mistake. Yes, recalling Barrero now would likely result in designating someone from the current roster for assignment, but there are plenty of players who aren’t earning their keep right now.

Cincinnati could dismiss Asdrúbal Cabrera, who’s yet to record a hit in eight games with the Reds, or send Brad Brach packing and roll with an eight-man relief corps. Brach owns a 6.30 ERA in 35 appearances out of the Reds’ bullpen this season.

The one player who must stay, and is likely the reason the front office has yet to recall Barrero, is Max Schrock. In Schrock’s last 29 plate appearances, the 26-year-old is hitting .414/.469/.552. Schrock has been David Bell’s go-to guy in left field with Jesse Winker out of the lineup.

Jose Barrero is one of Cincinnati’s best young prospects. While Kyle Farmer has earned his spot as the team’s starting shortstop, Barrero could provide a measure of relief for the 30-year-old who’s been dealing with an abdominal injury for the majority of the 2021 season.

Barrero’s time as a the Reds’ starting shortstop will have to wait for one more season, but that shouldn’t preclude the front office from giving the young prospect a handful of opportunities over the last few weeks of the season.

Cincinnati could certainly use another right-handed bat off the bench, as the trio of Aristides Aquino, Delino DeShields, and Eugenio Suárez are hitting a combined .179 on the season. Barrero is hitting .306/.392/.594 at Triple-A Louisville.