3 numbers that stick out from Jose Barrero's Winter League performance thus far

Jose Barrero was not at RedsFest this year. Instead, the Cincinnati Reds infielder was on his way south to participate in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

After an absolutely brutal 2022 campaign, it was deemed necessary for Barrero to get in some additional reps this offseason.

Since his arrival, Barrero has now played 21 games in the PRWL and the results are interesting to say the least. Some areas are surprisingly good, while others are shocking bad. As a whole, Barrero's performance in the Puerto Rican Winter League is as enigmatic as his professional career to this point.

Reds SS Jose Barrero has had an up-and-down performance in the PRWL.

Let's start with the positives first, shall we? After a strikeout-heavy performance in 2022 saw Jose Barrero flailing wildly at any ball thrown in his general direction, the 24-year-old seems to have gained some measure of restraint during his first month in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

To this point, through 86 plate apperances, Barrero has only struck out 16 times. That's fewer than once per game, which is a drastic improvement for him. Barrero has a strikeout-rate of 18.6%. If he's able to maintain that during Cactus League play and the beginning of the 2023 season, the idea of accelrating Elly De La Cruz through the minor leagues will be put to bed rather quickly.

In addition to the lower strikeout-rate, Barrero has also increased his walk-rate. After posting a 5.1% walk-rate in 2022, Barrero has bumped his BB-rate to 11.6% while playing in the PRWL this month. Barrero has walked 10 times in 21 games.

Now for the disturbing part of the stat line. Barrero has just two extra-base hits in 73 at-bats. His slugging percentage (.303) is lower than his on-base percentage (.349). Barrero, who belted 19 home runs in the minors during the 2021 season and posted a .377 slugging percentage for Triple-A Louisville last season, has turned into a singles hitter.

Power has always been a calling card for Jose Barrero, so it's a bit odd to see such a sharp downturn in his slugging percentage. That said, if sacrificing power has resulted in the Reds shortstop making contact, Cincinnati's coaching staff has to be pleased with that. Here's hoping the power returns and the strikeouts remain low.