3 players Reds fans should lower the bar for in 2023

2. Reds fans should lower the bar for Jose Barrero.

Whether it was the hamate injury that he suffered last spring or a complete lack of plate discipline, something was off about Jose Barrero in 2022. The shortstop was supposed to compete with Kyle Farmer for the starting job in spring training, but a wrist injury sidelined Barrero for two months.

Once he returned, Barrero was optioned to Triple-A and struggled mightily at the dish. The infielder looked like a shell of the top prospect who was hammering home runs in 2021 and looking like the next big thing in a Reds uniform.

Once the trade deadline passed, the Reds' brass decided to give Barrero his first extended look at shortstop in the big leagues. The results were atrocious and Barrero looked lost at the plate. The rate at which Barrero struck out made Aristides Aquino look like Joey Votto.

Sadly, it may be time to lower the bar for Jose Barrero. The Cincinnati Reds would surely give Barrero every opportunity to win the starting shortstop job outright during spring training, but Kevin Newman and Matt McLain will likely give the Cuban a run for his money., Top prospect Elly De La Cruz is waiting in the wings as well.

There's a lot of swing and miss in Barrero's bat, but there's a lot of power too. Barrero has spent time in the Puerto Rican Winter League during the offseason, and has seen some measure of success. The Reds are hoping that translates into success at the major league level as well.