There's a disturbing trend developing for Reds shortstop Jose Barrero

Jose Barrero began the 2022 season on the Injured List after having surgery on his wrist. The 24-year-old began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville at the end of May but has yet to called up to the big leagues.

Shortly before his rehab assignment was up, the Cincinnati Reds optioned Barrero to Triple-A and have the ability to recall the shortstop at any time this season.

Kyle Farmer has been the starting shortstop for the Reds throughout the season and the veteran has fared very well. A section of the Cincinnati faithful hope to see Farmer retain the position over the long haul, but the Reds have some very promising young shortstops coming up through the farm system.

Barrero is one of them. Once the trade deadline passes, chances are good that Reds fans will see Barrero back in the Queen City. But a disturbing trend has emerged for Barrero while playing at Triple-A Louisville, and it doesn't bode well for him if he can't figure out how to overcome it.

Reds SS Jose Barrero is striking out multiple times per game at Triple-A.

During Jose Barrero's last 10 games, he has struck out 19 times. That's nearly twice per contest. Furthermore, only twice in that span has Barrero struck out fewer than two times. His 40.4% strikeout-rate during that timeframe is very troubling.

This is a very different version of Barrero than the one that rocketed up through the Cincinnati farm system last season. After dominating at both Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, Barrero got the chance to join the Reds down the stretch in August.

But, it wasn't as if the infielder was a regular in the Cincinnati lineup. At the time, the Reds were still in contention for a playoff spot so Kyle Farmer got the bulk of starts at shortstop. Barrero started in just 13 games with five of those starts coming in center field.

I firmly believe that Jose Barrero has the skills to be an above-average major league shortstop. But until he rights the ship, his opportunities will be limited. In this lost season, it would be surprising to see Barrero remain at Triple-A past the trade deadline, but stranger things have happened. A lot may depend on whether or not Farmer is dealt at the trade deadline.