Reds shortstop Jose Barrero beginning to show signs of life after 2 days off

The Cincinnati Reds elevated Jose Barrero to the major leagues shortly after the MLB trade deadline and the 24-year-old supplanted Kyle Farmer as the team's shortstop. Barrero has been regarded as one of the organization's top young talents for quite some time.

Barrero had great success in the minor leagues last season after receiving a cup of coffee in the big leagues during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The infielder made his way through both Double-A and Triple-A in 2021 and landed a promotion to the big leagues in August last year.

Barrero's time with the Reds, however, was sporadic. Cincinnati tinkered with the idea of making Barrero into an outfielder and he also saw time at second base. Finally, this season, the decision was made to insert Barrero as the team's everyday shortstop and just allow him to work through his mistakes.

Reds shortstop Jose Barrero beginning to show signs of life.

It would appear as though that strategy, while painful to watch at times, is beginning to pay off. Jose Barrero struggled at Triple-A this season with strikeouts, and after arriving in Cincinnati a little over a month ago, those same struggles continued.

Barrero recorded a strikeout in 23 consecutive games before that streak mercifully came to an end on August 31st. During those 23 games, Barrero struck out 41 times and drew a walk only twice.

But, ever since David Bell gave Jose Barrero two days off, the 24-year-old seems to be turning a corner. After working on a new and improved batting stance, the Reds have seen subtle improvement from the shortstop.

In his four games since receiving back-to-back off-days, Barrero is hitting .188/.278/.188. Now, on the surface, those numbers are not good. But, the key stat over those four games are the two strikeouts in 18 plate appearances. Barrero also drew walks as well.

Again, this isn't reason to do backflips and think that Jose Barrero has suddenly "figured things out", but it is a step in the right direction. Barrero appears to be seeing the ball better and has been laying off of those pitches that are out of the strike zone.

The Cincinnati Reds need Jose Barrero to continue to develop. While the entire fanbase is ecstatic about Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Edwin Arroyo, Reds Country knows all too well how dangerous it is to put one's faith into prospects. Barrero is here now, and has the potential to be a key piece of the organization moving forward.