Reds shortstop Jose Barrero looks to sharpen his skills in Dominican Winter League

Despite the MLB lockout in full effect, Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jose Barrero will get the opportunity to sharpen his skills.

Barrero will be part of Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. Play in the DOWL is set to begin next week.

Jose Barrero will represent the Reds in the DOWL.

Jose Barrero had a monster season in the minor leagues last season and has a really good shot to be the Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop next season.

Barrero made his major league debut in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and did so despite never playing above A-Ball. He hit .194/.206/.194 in his first taste of the big leagues.

Barrero was called up to the big leagues last season and logged 50 at-bats. The 23-year-old posted a slash line of just .200/.286/.320.

However, in 40 games at Double-A Chattanooga, Barrero hit .300/.367/.481.

Those numbers got even better at Triple-A Louisville where Barrero slashed .306/.392/.594 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs.

Jose Barrero will likely enter spring training in competition with infielder Kyle Farmer for the starting gig at short, and may be given some reps in center field as well.

Farmer put up career numbers in 2021, but many fans view Barrero as the team's best long-term option at shortstop.

Jose Barrero should be the Reds starting SS in 2022.

I'm not here to bash Kyle Farmer and what the 30-year-old did last season as the Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop.

But, with the front office ridding themselves of veterans like Tucker Barnhart and Wade Miley, it's clear the organization is looking to get younger.

Barrero has also proven everything he needed to last season while in the minors. The right-handed hitting infielder combined to hit .303/.380/.505 with 19 doubles, 19 round trippers, and 66 RBIs.

Playing in the Dominican Winter League will undoubtedly help Jose Barrero stay in game-shape, and help increase the shortstop's development as well.