Reds' castoff aims to make Opening Day roster for Cincy's bitter NL Central rival

When fans think about the most disappointing Cincinnati Reds players in recent memory, two names come to mind. Obviously first on the list is Nick Senzel. The Reds first-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft had an inauspicious run during his time in Cincinnati. While a position change early in his career may have derailed his potential, Senzel is the very definition of a bust.

But the other name that's sure to roll of the tongue of discouraged Reds fans is Jose Barrero. The slick-fielding shortstop was supposed to be what Elly De La Cruz has become. Instead, De La Cruz lapped Barrero and left him in the dust.

Barrero's struggles are well-documented. A international free agent signee back in 2017, Barrero was supposed to be the Reds shortstop of the future. But he was outplayed by former infielder Kyle Farmer and spent much of this Reds career in the minor leagues. Barrero finished his time in Cincinnati last spring.

Reds' castoff aiming to make the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Opening Day roster

The shortstop was designated for assignment during spring training last year and eventually landed with the Texas Rangers. An outfield collision during a minor league game saw Barrero's 2024 campaign come to a close after the 26-year-old had to undergo surgery to remove his spleen.

But Barrero was given new life this past offseason after joining the Reds' hated NL Central rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. Barrero inked a minor-league deal with St. Louis and is in the mix to be part of the Cardinals Opening Day roster.

According to Cardinals beat reporter John Denton, Barrero has impressed the St. Louis coaching staff this spring. The former Reds prospect is hitting .214 with a .956 OPS and two home runs during Grapefruit League play. Barrero is listed as an outfielder and is angling for a spot on the St. Louis bench.

The Cardinals' roster is in a bit of disarray this year. St. Louis tried multiple times, to no avail, to trade Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals also tried to dump Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, but both preferred to stay in the Gateway City. Longtime Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt joined the New York Yankees this offseason, and many pundits are predicting St. Louis to finish last in the NL Central.

St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker suffered a knee injury after stepping on sprinkler earlier this week, so Barrero may be able to crack the Cardinals Opening Day roster. The Cardinals visit the Reds at the end of April, and it'll be interesting to see if Barrero is on the St. Louis roster for team's visit to Great American Ball Park.

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