| Jose Barrero | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Barrero with theLouisville Bats in 2023 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 27 | |
| Utility player | |
| Born: (1998-04-05)April 5, 1998 (age 26) Havana,Cuba | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 27, 2020, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Batting average | .186 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 32 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jose Israel Barrero (born April 5, 1998), formerly known asJose Garcia, is a Cuban professionalbaseballutility player in theSt. Louis Cardinals organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCincinnati Reds.
Barrero played for theCuban national baseball team in the2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup and in theCuban National Series for theIndustriales.[1][2]
Barrero signed with theCincinnati Reds as an international free agent on June 10, 2017.[3] He made his professional debut in 2018 with theSingle-ADayton Dragons, playing in 125 games and hitting .245 with six home runs and 53 RBI. Barrero played 2019 with theHigh-ADaytona Tortugas, appearing in 104 contests and batting .280/.343/.436 with eight home runs, 55 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. After the season, he played in theArizona Fall League.[4] The Reds invited Barrero to Spring Training in 2020,[5][6] but he was not immediately assigned to an affiliate after the minor league season was cancelled as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7]
Barrero made his MLB debut on August 27, 2020, against theMilwaukee Brewers. He hit .194/.206/.194 with no home runs and two RBI in 24 games for Cincinnati in his rookie campaign.[8] Barrero began the 2021 season with theDouble-AChattanooga Lookouts, progressing to theTriple-ALouisville Bats later in the year. He appeared in 21 contests for the big–league club, hitting .200/.286/.320 with no home runs and three RBI.[9]
On March 20, 2022, it was announced that Barrero would miss at least six weeks with a hamate injury in his left hand/wrist.[10] He made his season debut on August 3. On August 6, Barrero hit his first major league home run off ofMilwaukee Brewers starterAaron Ashby. The two-run shot was part of a two-homer, three RBI game (the second homer coming off ofHoby Milner).[11] In 48 games for the Reds, he slashed .152/.195/.206 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
In 2023, Barrero played in 46 games for the Reds, batting .218/.295/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI.[12] Prior to the 2024 season, it was announced that Barrero would begin working primarily as an outfielder.[13]
On March 9, 2024, Barrero was claimed off waivers by theTexas Rangers.[14] On March 27, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ARound Rock Express.[15] In 49 games for Round Rock, he slashed .188/.277/.346 with six home runs, 25 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Barrero elected free agency on November 1.[16]
On November 16, 2024, Barrero signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[17]
On May 29, 2021, he changed his name from Jose Garcia to Jose Barrero in honor of his mother, who died due to aCOVID-19 related illness.[18]