The Baltimore Orioles strengthened their young infield by signing this once highly-regarded prospect.
Such deals usually include an invitation to participate in Major League spring training.
The Venezuela native has been a professional baseball player for over a decade, appearing in 101 Major League games. However, the former Top 100 prospect has not played in the Majors since 2020, when he was with the Angels.
In the last two years, he has played in the Mexican League for Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos and Diablos Rojos del México. Last season with Diablos, he posted impressive numbers, slashing .343/.430/.576 with 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, and eight stolen bases. He also contributed to the team’s victory in the Serie del Rey, the Mexican League’s version of the World Series.
His potential role in the Majors remains uncertain. The 28-year-old will be vying for playing time during spring training alongside some of the top young infielders in the game, including Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Ramon Urias, and Jorge Mateo.
Barreto offers positional versatility, capable of playing both middle infield spots as well as the outfield. With the potential loss of Anthony Santander in free agency, the Orioles could benefit from additional depth.
Signed by Toronto out of Venezuela in 2013, Barreto’s most notable achievement came in 2015 when he was traded to Oakland as part of the deal that sent Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays. Barreto was the key prospect in that trade.
He was a productive player in the minors, eventually earning a call-up to the Athletics in 2017. However, his performance in the Majors never led to more than a utility role.
Over parts of four seasons with the Athletics, Barreto posted a slash line of .180/.210/.360/.570, with nine home runs and 27 RBIs. In the midst of the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he was traded to the Angels for infielder Tommy La Stella, but he struggled, batting just .118 in six games with Los Angeles.
Barreto was expected to have a role with the Angels in 2021, but he required Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire season. Afterward, he chose to become a free agent.
In 2022 and 2023, he spent time bouncing around the minor leagues. He first joined the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, where he failed to hit above .200. In his final at-bat with the team, he hit a home run off former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, who was on a rehab assignment.
In late 2022, Barreto signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals. He played 29 games for Triple-A Rochester, posting a slash line of .202/.282/.455, along with seven home runs, 15 RBIs, and two stolen bases.
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