Brandon

Barriera

We already knew that Barriera underwent season-ending elbow surgery, but now we know the specifics. It’s becoming more common for pitchers to opt for this procedure, which includes a traditional UCL ligament replacement along with an internal brace. Either way, the 2022 first-rounder will be sidelined through the early part of next season.

Barriera was selected 23rd overall in the 2022 MLB Draft and will be sidelined until at least the outset of next season. It’s unclear whether he’ll wind up requiring a full Tommy John elbow reconstruction or an internal brace procedure at this juncture.

Barrera will receive an above-slot $3.598 million signing bonus, which is nearly $500,000 above the projected slot value for the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. The 18-year-old southpaw flashes a strong three-pitch mix and has enough strikeout upside to project as a potential fantasy contributor in a few years.

Barriera decided to shut things down in April, and the stuff he showed prior to that was obviously good enough to earn a high selection. The 18-year-old has three pitches that have flashed plus; a low-to-mid 90s fastball that has projection for more, a slider with depth and tilt, and a change that might be his best offering as it comes from the same arm speed as that heater. His smooth delivery should make him a strike-thrower, and the command should come with the control as he develops. Barriera is a better ‘real-life’ prospect than a fantasy one, but there’s a chance for relevancy in the latter as he should be a hurler with a low WHIP and enough swing-and-miss potential in his left arm.