Franklin

Barreto

Barreto was universally-regarded as the centerpiece of the Josh Donaldson blockbuster trade between the Blue Jays and Athletics back in 2024, but never blossomed into the high-impact fantasy contributor many envisioned. The 28-year-old former top prospect hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he got into 21 contests between the Athletics and Angels. He spent all of last year in the independent Mexican League, batting .343 with 16 homers and 11 steals in 76 games. He’s merely a long-shot lottery ticket at this stage of his career, but he’ll be in camp this spring with the Orioles battling for a bench spot.

Barreto was a mainstay on top-100 prospect rankings in the early part of his professional career, but the 26-year-old has compiled a weak .175/.207/.342 batting line in 237 major league plate appearances. Maybe the rebuilding Nats can help him fully realize his talent, but this is now his fifth different organization.

Barretto last appeared in the majors with the Angels and Athletics during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 26-year-old former top prospect, who was the centerpiece of the Josh Donaldson trade nearly a decade ago, signed a minor league contract with the Astros back in late March and failed to reach the majors in Houston. He’s been jettisoned after hitting just .162/.259/.274 with six homers and 11 steals in 274 plate appearances this season for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Barreto elected free agency way back in October after being outrighted off the Angels’ 40-man roster. The 26-year-old former top prospect holds a career .175/.207/.342 batting line in 101 games at baseball’s highest level.

Barreto went unclaimed on waivers, and has refused an outright minor-league assignment, which means he will test the free agent waters this offseason. The 25-year-old infielder, who was the centerpiece of the Josh Donaldson trade back in 2014, has bounced around between the Athletics and Angels over the last few years. He missed the entire 2021 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in May.

Barreto missed the entire 2021 campaign following Tommy John surgery. The former top prospect is still only 25 but hasn’t found any success at the major league level.

Barreto suffered an elbow injury back in spring training and tried the rest and rehab route but will now go under the knife. The infielder is likely to be sidelined until sometime in early 2022.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day. Barreto won’t resume baseball activities for another month or so and now isn’t eligible to return until late May.

If this is just a shutdown period, this means we might not see Barreto in game action until late-May. His injury likely opens the door for Luis Rengifo to make the Opening Day roster.

Barreto had surgery last September to repair a subluxation in his left shoulder, but he’s fully recovered and ready to roll. The former top prospect has seen his star fade dramatically the last couple years, but he will turn just 25 on Saturday. Barreto is out of options, so he’s likely to make the Opening Day roster in a utility role.