The Infielder is rejoining the Baltimore Orioles on a new deal for 2026, per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. Jose Barrero initially signed with the Orioles in July, and this fresh agreement brings him back for another year — with an invite to major league spring training included.
At 27 years old, Barrero has logged time in five MLB seasons, though mostly in brief stints. Across 161 career games, he owns a .182/.238/.257 slash line with nine stolen bases and solid defensive versatility. He’s appeared at shortstop, second, third base, and even in center and right field.
The Orioles’ decision seems to be a bet on Barrero’s pedigree as a former top prospect. He ranked among Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects in both 2021 and 2022 while in the Reds’ system, thanks in part to a stellar .303/.380/.539 (142 wRC+) showing in the minors in 2021.
Since then, though, Barrero’s career has been rocky. His major league opportunities haven’t translated into consistent production, and his minor league results have dipped as well. After exhausting his final option year in 2023, the Reds waived him in March 2024. The Rangers claimed him but later passed him through waivers, and he spent much of that season injured, appearing in only 49 minor league games with a .188/.277/.345 line.
Barrero began 2025 with the Cardinals on another minor league deal and got off to a strong start, batting .299/.396/.517 in Triple-A before earning a late-April call-up. However, he saw limited big-league action — just 31 plate appearances over two months — hitting .138/.194/.276. After being designated for assignment, he cleared waivers, became a free agent, and later joined the Orioles’ Triple-A Norfolk affiliate, where he hit .190/.261/.344 down the stretch.
Despite the underwhelming stats, the Orioles clearly see enough in Barrero’s tools and potential to give him another look in 2026. Still young at 27, he’ll have another chance to rediscover the form that once made him one of baseball’s more promising infield prospects.