Opportunities Await For Jorge Barrosa After Successful Year
This article is part of a series counting down the Diamondbacks Top 30 prospects entering the 2024 season. These rankings are determined by Michael McDermott, in conjunction with the Inside the Diamondbacks staff.
Summary: Jorge Barrosa was part of Mike Hazen's first international free agent class in 2017, signing for $415K out of Venezuela. His ascent up the minor league system has been slow and steady, climbing up a level each year. 2022 proved to be a breakthrough season, as the power manifested more in the homer-happy environment of Amarillo. As a result, the D-backs added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He played the 2023 season in Triple-A Reno and put together solid numbers to earn an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster.
Rank: 15
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 5'5" 165 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Switch/Left
Tools: Hit 50, Power 40, Defense 60, Run 70, Arm 50, Overall 40
ETA: 2024
2023 Recap: After getting added to the 40-man roster and getting into his first big league Spring Training, Barrosa suffered a hamstring injury in a game. That delayed his season to the end of April. After a slow start, the bat perked up in May. While lacking in raw power, he was able to optimize his launch angles and increase his percentage of contact in the 8-32° sweet spot for launch angles. Overall he finished with a .274/.394/.456 triple slash with 13 home runs and almost as many walks (80) as strikeouts (82) in the offense-inflating environment of the Pacific Coast League. While he was never a factor as a potential major league callup during the season, he's added his name to the list of candidates for 2024.
2024 Expectations: With a successful year in Triple-A, Barrosa will get a chance to earn a fourth or fifth outfielder role out of spring. With two options left on his deal, they can send him to Reno if an opportunity doesn't happen right away. He's likely behind Dominic Fletcher on the depth chart for outfield callups, but given the struggles with Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas at the plate last season that opportunity could happen early in the season. Barrosa should make his major league debut in 2024 and get his first at-bats as an injury replacement.
Projection: Barrosa's limited power ceiling caps his potential impact at the major league level, which is more of a fourth outfielder role. As a switch hitter who's better from the left side of the plate, he should get plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills in Arizona or another team. He's an ideal fit for a fourth outfielder role where he can be a late-game pinch runner or defensive replacement.
