Barreto’s path to starting lineup blocked once again
MESA, ARIZ. >> After the A’s were eliminated by the Yankees in the AL wildcard game last October, Franklin Barreto departed the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium with hope.
Aware of Jed Lowrie’s impending free agency, Barreto knew the A’s starting second base job could be had. No longer blocked, the path was clear.
But things don’t always work out exactly as originally envisioned.
Before Lowrie even found a new club, the A’s pulled off a December three-team deal to acquired Jurickson Profar from the Texas Rangers. In a conference call to discuss the deal, A’s general manager David Forst made it clear Profar would be the everyday second baseman.
Once again, Barreto is blocked.
“I never try to think about what the team does,” Barreto said when asked if he was surprised by the offseason trade. “I just work hard and look to find the opportunity by doing my job.”
Barreto, 22, ended up arriving at A’s camp on time despite trouble getting his visa. Instead of going home to Venezuela, Barreto picked it up in the Dominican Republic. In a race to get to Arizona, Barreto boarded a flight in the Dominican Republic, made a connection in Miami, and arrived in Phoenix Thursday night.
But even if Barreto were late by a day or two as the A’s originally thought could be the case, he’s still probably the most gameready player in the clubhouse.
The infielder spent his offseason going on a tear playing for the Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League. Barreto nearly won the league’s MVP award, finishing third in voting after hitting .352 with seven home runs, 12 doubles, one triple, and 38 RBIs with seven stolen bases. More importantly, his strikeout numbers, which the A’s have always felt is the last step in his development as a hitter, seemed to improve. He struck out just 35 times in 199 atbats,
drawing 20 walks.
The last player remaining from the group the A’s acquired in the trade that sent Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014, Barreto has long been considered their top hitting prospect over the past few years. With nothing left to prove in the minors, it’s all about getting that opportunity.
Though his overall numbers have been impressive, Barreto’s poor plate discipline
seems to have split the way he’s viewed within the organization.
A’s manager Bob Melvin is still a big fan.
“At some point in time he’s going to have a really good opportunity,” Melvin said. “We’ll see how things play out as far as spring goes. He’s still a terrific talent and I know he’s going to have a bright future ahead of him.
“He’s been blocked a few times and sometimes that can be a little frustrating. But he does not show that. He wants to be here to play baseball, his teammates love him, and we might see him in the outfield a little bit to try to create a little more versatility for him.”
Barreto’s numbers were nothing spectacular in his big league time last year, but a large part of that may have been due to never getting the chance to even get settled. He hit .233 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 32 games with the A’s.
Those games came over six different stints throughout the season.
“It was a little difficult to adjust to the pitching,” Barreto said. “Once I felt comfortable, I would have to go back down.”
The A’s would like to try Barreto at multiple positions this spring in more of a utility role. It’s something he’s done in the past, originally signed by the Blue Jays as a center fielder, and is willing to do if it means more playing time.
“I think it would give me a little bit more of an opportunity here,” Barreto said. “I was playing outfield in winter ball and I think I’m prepared for whatever they want to throw at me.”
With Profar now at second and Chad Pinder coming off a solid year as the team’s utility man, Barreto appears to be on the outside looking in. He’s going to do whatever he can to try and change that.
“I come prepared,” Barreto said. “I worked on what I needed to work on in Venezuela and now it’s time to continue that here.”
• Matt Chapman has been cleared to take part in full batting practice and was even scheduled to hit off A’s pitcher Jesus Luzardo during Monday’s practice, but those plans were changed due to the rainy weather at Hohokam Stadium.
Though he took no swings, Chapman did stand in the batter’s box and take some pitches from the A’s top prospect.
“I was just hoping Chappie wouldn’t swing,” Melvin said. “I think he was just tracking pitches anyway, but sometimes he gets a little eager. Those are two high profile guys for us.”