Franklin Barreto

For the third time in three years, Barreto saw a small sample of action with the Athletics. This time, it was his shortest and least successful stint, as he posted a weak .401 OPS in 58 plate appearances. However, he will still be just 24 this season and slashed .295/.374/.552 with 15 steals in 424 plate appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas, albeit in one of the best hitting environments in the minors. Barreto's calling card is the desirable power-speed combo. His downfall is poor plate skills (85 strikeouts, seven walks in 209 MLB plate appearances). His 26.7 K% with Las Vegas indicates it's more than a big-league issue. If the speedy Barreto can learn to take better advantage of his wheels by improving contact, he can compete for playing time at the keystone. There's still time, but the window is closing to make the adjustments.

Barreto first reached the major leagues at age 21 back in 2017. He now has 151 plate appearances at the big-league level with a .215/.252/.424 slash line, 62 strikeouts and all of six walks. Those numbers do an excellent job of showing the risk associated with Barreto, but he does bring tools to the table. He hit 23 home runs between Triple-A and the majors last season and stole 30 bases back in 2016. The 41% strikeout rate almost assures that he will begin the season back in Triple-A because he has done nothing so far to warrant major-league playing time, but it is understandably tough to overlook the high-end athleticism and potential to be an offensive force at middle infield at some stage of his career. The price is low right now due to the extreme risks, but the buying window could be closing soon. This is a reserve-round flier that could pay off well in 2019. There is a wide range of outcomes that can happen here.

It may not be a very exciting prognosis, but while a lot happened with Barreto in 2017, his middling production at Triple-A (103 wRC+) and significant struggles in 76 big-league plate appearances were to be expected for a 21-year-old toggling between shortstop and second base. He appeared to sell out for power more than ever before, upping his strikeout rate to 27.6 percent while hitting 15 home runs -- both minor-league career highs. While his decline in stolen bases last season may have been a result of hitting in the middle of the Triple-A lineup, he also has a physically mature 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame and doesn't project to hold plus speed much longer. Jed Lowrie will return to second base in 2018, but Barreto is next in line for the big-league club. He profiles as an inexpensive power/speed middle-infield dart late in drafts.

Barreto, the second youngest player in the Texas League, got off to a slow start in 2016. However, his owners' disappointment quickly turned to relief, and then smug satisfaction, as he hit .337/.393/.490 with 22 extra-base hits and 16 steals (on 25 attempts) over his final 51 games with Midland. Barreto makes do with average raw power, using his strong forearms, excellent bat speed and leveraged swing to send balls out to the pull side. He should hit 15-20 homers annually at maturity, with the speed to steal 20-plus bases in his early seasons. A plus hit tool completes a well-rounded offensive package. Evaluators have been saying he might move off shortstop ever since he was signed in 2012, and he started 31 games at second base last year -- his first professional action at the keystone. Barreto will start the year at Triple-A, but could be turning double plays with Marcus Semien sometime this summer.

The A's took a lot of heat for how the Josh Donaldson trade worked out in 2015 as the Bringer of Rain forged his MVP candidacy all summer for the Blue Jays, but the biggest piece the A's received back in the trade is the soon-to-be 20-year-old Barreto. The right-handed shortstop was impressive for High-A Stockton as a 19-year old, hitting .302 with an .833 OPS and 13 homers over 338 at-bats — only 338 because he missed time late with a wrist injury. Most scouting reports rave about Barreto's bat speed and ability to barrel up the ball as well as his polish for his age. It is unclear at this point if he will stick at shortstop defensively or slide to second or maybe move to center field. The A's are likely to be rebuilding in 2016, meaning there will be reason to slow play Barreto's development. It's possible he could spend a full season at Double-A with an eye toward a 2017 debut in the major leagues.

Entering his age-19 season, Barreto has the potential to be one of the biggest risers on prospect lists. He has yet to play in a full-season league, but the hype train has already left the station after his impressive showing at short-season Vancouver. Barreto displayed across-the-board production, slashing .311/.384/.481 with six home runs and 29 steals in 328 plate appearance. He seems to have a plan at the plate and does not simply hunt fastballs, but his approach will no doubt be tested as he moves up to full-season ball pin 2015. Barreto’s athleticism, quick hands and strong wrists give hope to him tapping into more power, but he could just as easily never be more than a line-drive hitter who has to move off shortstop. He is still a high-risk prospect, but few players in the minor leagues will be more intriguing to watch in 2015, and he'll receive much more attention in prospect circles throughout the upcoming season after being shipped to Oakland in a trade that sent Josh Donaldson to Toronto in November.

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