Barrero '100%' open to playing center field

CINCINNATI – Although it’s unlikely to happen imminently, shortstop Jose Barrero felt confident that he could make his professional debut in center field right now -- if called upon.

“One-hundred percent,” Barrero, who normally speaks to the media via a translator, said in English on Friday.

Since he was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Barrero has been doing extra work in center field with coach Jeff Pickler. They have covered fundamentals and techniques each day this week.

Barrero, 23, is the Reds' No. 3 prospect and No. 33 overall according to MLB Pipeline. The club is not rushing him to play the outfield, but it would give manager David Bell an added option to have more versatility on his four-man bench.

If Barrero started, it would be another way to get his bat into the lineup. Kyle Farmer remains the club’s starting shortstop. It would also supplement the outfield with Jesse Winker on the 10-day injured list with an intercostal strain.

“I’m here to play wherever the team needs me to play, support them and help them in any way I can,” Barrero said via translator Jorge Merlos.

Barrero started doing some outfield drills and shagging fly balls after he was promoted from Double-A Chattanooga to Louisville earlier this season.

“It’s kind of similar because we do pretty much the same drills that we did down there in Louisville that we’re doing up here,” he said. “It’s just getting you prepared to go out on the field and do it. I feel pretty comfortable with just practicing out here too.”

Besides working with Pickler, Barrero is also getting advice from Reds outfielders Tyler Naquin, Aristides Aquino and Nick Castellanos. He hasn’t found working at a different position difficult.

“I’m just out there trying to have fun and try to give an opportunity for the team to win,” Barrero said.

In 80 games combined with Chattanooga and Louisville, Barrero batted .303/.378/.532 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs. He slugged 11 of his homers while at Louisville.

Barrero, who made 19 starts at shortstop last season for Cincinnati after making a big jump from the Class A-Advanced level when the Minor League season was wiped out by the pandemic, has appeared in three big league games this week with one start. He entered Friday 2-for-5 with a double.

“The team has given me the opportunity to play a little bit and I feel great that I’m able to contribute in some way,” Barrero said. “I’m glad that it’s going well.”

Night games starting at 6:40 p.m. in 2022
The Reds announced on Friday home game times for the 2022 regular season at Great American Ball Park. The biggest change is that all night games between Monday-Saturday will start at 6:40 p.m. ET.

The club has featured some 6:40 start times in recent seasons, including 2021, but have traditionally started its night games at 7:10 p.m. Fans were surveyed about their preferences.

“Reds Country has spoken loud and clear that they are in favor of earlier start times for evening games,” said Aaron Eisel, Reds vice president of tickets and business development.