José Israel Barrero Bio
José Israel Barrero, born on April 5, 1998, is a Cuban professional baseball utility player currently in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Barrero signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent in June 2017 and made his professional debut in 2018. Throughout his MLB career, he has showcased his versatility and power, playing various positions and making significant contributions to his teams.
Early Life and Background
Barrero grew up in Cuba and developed his baseball skills in the country’s rich baseball culture. He played for the Cuban national baseball team in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, gaining valuable international experience at a young age. Barrero also played in the Cuban National Series for Industriales, one of the most storied franchises in Cuban baseball history, which helped prepare him for his eventual transition to professional baseball in the United States.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his success in Cuba’s youth and national systems, Barrero signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent on June 10, 2017. This opportunity allowed him to begin his professional career in the minor leagues of the United States. He made his professional debut in 2018 with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, where he played in 125 games and hit .245 with six home runs and 53 RBI, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively at a young age.
José Israel Barrero Career
Minor League Development (2018–2019)
In his first full professional season with Dayton, Barrero proved he could compete at a high level in the Reds organization. He followed up his debut year with an impressive 2019 campaign with the High-A Daytona Tortugas, where he appeared in 104 contests and batted .280/.343/.436 with eight home runs, 55 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. His performance in Daytona demonstrated his development as both a hitter and a baserunner. After the 2019 season, Barrero played in the Arizona Fall League, further accelerating his development against top prospects from across baseball.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2020–2023)
Barrero received an invitation to Spring Training with the Reds in 2020, though he was not immediately assigned to an affiliate after the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his MLB debut on August 27, 2020, against the Milwaukee Brewers, appearing in 24 games and hitting .194/.206/.194 with two RBI in his rookie campaign.
Barrero began the 2021 season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before progressing to the Triple-A Louisville Bats later in the year. He appeared in 21 contests for the big league club that season, hitting .200/.286/.320 with three RBI. On March 20, 2022, it was announced that Barrero would miss at least six weeks with a hamate injury in his left hand and wrist. He made his season debut on August 3 and on August 6 hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot off Milwaukee Brewers starter Aaron Ashby. The home run was part of a two-homer, three RBI game. In 48 games for the Reds during the 2022 season, he slashed .152/.195/.206 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
In 2023, Barrero played in 46 games for the Reds, batting .218/.295/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI. Prior to the 2024 season, it was announced that Barrero would begin working primarily as an outfielder, expanding his defensive versatility.
St. Louis Cardinals (2025)
On November 16, 2024, Barrero signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, hitting .299 with four home runs, 13 RBI, and five stolen bases across 23 appearances. On April 28, 2025, the Cardinals selected Barrero’s contract, adding him to their active roster. In 22 appearances for St. Louis, he slashed .138/.194/.276 with one home run and three RBI before being designated for assignment by the Cardinals on June 24. He elected free agency on June 27, in part due to receiving interest from a team in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Baltimore Orioles (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Barrero signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. In 53 appearances for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, he batted .190/.261/.344 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, and nine stolen bases. His versatility and power potential remained evident in his performance with the Tides. On October 2, 2025, Barrero re-signed with the Orioles organization on a minor league contract that included an invitation to Spring Training, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in 2026.
Playing Style and Strengths
Barrero is known for his versatility as a utility player, capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond. His ability to play both infield and outfield positions has made him a valuable asset for organizations seeking roster flexibility. He has demonstrated power potential throughout his career, having hit home runs at each level of professional baseball. His baserunning instincts, reflected in his stolen base totals at various minor league stops, add another dimension to his game.
Notable Milestones
Barrero’s first major league home run on August 6, 2022, against the Milwaukee Brewers represented a significant milestone in his career. The two-homer, three RBI game showcased his ability to impact a game with his bat. His journey through multiple organizations, from his signing with the Reds in 2017 through his current place in the Orioles system, demonstrates his persistence and adaptability within professional baseball.
José Israel Barrero Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Barrero has accumulated offensive statistics across Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. His minor league career spans from Single-A to Triple-A, where he has demonstrated consistent power and baserunning ability.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Barrero has appeared in parts of five MLB seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. Through the 2025 season, he has played 97 games in the majors, accumulating five home runs and 27 RBI. His debut season came in 2020 with the Reds, and he has continued to work toward establishing himself as a consistent contributor at the highest level of professional baseball.
| Team | Years | Games | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds | 2020–2023 | 97 | 5 | 27 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2025 | 22 | 1 | 3 |
Personal Life
On May 29, 2021, Barrero changed his name from Jose Garcia to José Israel Barrero in honor of his mother, who died due to a COVID-19 related illness. The name change reflected his deep personal connection to his family and heritage. Barrero maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account @jose_israel_15. He continues to pursue his professional baseball career while honoring the memory of his mother.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Barrero as he moved between organizations. He began the year with the Cardinals organization, earning a promotion to the major league roster after an impressive start with Triple-A Memphis. His time with the Cardinals was brief, as he struggled at the plate in his 22 appearances before being designated for assignment. Despite the challenges, Barrero demonstrated his ability to produce at the Triple-A level, where he hit .299 with the Redbirds before his promotion.
Following his release from the Cardinals, Barrero joined the Baltimore Orioles organization in July 2025. He found immediate success with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, hitting eight home runs and stealing nine bases in 53 games. His power and speed numbers translated well to the International League, suggesting he remains a viable professional player with upside potential. The Orioles recognized his contributions by re-signing him to a minor league contract in October, inviting him to Spring Training for the 2026 season.