José Barrero Bio
José Israel Barrero, born on April 5, 1998, is a Cuban professional baseball utility player in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Formerly known as Jose Garcia, Barrero signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent in June 2017 and made his professional debut in 2018. Throughout his time in Major League Baseball, he has showcased versatility and power, playing various positions and making meaningful contributions to his teams. He has also represented Cuba on the international stage and changed his surname in 2021 to honor his late mother.
Early Life and Background
José Israel Barrero was born on April 5, 1998, in Cuba, and grew up in a country where baseball serves as the national pastime. From an early age, he was immersed in the Cuban baseball tradition, which helped shape his understanding of the game’s fundamentals. His development within Cuba’s competitive amateur system laid the groundwork for his future professional career.
Barrero played for the Cuban national baseball team in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, an experience that exposed him to high-level international competition. He also appeared in the Cuban National Series for Industriales, one of the country’s most prominent baseball franchises. These early accomplishments demonstrated his talent and positioned him as a player with significant professional potential.
Path to Professional Baseball
In June 2017, Barrero made the decision to leave Cuba and signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent. This marked the beginning of his professional career in the United States and a transition from Cuban amateur baseball to the minor leagues. His signing was a major step that allowed him to pursue his dream of reaching Major League Baseball.
He made his professional debut in 2018 with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, playing in 125 games and hitting .245 with six home runs and 53 runs batted in. The following year, Barrero played for the High-A Daytona Tortugas, appearing in 104 contests and batting .280 with eight home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 15 stolen bases. After the 2019 season, he participated in the Arizona Fall League to gain additional experience before his anticipated promotion to the major leagues.
José Barrero Career
Cincinnati Reds (2020–2023)
Barrero made his Major League Baseball debut on August 27, 2020, against the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning his tenure with the Cincinnati Reds. In his rookie campaign, he appeared in 24 games and hit .194 with no home runs and two runs batted in. The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited his opportunity to fully showcase his abilities at the highest level.
The following year, Barrero began 2021 with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before progressing to the Triple-A Louisville Bats later in the season. He appeared in 21 contests for the Reds, hitting .200 with no home runs and three runs batted in. On March 20, 2022, it was announced that Barrero would miss at least six weeks due to a hamate injury in his left hand and wrist, delaying his season debut until August 3. Two days later, on August 6, he hit his first major league home run off Milwaukee Brewers starter Aaron Ashby. In 48 games that year, he slashed .152 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in. In 2023, he played in 46 games for the Reds, batting .218 with two home runs and 17 runs batted in. Prior to the 2024 season, the Reds announced that Barrero would begin working primarily as an outfielder.
Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals (2024–2025)
On March 9, 2024, Barrero was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, marking a new chapter in his career. He was later removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on March 27. In 49 games for Round Rock, he slashed .188 with six home runs, 25 runs batted in, and 10 stolen bases. Barrero elected free agency on November 1, 2024, opening the door for his next opportunity.
On November 16, 2024, Barrero signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, hoping to earn a return to the major leagues. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, hitting .299 with four home runs, 13 runs batted in, and five stolen bases across 23 appearances. On April 28, 2025, the Cardinals selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. In 22 appearances for St. Louis, he slashed .138 with one home run and three runs batted in. On June 24, Barrero was designated for assignment by the Cardinals. He elected free agency on June 27, partly due to receiving interest from a team in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Barrero signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, joining a new organization in search of a fresh start. He was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, where he played in 53 appearances and batted .190 with eight home runs, 27 runs batted in, and nine stolen bases. His power numbers at the plate provided a reminder of the offensive potential he had shown earlier in his career.
On October 2, 2025, Barrero re-signed with the Orioles organization on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. This agreement gave him another opportunity to compete for a major league roster spot heading into the next season. His continued professional journey reflects perseverance and a commitment to refining his skills as a versatile utility player.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Barrero’s major league career came on August 6, 2022, when he hit his first major league home run off Milwaukee Brewers starter Aaron Ashby. That game was particularly memorable, as he finished with two home runs and three runs batted in, including a second home run off Hoby Milner. The performance marked a significant milestone and a turning point in his development as a power-hitting utility player.
José Barrero Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, José Israel Barrero has accumulated notable achievements across multiple levels of baseball. His first major league home run, his consistent stolen base production, and his international representation of Cuba stand out as key highlights. The following sections summarize his verified accomplishments across various teams and leagues.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Barrero made his MLB debut on August 27, 2020, against the Milwaukee Brewers and has since played for the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers organization, St. Louis Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles organization. His first major league home run came on August 6, 2022, as a member of the Reds off Aaron Ashby of the Milwaukee Brewers. Across his major league appearances with Cincinnati, he has tallied multiple home runs and runs batted in, while continuing to develop as a versatile defender.
Minor League and International Highlights
In the minor leagues, Barrero has played for the Dayton Dragons, Daytona Tortugas, Chattanooga Lookouts, Louisville Bats, Round Rock Express, Memphis Redbirds, and Norfolk Tides. He participated in the Arizona Fall League after the 2019 season and represented Cuba in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup. He also played in the Cuban National Series for Industriales before leaving Cuba to pursue a professional career in the United States.
José Barrero Family
Family Background and Personal Life
José Israel Barrero was born and raised in Cuba, where baseball holds deep cultural significance. He changed his name from Jose Garcia to Jose Barrero on May 29, 2021, in honor of his mother, who passed away due to a COVID-19 related illness. This meaningful decision reflected his deep personal connection to family and his Cuban heritage.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw José Israel Barrero navigate multiple organizations as he sought to solidify his place in Major League Baseball. After beginning the year with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in the St. Louis Cardinals system, he was called up to the active roster on April 28, 2025. In 22 appearances for the Cardinals, he slashed .138 with one home run and three runs batted in before being designated for assignment on June 24.
Following his release, Barrero signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on July 2, 2025, and was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In 53 appearances for Norfolk, he batted .190 with eight home runs, 27 runs batted in, and nine stolen bases, demonstrating continued power and speed. On October 2, 2025, he re-signed with the Orioles organization on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.
Heading into the next season, Barrero’s focus will be on earning a spot on Baltimore’s major league roster while continuing to develop his skills as a versatile utility player. His ability to play multiple positions, combined with his power at the plate, gives him a path back to the majors. The 2025 season illustrated both the challenges and the persistence that have defined his professional baseball career.