| Age: | 22 |
| Bats/Throws: | R/R |
| Height/Weight: | 5'10", 190 lbs |
| Position: | Shortstop |
Whether it’s their diminutive stature or playing a position in the middle infield, some American League scouts suggest Franklin Barreto could follow in Jose Altuve’s footsteps according to a column by Austen Brown of the San Jose Mercury News. Before jumping to any conclusions, Barreto’s presently blocked by Jed Lowrie and Marcus Semien in Oakland’s infield.
As for Altuve and Barreto, each started their minor league careers at 17 years old and reached the majors during their Age-21 season. However, this seems to be where the comparisons in regards to fantasy could come to a conclusion. Altuve’s a high contact and speed player with late growth in power, either due to environment or the baseballs, who will defend his American League most valuable player award in 2018.
During his debut in 2011, Altuve played in 57 games accruing 221 at-bats with two home runs, seven stolen bases and a .276/.297/.357 slash line. Not pretty, but enough to get him a full time role with a rebuilding Astros franchise in 2012. Barreto only appeared in 25 games for the A’s last season garnering 71 at-bats with two home runs and stolen bases but a .197/.250/.352 line with a 43.4 strikeout percentage.
In order to create some baseline data on the two middle infielders, here’s each players minor league totals through and including their Age-21 seasons:
- Jose Altuve minors: 382 games, 1,466 at-bats, 276 runs, 30 home runs, 208 RBI, 117 stolen bases; .327/.386/.481
- Franklin Barreto minors: 456 games, 1,803 at-bats, 279 runs, 49 home runs, 241 RBI, 92 stolen bases; .292/.347/.463
It’s worth noting they scored almost the same amount of runs, although Altuve received fewer total at-bats, but Barreto displayed more power with less speed and on-base abilities. This seems to be where the divide on the two players occurs, especially in regards to contact. Altuve’s in the midst of four straight 200 hit seasons, slashed .346/.410/.547 last season and he’s launched 24 home runs in back-to-back years.
During their major league debut seasons, Altuve’s slash line fell, but his contact held steady at 87.5 percent accompanied by a paltry hard hit rate of 14.6 percent. However, Altuve only struck out 12.4 percent of the time which bode well for the Astros to move him to second base going forward. It did take time for Altuve to translate some of his minor league power, however, the seeds existed for those looking deeper in his profile.
As for Barreto, he seems more interested in hitting for power. His limited exposure to major league pitching last year yielded a 43.4 strikeout percentage but he did walk 6.6 percent of the time (Altuve only reached a 2.1 walk rate in 2011). Barreto did record a hard hit percentage of 34.2 percent with limited contact, 69.2 percent. Here’s where some of the similarities start to separate. Since Barreto owns more a power hitters mentality, he may not reach the on-base numbers of Altuve, but with improved contact, his power should translate to the majors better and faster than Altuve’s.
Last year in Triple-A, Barreto hit 15 home runs in 469 at-bats with 15 stolen bases and a .290/.339/.456 slash line. Only ZiPS by Dan Szymborski took an aggressive look at Barreto’s numbers if he gets extended playing time in the majors this year projecting him to reach 16 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 547 at-bats. As things stand now, this will not happen barring something unforeseen when spring training ends. Barreto’s attractive counting statistics also come with a .238/.285/.384 slash line, so it’s not all helium if he’s pressed into full-time duty.
But, there’s two things in play. First, last year marks the first time since 2013 Lowrie played at least 150 games. Over the last three years, he averages 103 which could open the door for Barreto to resurface in fantasy around May or June. Plus, Marcus Semien’s returning from injuries last year which limited him to 86 played.
Second, hope lied in Altuve’s ability to adjust to major league pitching during his Age-22 season, which Barreto will embark on during his second go around in Oakland. Barreto’s spray chart from last year highlights why he could outperform his current projections:
For comparison’s sake, here’s Altuve’s chart from last year, courtesy of MLBfarm.com:
Although a scout compared the two “smallish” second basemen, eventually, Barreto should succeed in the majors but in a different manner than Altuve. Since Barreto’s more likely to carry over his power from the minors, he should be able to provide better power numbers earlier in his career than Altuve, but with fewer steals. Especially given Barreto’s low success rate on steals, 65 percent, the last two seasons with 45 stolen bases in 72 total attempts in Double-A, Triple-A and with Oakland.
All of this adds up to Barreto being a draft and stash in deep formats, a bench player with upside in league specific contests and someone to target in keeper leagues if available. Barreto will become a fantasy asset when his upcoming slash lines in the majors migrate towards his minor league success. His blend of power with some speed will also help fill the counting categories making Franklin Barreto another player who will shed his diminutive label worth speculating on for fantasy purposes.
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Statistical Credits:
Fangraphs.com, MiLB.com, MLBfarm.com, Baseball-Reference.com
Scout reference: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/03/16/as-might-have-gem-in-franklin-barreto-but-is-2018-his-time-to-shine