Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HOU | OF | 10 | 45 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Ian Smith
Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 Draft, Round 4
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: High waisted. Muscular, athletic frame. Large forearms and quads. Plenty of room remaining to add muscle in his upper half. High-end athleticism will likely hold up as he matures.
Hit: Barber gives you so much to like at the plate. Hands settle in at his ear with his elbow high to the backstop. Feet are slightly open and a hair narrow. Short, quick leg trigger that simultaneously brings his hands back creating good barrel lag through the zone. Takes a short bat path to the ball creating a hard line drive approach to all fields with limited wasted effort. Lightning quick hands. Swings through the ball, and gets a long finish. Bat speed is easy, and will impact the ball consistently. Shows an advanced eye for spin and will sit on his pitch. Can be overly patient on occasion, and get behind in counts but not something to be overly concerned about. Grade: 50
Power: Present strength and slight change in bat path has led to an uptick in power from Barber. Was clocking some 100+ exit velos at Astros instructs, after a previous high was reported in the low 90s. Bat speed and barrel acceleration combined with a simple left handed swing give him the tools to show plus pull side power, but will get under the ball at times. All fields approach and Plus speed will help his overall power profile by padding his extra base hit totals. Grade: 50
Field: Takes an aggressive approach to the ball. Will commit early and attack moving in all directions. Plus foot speed and instincts allow to be in good positions to field consistently. Shows the range and athleticism to stick in CF long term, but arm strength would allow him to slide to RF if need be. Grade: 55
Arm: Easy throwing action. Gets his weight behind the ball and really opens up his hips to get good carry. Was clocked at 89 MPH at PG National in 2019. Grade: 55
Run: 6.51 runner in the 60. Gets an explosive first step and will reach top speed quickly. Long legs and athleticism will likely give him the ability to keep his foot speed long term. Grade: 60
Overall: Barber gives you an extremely interesting set of tools. Nothing he does on the diamond is going to hurt your ball club, but he doesn't give you that star potential projection. He's a Top of the order type of bat who's going to go all out for every fly ball. A glue guy if I may, but a glue guy who shows the makings of an everyday centerfielder in just a few years.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Bench or Platoon
Risk: High
