Hunter Barco Showing New Found Velocity This Spring
If there’s one thing Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has done objectively well - it’s identifying pitching thru the draft.
Aside from taking Paul Skenes first overall in 2023, as well as Jared Jones in 2020, Cherington over slotted on Bubba Chandler during the 2021 draft, and signed Thomas Harrington for around $2 million in 2022.
After drafting Harrington in the Competitive Balance Round A, the Pirates selected Hunter Barco with their next pick (Round 2) out of the University of Florida.
Despite having undergone Tommy John surgery in May that year, the Pirates’ organization saw enough upside in Barco, to sign him for a bonus of $1.5 million.
Barco made his organizational debut in ‘23 in the Florida Complex League, and then with the Low A Bradenton Marauders. He combined to post a 3.44 ERA, in just 18.1 innings. The velocity was certainly a work in progress - recovering from the surgery - as the sinker only sat in the low-90’s.
Last season, Barco was sent to the High A level. Although Greensboro is a more of a hitter-friendly environment, he still managed to put up an ERA of 3.44, in 62 innings of work.
On July 14th, Barco received a promotion to AA Altoona, where he made two starts.
The sinker velo saw an uptick in ‘24 for Barco - sitting 93-94 and topping out at 95.
As Barco gears up for the 2025 season, he’s currently the eighth ranked prospect in the Pirates’ system, according to MLB Pipeline.
Barco made his ‘25 spring training debut on February 26th against the Atlanta Braves in North Port, throwing a scoreless inning. What became more notable about that outing was the 24-year-old lefty getting his sinker up to 96.
The Pirates lost to the New York Yankees in Tampa on Monday by a final of 12-3. Barco struggled some, allowing four runs, however, the sinker had impressive zip at 95-96, with one being registered at 97.
Although it’s just two games for Barco this spring, the improved velo is incredibly, encouraging, and an indication that it’s the healthiest he’s been since joining the Pirates’ organization three years ago.
Barco should return to Altoona to begin this year. Assuming he can maintain the new found sinker velocity, to compliment his plus slider and above average changeup, it could be a real challenge, for opposing batters in the Eastern League.