Colin Barber Stats & Scouting Report

AB	252
AVG	.222
OBP	.287
SLG	.353
HR	8

Full name Colin Arthur Barber
Born 12/04/2000 in Paradise, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Pleasant Valley
Drafted in the 4th round (136th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2019 (signed for $1,000,000).

View Draft Report

A 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder committed to Oregon, Barber has exciting pop in his lefthanded bat and impressed scouts with his bat speed and running ability last summer at the Area Code Games. Some scouts thought he had one of the quickest bats of the event, which is saying something considering the amount of talent there annually. Barber shows above-average raw power in batting practice, though it’s mostly to the pull-side during games. This spring, Barber has more than handled himself with the bat, including a three-homer performance in his first game of the season—though Barber does face lower-level high school competition. Defensively, while Barber is a plus runner now, some scouts believe he will wind up in a corner in the future.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/High

Track Record: After two injury-plagued seasons coming out of the pandemic, Barber managed to stay off the injured list for all of 2023 and played in 79 games for Double-A Corpus Christi. Barber has dealt with shoulder injuries throughout his career and it’s uncertain how much that may have affected him over the last few seasons. In 2023, Barber hit .244/.358/.433 while striking out in just 22.7% of at-bats and walking 14% of the time. Barber reached career highs in a variety of statistical categories in 2023 but was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft.

Scouting Report: Injuries have likely limited Barber’s production over the early part of his career, but he has shown advanced plate skills when healthy. Barber’s hands-driven lefthanded swing helps him shoot plenty of line drives to his pull side and helps him have the barrel control to adjust to a variety of pitches. He’s more aggressive than his walk rates let on, and also shows a good balance of aggression and patience. Even though Barber has improved his ability to hit the ball in the air to his pull side, his power production and underlying exit velocity data has not taken a corresponding jump. Barber is an average runner with fringe-average defense in a corner outfield spot. His throwing arm is average.

The Future: Barber is a solid all-around player with refined skills, but he lacks the impact or athleticism to be an everyday player.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: After a shoulder injury cut his season short in 2021, Barber needed a resurgent year. Signed for $1 million as a fourth-round pick in 2019, Barber had just 44 games of affiliated ball under his belt entering 2022. He returned to High-A Asheville, where he had played just 16 games the year before. Barber missed a month with a right shoulder strain but hit .298/.408/.450 otherwise, albeit with a stark home-road split.

Scouting Report: Barber's profile is centered around his combination of above-average bat-to-ball skills, above-average approach and projectable power. Despite a well-synced leg lift trigger, Barber's swing is mostly based around his upper body and the way his hands work. He shows an above-average ability to discern balls from strikes and rarely expands the zone. His contact quality leaves something to be desired, and he struggles to drive the ball in the air to his pull side. A majority of Barber's best contact comes in the form of hard-struck liners to the opposite field and fly balls to center. Barber's present power is below-average but he shows flashes of above-average potential and has traits that could still be further optimized. Aa above-average runner, Barber has seen time in all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center field. He has an average throwing arm.

The Future: The 2022 season was the first in which Barber has put together a lengthy stretch when he was both productive and healthy. He profiles as a second-division regular outfielder but his shoulder issues in recent seasons are concerning. Barber should begin the 2023 season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 45. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
Track Record: Barber received a $1 million signing bonus after the Astros took him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He played 20 games of independent ball during the coronavirus pandemic and joined the Astros’ alternate training site in September for developmental purposes. He was touted as a potential breakout candidate when minor league play resumed in 2021, but he played just 16 games at High-A Asheville before injuring his shoulder and having season-ending surgery.

Scouting Report: Barber has retooled his stance and swing to eliminate some of the rollover ground balls to the right side that previously plagued him. He digs his heel into the ground before starting his hands and finishes with his top hand up, allowing him to loft the ball and capitalize on his above-average raw power from the left side. Barber’s patient approach disappeared during his brief 2021 season in favor of an aggressive, strikeout-filled stint that caused some worry. He has above-average speed and an average arm that could stick in center field or profile well in right. Within the organization, Barber’s elite work ethic and determined demeanor have drawn comparisons to Alex Bregman.

The Future: Barber has perhaps more upside than any of the Astros’ crew of young, recently drafted outfielders, but he has to show he’s healthy. He should start 2022 back at Asheville.
Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

TRACK RECORD: Barber signed an above-slot deal of $1 million with the Astros as a fourth-round pick in 2019. With the 2020 minor league season canceled, Barber’s summer started in Joliet, Ill., where he was one of the youngest hitters in the independent City of Champions Cup league. Later on, the Astros added Barber to their alternate training site, where he was the youngest player in camp, then in the fall went to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber is a focused, diligent worker with a fast bat and above-average raw power. He takes a fairly simple, direct cut from the left side that produces hard contact, albeit with some swing and miss. He has had a tendency to roll over with his top hand, leading to too many grounders to his pull side, but he has worked to stay through the ball better, which should help his power show up more in games. He has a patient approach, sometimes to the point where scouts would like to see him be more aggressive on pitches he can drive. Barber is an above-average runner with a chance to stick in center field with an average arm that could play in right field.

THE FUTURE: Barber’s potential stands out in a farm system that’s light on young position players. An assignment to one of Houston’s Class A clubs is where he will likely start in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Barber is the highest-drafted player ever picked out of Chico, Calif.'s Pleasant Valley High (and only the third player ever drafted from that high school). He had impressed at the Area Code Games, which was very useful for him as he didn't face much competition during the high school season. The Astros spent $1 million (far above slot for a fourth-round pick). After a slow start as a pro, Barber hit .306/.433/.429 in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber has a chance to be a special hitter. He has excellent bat speed and advanced bat-to-ball skills. He has above-average raw power right now, largely to the pull side, but he right now focuses on putting together quality at-bats. He has enough of a batting eye to let a wild pitcher walk him, although he still has work to do on his two-strike approach. Defensively, Barber played all three outfield spots in his debut and is currently a plus runner. But there is some belief that he will eventually slow down and fit better in a corner outfield spot.

THE FUTURE: The Astros do not have many position players who project as MLB regulars, but Barber does and could quickly become one of the team's best prospects. He should be ready for low Class A Quad Cities in 2020.

Draft Prospects

A 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder committed to Oregon, Barber has exciting pop in his lefthanded bat and impressed scouts with his bat speed and running ability last summer at the Area Code Games. Some scouts thought he had one of the quickest bats of the event, which is saying something considering the amount of talent there annually. Barber shows above-average raw power in batting practice, though it's mostly to the pull-side during games. This spring, Barber has more than handled himself with the bat, including a three-homer performance in his first game of the season--though Barber does face lower-level high school competition. Defensively, while Barber is a plus runner now, some scouts believe he will wind up in a corner in the future.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: After a shoulder injury cut his season short in 2021, Barber needed a resurgent year. Signed for $1 million as a fourth-round pick in 2019, Barber had just 44 games of affiliated ball under his belt entering 2022. He returned to High-A Asheville, where he had played just 16 games the year before. Barber missed a month with a right shoulder strain but hit .298/.408/.450 otherwise, albeit with a stark home-road split.

Scouting Report: Barber's profile is centered around his combination of above-average bat-to-ball skills, above-average approach and projectable power. Despite a well-synced leg lift trigger, Barber's swing is mostly based around his upper body and the way his hands work. He shows an above-average ability to discern balls from strikes and rarely expands the zone. His contact quality leaves something to be desired, and he struggles to drive the ball in the air to his pull side. A majority of Barber's best contact comes in the form of hard-struck liners to the opposite field and fly balls to center. Barber's present power is below-average but he shows flashes of above-average potential and has traits that could still be further optimized. Aa above-average runner, Barber has seen time in all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center field. He has an average throwing arm.

The Future: The 2022 season was the first in which Barber has put together a lengthy stretch when he was both productive and healthy. He profiles as a second-division regular outfielder but his shoulder issues in recent seasons are concerning. Barber should begin the 2023 season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 45. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: After a shoulder injury cut his season short in 2021, Barber needed a resurgent year. Signed for $1 million as a fourth-round pick in 2019, Barber had just 44 games of affiliated ball under his belt entering 2022. He returned to High-A Asheville, where he had played just 16 games the year before. Barber missed a month with a right shoulder strain but hit .298/.408/.450 otherwise, albeit with a stark home-road split.

Scouting Report: Barber's profile is centered around his combination of above-average bat-to-ball skills, above-average approach and projectable power. Despite a well-synced leg lift trigger, Barber's swing is mostly based around his upper body and the way his hands work. He shows an above-average ability to discern balls from strikes and rarely expands the zone. His contact quality leaves something to be desired, and he struggles to drive the ball in the air to his pull side. A majority of Barber's best contact comes in the form of hard-struck liners to the opposite field and fly balls to center. Barber's present power is below-average but he shows flashes of above-average potential and has traits that could still be further optimized. Aa above-average runner, Barber has seen time in all three outfield spots and has a chance to stick in center field. He has an average throwing arm.

The Future: The 2022 season was the first in which Barber has put together a lengthy stretch when he was both productive and healthy. He profiles as a second-division regular outfielder but his shoulder issues in recent seasons are concerning. Barber should begin the 2023 season with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 45. Run: 55. Field: 50. Arm: 50.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Barber received a $1 million signing bonus after the Astros took him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He played 20 games of independent ball during the coronavirus pandemic and joined the Astros&#39 alternate training site in September for developmental purposes. He was touted as a potential breakout candidate when minor league play resumed in 2021, but he played just 16 games at High-A Asheville before injuring his shoulder and having season-ending surgery.

Scouting Report: Barber has retooled his stance and swing to eliminate some of the rollover ground balls to the right side that previously plagued him. He digs his heel into the ground before starting his hands and finishes with his top hand up, allowing him to loft the ball and capitalize on his above-average raw power from the left side. Barber&#39s patient approach disappeared during his brief 2021 season in favor of an aggressive, strikeout-filled stint that caused some worry. He has above-average speed and an average arm that could stick in center field or profile well in right. Within the organization, Barber&#39s elite work ethic and determined demeanor have drawn comparisons to Alex Bregman.

The Future: Barber has perhaps more upside than any of the Astros&#39 crew of young, recently drafted outfielders, but he has to show he&#39s healthy. He should start 2022 back at Asheville.
Track Record: Barber received a $1 million signing bonus after the Astros took him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He played 20 games of independent ball during the coronavirus pandemic and joined the Astros’ alternate training site in September for developmental purposes. He was touted as a potential breakout candidate when minor league play resumed in 2021, but he played just 16 games at High-A Asheville before injuring his shoulder and having season-ending surgery.

Scouting Report: Barber has retooled his stance and swing to eliminate some of the rollover ground balls to the right side that previously plagued him. He digs his heel into the ground before starting his hands and finishes with his top hand up, allowing him to loft the ball and capitalize on his above-average raw power from the left side. Barber’s patient approach disappeared during his brief 2021 season in favor of an aggressive, strikeout-filled stint that caused some worry. He has above-average speed and an average arm that could stick in center field or profile well in right. Within the organization, Barber’s elite work ethic and determined demeanor have drawn comparisons to Alex Bregman.

The Future: Barber has perhaps more upside than any of the Astros’ crew of young, recently drafted outfielders, but he has to show he’s healthy. He should start 2022 back at Asheville.
Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

TRACK RECORD: Barber signed an above-slot deal of $1 million with the Astros as a fourth-round pick in 2019. With the 2020 minor league season canceled, Barber's summer started in Joliet, Ill., where he was one of the youngest hitters in the independent City of Champions Cup league. Later on, the Astros added Barber to their alternate training site, where he was the youngest player in camp, then in the fall went to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber is a focused, diligent worker with a fast bat and above-average raw power. He takes a fairly simple, direct cut from the left side that produces hard contact, albeit with some swing and miss. He has had a tendency to roll over with his top hand, leading to too many grounders to his pull side, but he has worked to stay through the ball better, which should help his power show up more in games. He has a patient approach, sometimes to the point where scouts would like to see him be more aggressive on pitches he can drive. Barber is an above-average runner with a chance to stick in center field with an average arm that could play in right field.

THE FUTURE: Barber's potential stands out in a farm system that's light on young position players. An assignment to one of Houston's Class A clubs is where he will likely start in 2021.
Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

TRACK RECORD: Barber signed an above-slot deal of $1 million with the Astros as a fourth-round pick in 2019. With the 2020 minor league season canceled, Barber’s summer started in Joliet, Ill., where he was one of the youngest hitters in the independent City of Champions Cup league. Later on, the Astros added Barber to their alternate training site, where he was the youngest player in camp, then in the fall went to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber is a focused, diligent worker with a fast bat and above-average raw power. He takes a fairly simple, direct cut from the left side that produces hard contact, albeit with some swing and miss. He has had a tendency to roll over with his top hand, leading to too many grounders to his pull side, but he has worked to stay through the ball better, which should help his power show up more in games. He has a patient approach, sometimes to the point where scouts would like to see him be more aggressive on pitches he can drive. Barber is an above-average runner with a chance to stick in center field with an average arm that could play in right field.

THE FUTURE: Barber’s potential stands out in a farm system that’s light on young position players. An assignment to one of Houston’s Class A clubs is where he will likely start in 2021.
Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Running: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

TRACK RECORD: Barber signed an above-slot deal of $1 million with the Astros as a fourth-round pick in 2019. With the 2020 minor league season canceled, Barber’s summer started in Joliet, Ill., where he was one of the youngest hitters in the independent City of Champions Cup league. Later on, the Astros added Barber to their alternate training site, where he was the youngest player in camp, then in the fall went to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber is a focused, diligent worker with a fast bat and above-average raw power. He takes a fairly simple, direct cut from the left side that produces hard contact, albeit with some swing and miss. He has had a tendency to roll over with his top hand, leading to too many grounders to his pull side, but he has worked to stay through the ball better, which should help his power show up more in games. He has a patient approach, sometimes to the point where scouts would like to see him be more aggressive on pitches he can drive. Barber is an above-average runner with a chance to stick in center field with an average arm that could play in right field.

THE FUTURE: Barber’s potential stands out in a farm system that’s light on young position players. An assignment to one of Houston’s Class A clubs is where he will likely start in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Barber is the highest-drafted player ever picked out of Chico, Calif.’s Pleasant Valley High (and only the third player ever drafted from that high school). He had impressed at the Area Code Games, which was very useful for him as he didn’t face much competition during the high school season. The Astros spent $1 million (far above slot for a fourth-round pick). After a slow start as a pro, Barber hit .306/.433/.429 in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber has a chance to be a special hitter. He has excellent bat speed and advanced bat-to-ball skills. He has above-average raw power right now, largely to the pull side, but he right now focuses on putting together quality at-bats. He has enough of a batting eye to let a wild pitcher walk him, although he still has work to do on his two-strike approach. Defensively, Barber played all three outfield spots in his debut and is currently a plus runner. But there is some belief that he will eventually slow down and fit better in a corner outfield spot.

THE FUTURE: The Astros do not have many position players who project as MLB regulars, but Barber does and could quickly become one of the team’s best prospects. He should be ready for low Class A Quad Cities in 2020.
TRACK RECORD: Barber is the highest-drafted player ever picked out of Chico, Calif.'s Pleasant Valley High (and only the third player ever drafted from that high school). He had impressed at the Area Code Games, which was very useful for him as he didn't face much competition during the high school season. The Astros spent $1 million (far above slot for a fourth-round pick). After a slow start as a pro, Barber hit .306/.433/.429 in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: Barber has a chance to be a special hitter. He has excellent bat speed and advanced bat-to-ball skills. He has above-average raw power right now, largely to the pull side, but he right now focuses on putting together quality at-bats. He has enough of a batting eye to let a wild pitcher walk him, although he still has work to do on his two-strike approach. Defensively, Barber played all three outfield spots in his debut and is currently a plus runner. But there is some belief that he will eventually slow down and fit better in a corner outfield spot.

THE FUTURE: The Astros do not have many position players who project as MLB regulars, but Barber does and could quickly become one of the team's best prospects. He should be ready for low Class A Quad Cities in 2020.
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder committed to Oregon, Barber has exciting pop in his lefthanded bat and impressed scouts with his bat speed and running ability last summer at the Area Code Games. Some scouts thought he had one of the quickest bats of the event, which is saying something considering the amount of talent there annually. Barber shows above-average raw power in batting practice, though it's mostly to the pull-side during games. This spring, Barber has more than handled himself with the bat, including a three-homer performance in his first game of the season--though Barber does face lower-level high school competition. Defensively, while Barber is a plus runner now, some scouts believe he will wind up in a corner in the future.