Michael Barrett
| AB | 3512 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .263 |
| OBP | .32 |
| SLG | .422 |
| HR | 98 |
- Full name Michael Patrick Barrett
- Born 10/22/1976 in Atlanta, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Pace Academy
- Debut 09/19/1998
- Drafted in the 1st round (28th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 1995 (signed for $500,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Background: Barrett has been forced to learn two new positions since entering the organization but he keeps producing. After signing as a shortstop, he moved behind the plate during instructional league of his first pro year. He turned himself into an outstanding catching prospect, but the Expos decided midway through the 1998 season to move Barrett to third base. For the remainder of the season, he alternated between catcher and third before settling on third in the Arizona Fall League. Despite the shuffling, he was the Eastern League's No. 1 prospect in 1998. Strengths: Scouts refer to Barrett as "a ballplayer, with tools." He has the natural ability and the desire to be a star. If anything, he has thrived on the emotional and mental demands of playing multiple positions. He has excellent bat speed and consistently makes hard contact to all fields, rarely either walking or striking out. Barrett's defensive tools are first-rate across the board both behind the plate and at third base. At either position, he is a Gold Glove candidate with plus arm strength and easy, smooth actions. Weaknesses: Barrett is not a fast runner, which necessitated his original move from shortstop. But he has quick enough feet to play third or catch. He is slowly growing into his power potential, but the Expos have been careful not to put too much stress in that area of his development. The Future: The Expos have been criticized in many circles for shifting a potential all-star catcher, a rare and valuable commodity, to another position for the sake of Chris Widger and Bob Henley. Perhaps Barrett could move back behind the plate, but for now he will challenge Shane Andrews for the major league third-base job in spring training. And the arbitration-eligible Andrews might not even be around at the start of the season.
