Written by Greg Fertel
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21 October 2007
As we finish compiling our Top-30 Lists (Hiroyo has been very busy lately), I figure that I can start profiling some prospects who clearly just missed our lists. The Top-30 countdown will continue soon.
Manny Barreda
- Age: 18
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Position: Starting Pitcher
- Throws: Right
Scouting Report: Despite his stature, Barreda throws heat. His fastball ranges from 91 to 95, and he could potentially add more as he matures. Barreda throws from a low arm slot, although the Yankees are in the process of moving him closer to a 3/4 slot. They're pitching him both with the curveball and the slider for now. He has a good changeup, which should profile as a solid major league pitch once he develops. So, despite his size, Barreda has a shot at remaining a starting pitcher. More on that later.
History: The Yankees grabbed Barreda in the 12th round in 2007. He mostly fell under the radar because he pitched in a very rural area of Arizona, and his diminutive size. The Yankees saw a guy who had a good feel for pitching and threw hard, and they pounced.
This Season: Manny signed almost immediately. He spent the season with the championship GCL Yankees, pitching 39 innings with an ERA of 3.00. He struck out 44, walked 15, and allowed 3 home runs. It was a solid year. The strikeouts are nice, especially since his breaking pitches aren't very well developed. Considering how the Yankees had him playing around with different arm slots, 15 walks in 39 innings is understandable. He'll look to improve that next season, and I expect that he will.
Outlook: Judging by the Yankee's recent pattern, Barreda could spent next year in Staten Island. They'll work with him in the instructional leagues - allowing him to work on the little things involved with being a pitcher. He'll do the fielding drills and mechanical work that McAllister and Betances spent months working on this season. There is no reason to work Barreda's arm too hard. Don't expect a fast riser.
Ranking: The real issue with Barreda is where he will ultimately be destined to pitch. As a starting pitcher, he could experience durability issues due to his size. Yeah, sometimes pitchers throw heat at 5'11" (look no further than Pedro Martinez), but it's not the norm. Most guys his size end up as relief options. The Yankees will keep him as a starting pitcher in the near-term to get him as much consistent work as possible, but they'll also look to convert him if the time comes. Barreda just missed my top-30 list and Eric's. That is more demonstrative of the current Yankee minor league depth (which looks significantly deeper - even if the top end isn't as elite - than last year), than it is a knock on Barreda. He's just so far away from the majors that I couldn't justify ranking him above some other, more advanced players.
Next up: Honorable Mention Justin Snyder
