The Cardinals announced that they have claimed infielder/outfielder Garrett Hampson off waivers from the Reds. Infielder/outfielder Jose Barrero has been designated for assignment as the corresponding move.
Hampson, 30, joins his third team of the season and the sixth of his career. The increasingly well-traveled utilityman has taken 60 plate appearances between the D-backs and Reds but mustered only a .167/.310/.188 batting line in that time.
It’s not an impressive batting line, but Hampson has typically been known more for his speed and defensive versatility than his production in the batter’s box. Statcast pegs him in the 85th percentile of big leaguers in terms of average sprint speed, and Hampson has extensive experience at second base, shortstop and across all three outfield positions (mostly center). He’s also logged 121 big league innings at third base. In parts of eight major league seasons, Hampson is a .238/.301/.357 hitter.
It’s not the most exciting profile, but Hampson is faster and more versatile than Barrero, who has also struggled considerably at the plate in limited time with St. Louis. The former Reds top prospect has appeared in 22 games but tallied only 31 plate appearances, batting just .138/.194/.276. Barrero has played in parts of five major league seasons and batted .182/.238/.257 in 478 turns at the plate between the Reds and Cardinals.
Because he’s out of minor league options, Barrero couldn’t simply be sent down to Triple-A. He’d first need to clear waivers — which may be his ultimate destination now that he’s been designated for assignment. The Cards will have five days to find a trade partner before they have to put Barrero on waivers (a 48-hour process) in order to have his DFA resolved within the one-week maximum. He can, of course, be placed on waivers at any point between now and day five, if the team sees fit.
Barrero has had a big season in Triple-A this year, hitting .299/.396/.517 in 101 plate appearances. He’s a career .247/.324/.475 hitter in parts of five Triple-A seasons. Barrero has played primarily shortstop in his career but has logged more outfield time in recent years as Cincinnati and St. Louis both looked to expand his versatility.
Nice pickup!
Your mom goes to college
Hey Cubbie boy, you know nothing of the St.Louis fanbase. By the way, how many WS has your team been in during the last century? My team has appeared in 9 fall classics in my 66 years and have 5 WS titles
As a Reds fan who has watched both, Hampson is better than Berrero but keep in mind it’s a very low bar. The Cards didn’t move the needle.
Of course we didn’t, but that also isn’t the point. Hampson is just the replacement borderline 27th man, nothing else.
Obviously this isn’t a world-altering move, but they’ve needed a right-handed platoon for Victor Scott in center for a while. Walker isn’t hitting and can’t play center, Barrero really isn’t hitting, and they literally do not have a right-handed outfielder at AAA. Good move.
“Cardinals have the most overrated and unknowledgeable fan base”
Says the genius who is asking in another thread if Whit Merrifield is a HOF’er.
You’re just jealous.