Hunter
Barco

2022 MLB Draft: One of the later Tommy John victims among top college arms, Barco looked destined for the first round before the injury. The long limbed, 6-foot-4 southpaw was up to 95 mph when at his best, working mostly in the lower 90s with a crossbody step and low 3/4 slot that provides some deception as the fastball features late arm side life. Especially tough on left-haned hitters (.143 BAA), Barco's slider (78-82) is his top offering yielding more than 45% whiffs left on left (30+ against RHH), and separates late with some sweeping action. The changeup holds the potential as a future average offering, and was given quality use in SEC play before the injury. Barco was a clear first round talent before the injury, and while that will likely move him out of Day 1 consideration, his value as a potential big league starter still remains high. Given his athleticism (a former two-way prospect) and ability to miss bats while pounding the strike zone (69K-11BB, 34H in 50.1 innings), look for a team to steal first round value early on Day 2.

Florida recruit. Long, projectable frame with broad shoulders at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. The arm action is loose and quick through a low-¾ slot. He strides down the mound in line with ease and balance. The fastball sat 90-92 with some arm-side run and he located it mostly in the bottom half of the zone. Slider has short break with some late action, has good feel for and shape, currently an average pitch, has shown above-average in the past. Has good feel for and if he shows feel for a changeup with sink and fade at 84, as well as a splitter that dives at 81. While his future is clearly on the mound, Barco shows natural left-handed power that could play at the college level.

Virginia recruit. No 1 overall 2019 and another impressive performance solidifies that. While he struggled with command in the first, allowing three runs, he showed his competitiveness, feel and athleticism to make an adjustment and not allow a hit the next five innings. He has long arms and legs and big hands and feet. Present tools are all above average and doesn't look close to done growing, so the upside is huge. He works up tempo, aggressively and from a tough, slightly crossfire delivery and 3/4 slot. The fastball was 90-93 mph and when it is down in the zone, it had late arm side action. The slider became nearly untouchable after the first. Working down in the zone at 82-84 mph, the pitch had hard, late 2/8 action with tilt. He also threw a change up at 85-86 and has large, down action, similar to that of a splitter. Overall, present tools grade out as above average and expect them to continue to make jumps.

Virginia recruit. Currently stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds with a strong, athletic frame. While Barco is known for his presence on the mound, he shows easy power at the plate from the left side with above average bat speed. During one of his at-bats, he drove a ball quickly over the right field wall during for a no-doubter solo home run.

Although Barco didn’t throw this day, the two-way players offensive toolset is nearly just as impressive. He showed off his above average arm, topping at 92 mph from the outfield and e athleticism and footwork around the bag. Although the left handed arm is what has him currently No 1 overall in the 2019 class, his bat alone would also rank him up there as well. The left-handed hitter has a slightly open stance and uses the leverage and strong wrists and forearms to create well above average bat speed. He stay out over the front foot and consistently finds the barrel out in front creating well above average pull side power and that also shows up in the 103 mph exit velocity. If Barco does make it to campus, you could see him not only making a big impact on the mound but at the plate as well. 

Barco throws out of a long 3/4 slot with a slinger-like arm action and effortlessly fills up the strike zone with 91-94 mph fastballs, all with arm-side run. The fact that he can command such movement, seemingly putting it where he wants, is extremely rare at his age. Now mix in an 82-85 mph sweeping slider with sharp, late bite and a mid-80s changeup with fading action—all coming out of the same window and arm action—and hitters have little chance for success.

The big, lean, strong Virginia recruit looks every bit the part on the mound. Barco stared out the first inning with a fastball that worked 88-91 mph, before settling in and pitching at 86-88 occasionally running it up a little better when need. The lefty has a clean, somewhat short arm action coupled with a drop-and-drive type delivery. He tends to be somewhat weak with his front side as well, but overall the ball jumps out of his hand with life. As he continues to log innings and stay over the rubber a bit longer while becoming stronger with the front side, the sky's the limit and the velocity will make a big jump from an already impressive fastball. Barco also showed a feel for both a changeup at 78-82 mph that he would throw to both right and left handed hitter as well as a slider at 75-77 mph with a quality shape. Barco also showcased his power the day before, driving a ball deep over the right field wall. He is young, with a great frame and a lot of tools. He is nowhere near maxed out and has big upside both on the mound and at the plate.

Virginia recruit. Currently ranked No. 5 in the Florida 2019 class, No. 7 Overall. He has a strong, athletic and projectable 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame with a strong lower half,  quick arm, low three-quarters arm action and hides the ball well. Delivers across his body. His fastball sits 86-88 mph with life, throwing it  for a high percentage of strikes. He also flashes a 74-75 mph change-up. Barco pitches with confidence and gets stronger the deeper he goes in games. He’s a young, projectable arm with more velocity to come as he matures physically.

Committed to University of Virginia.