Scouting grades 20–80
50Hit
45Power
70Run
50Field
50Arm
Barker didn't play in many of the big showcase events this summer, but a loud fall and spring have made him quite a buzzy name in scouting circles.
Barker has a lithe, athletic 6-foot-1 frame with plenty of strength gains still to project on further down the line. He's a burner who has at times flashed 80 grade run times, and regularly will turn in 70 run times when underway. From the left side of the plate, Barker sets up from an open stance with a slightly higher hand set. Lightning quick hands allow him the luxury to make late decisions in the box and battle in two strike counts. He has exceptional bat-to-ball skills and stays on pitches well, with plenty of contact ability on pitches outside the zone. Barker is starting to learn how to get to his pullside, though his ground ball rates can get quite inflamed at times which can limit his production from an impact standpoint. While it's unlikely he'll ever be the true slugging type, it's easy to dream on what the addition of 15-20 pounds of muscle along with improved feel for launch could do to Barker's game.
Barker plays a lot of third base at his high school, Casteel, in Arizona, however he could get a shot to prove he could stick at shortstop in pro ball. He's rangy enough to play at the position, and owns above average arm strength. Even if he does move off the position, Barker has the perfect toolset to shift off to center field, where his legs would play more than great. Overall, this is really fun traits across the board, with plenty to get excited about from a player development standpoint. The only thing really holding Barker back is his age, as he'll be 19.6 on draft day, not much favoring models. Still, the traits here are loud enough to where Barker could get signed away from his Texas Tech commitment somewhere on day one.
