Alberto Barriga

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #19 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
  
  Track Record: The Diamondbacks originally scouted Barriga as a second baseman, but he had converted to catcher by the time they signed him for $20,000 in January 2022. He immediately opened eyes in his debut that year in the Dominican Summer League and continued to impress the following season before enduring a horrific injury in the complex league, suffering a compound fracture of his left femur rounding first base. The injury cost him the rest of the season. He returned to the field in 2024 looking like essentially the same player, hitting .276/.362/.432 over 46 games in the complex league before a six-game cameo in Low-A to end the year.
  
  Scouting Report: With a compact frame and short levers, Barriga has an aggressive approach yet makes enough contact and has shown he can hit the ball harder than expected given his size. He already ranks among the better defensive catchers in the system, pairing receiving skills that are at least average with a double-plus arm that is both powerful and accurate. His biggest knock is his size, which raises questions about his impact potential and his durability.
  
  The Future: Barriga’s ability to seamlessly return from what could have been a catastrophic injury speaks to his work ethic and provides reason to believe he will continue to get the most out of his undersized frame. Most see a future backup, but his defense might be so good that he won’t need to hit much to carve out a bigger role.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 70.