‘It’s a Dream Come True,’ Hunter Barco Gives Pirates Another Promising Young Pitcher
CINCINNATI – The Pittsburgh Pirates have already had a number of top pitching prospects find success in the big leagues this season.
Mike Burrows, who made his MLB debut at the end of last season, has made 22 appearances on the year and is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA. Braxton Ashcraft’s 2.62 ERA is second among rookies to log at least 60 innings. Top prospect Bubba Chandler earned a save and a win in his first two appearances and is 3-1 with a 4.56 ERA after getting called up last month.
There’s a new addition to the mix as the Pirates selected the contract of left-hander Hunter Barco ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
“It’s a dream come true,” Barco said after getting called up. “I’ve been working for it my whole life. Excited to be here.”
Barco is the Pirates’ fourth-best prospect per MLB Pipeline and is ranked 82nd overall on the top 100 list.
“Really cool,” manager Don Kelly said of Barco’s promotion. “Getting to see him down in spring training, [he has] an electric arm. Obviously well deserving of the prospect pedigree. He’s had a really good year in Triple-A. Excited to add him to the mix in the big leagues.”
The Pirates originally drafted the left-hander in the second round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Florida. Barco was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the time his name was announced, which pushed back his professional debut well into the 2023 season.
Barco started this year with Double-A Altoona, where he didn’t allow a run and surrendered just 11 hits with 34 strikeouts in 25.2 innings across six starts. The Pirates promoted the 24-year-old to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he went 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA in 21 appearances/17 starts before selecting his contract on Tuesday.
“Yeah, I had a really good start in Double-A, ended up in Triple-A,” said Barco. “Just getting here, it’s been good. I’ve evolved a lot. Where my stuff works, where it doesn’t and how to attack different hitters.”
Had it not been for several injuries, Barco would have made his big-league debut even sooner.
In addition to undergoing Tommy John surgery in college, Barco’s 2024 season was cut short after 18 games due to a leg injury. He also spent a little bit of time on the injured list earlier this season due to a shoulder issue, though he avoided a lengthy stint on the IL.
“It’s been a lot of ups and downs with health. I’ve been able to stay healthy for this season and really just learned how my body works and what I can do to get the most of it.
Though the majority of his professional career has come as a starting pitcher, Barco will pitch out of the bullpen in his first stint in the big leagues.
“Really excited to see that stuff play out in the big leagues,” said Kelly. “He had a good year in Triple-A. Some ups and downs, just like everybody has. Has electric stuff.”
Barco was minor-league teammates with a lot of guys currently on the Pirates’ pitching staff. After watching several get the call from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh and find success, he will get his turn at the end of the season.
“Yeah, I mean it’s awesome. This is what everyone’s been talking about the last couple years is getting that group up here,” said Barco. “We’re here and ready to win some baseball games.”
More about: Pirates