Altoona has a real “Florida Man” on the roster with Barco.
On this edition of the Pirates Prospect Update, we take a look at pitcher Hunter Barco, who is growing into one of the best pitchers in Altoona.
A standout prospect in High School coming out of Jacksonville, Barco was selected in the 24th round by the New York Mets due to his strong commitment to the Florida Gators college program, where he would opt to go to before going pro. With the Gators, Barco would further grow his draft stock as he went 17-5 with a 3.18 ERA across 29 starts in college. Following his sophomore season, Barco was drafted 44th overall by the Pirates in 2022.
2022 saw the 6’4” pitcher undergo Tommy John surgery, delaying his professional debut by about a year, so he didn’t log in a full professional season until 2024. That being said, it seems that so far it has been worth the wait. He finished this year with a 4-2 record across Greensboro and Altoona, with a 3.27 ERA in 16 starts and 83 strikeouts. A minor leg injury ended his season on July 30, but it was best that it was caught when it was before further damage could be done.
Hunter Barco (@Pirates No. 12 prospect) K’s a career-high nine batters while twirling five no-hit innings for the High-A @GSOHoppers. pic.twitter.com/liKySdyGo7
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 29, 2024
His fastball, slider, splitter, changeup mix gives him a lot of potential to be a starter in the Majors. He has worked with Minor League Pattern and Throwing Coordinator Vic Black to help further develop his unique throwing motion that the team did not want to completely change, but adjust because of the threat it poses to him injuring his elbow.
Barco and Anthony Solometo are now the organization’s highest rated pitching prospects in double-a Altoona, and are primed to have big impacts in the 2025 season.
The team is clearly taking their time with Barco as they see the potential, but are cautious moving forward with his injury history. Barco is the Pirates’ eighth ranked prospect.