Hunter Barco was receiving first-round interest before needing Tommy John while at Florida, erasing most of his final year in college, and much of his first as a pro.

Fast forward to 2025, Barco began the year in Altoona with the Curve, tossing 25 2/3 shutout innings before getting promoted to Indianapolis. He struggled a bit more with his control there, walking 13% of the batters he faced, but he has a long track record of throwing strikes.

He pitched twice out of the bullpen for the Pirates in the majors, allowing three hits and striking out three over three innings pitched, also picking up his first win.

Despite being limited on his workload, Barco managed to cross the century mark when it comes to innings pitched. 

It’s primarily a fastball, slider, and splitter, the latter of which is his best pitch, generating a 41.5% whiff rate while at Triple-A.

Barco projects better as a back-of-the-rotation starter, who could also follow the same path that Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler went by, beginning in the bullpen. The more likely starting point in 2026 is in the minors, where they can manage his workload and he can provide depth.