The Toronto Blue Jays released 20-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Freigher Barco following two seasons in the organization, “parting ways with the 20-year-old Venezuelan reliever who never pitched above Rookie ball”, according to Yahoo Sports.
Barco was born on Jan. 13, 2006, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, and signed with Toronto as an international free agent on March 13, 2025, when he was 19 years old, “born January 13, 2006, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela”, per Minor League Baseball.
During his time in the Blue Jays system, the pitcher made 26 relief appearances across two seasons without recording a start, “split between the Dominican Summer League in 2025 and the Florida Complex League in 2026”, noted Baseball Reference.
His performance declined significantly during his second professional campaign after he moved stateside, “with his walks and home runs allowed both climbed sharply”, reported Yahoo Sports.
The roster cut occurred during a broader offseason cleanup of the franchise farm system, “releasing 11 minor leaguers across two days, November 12 and 13”, according to Minor League Baseball transaction logs.
Because the young reliever never advanced past the Rookie-ball level, his departure creates no direct impact on the major league roster, “does not directly impact Toronto’s pitching outlook at the major league or upper-minors levels”, stated Yahoo Sports.
Meanwhile, the front office has focused attention on reinforcing starting pitching depth for the upcoming season, “working to reinforce starting rotation depth for 2027”, reported BVM Sports.
The organization has explored multiple high-profile free agents and trade targets, “exploring top free-agent starters including Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Michael King and even a reunion with Kevin Gausman”, according to Yahoo Sports reporting.
Barco now becomes a minor league free agent able to sign with any Major League Baseball club, “eligible to sign with any MLB club”, per transaction records.