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Blue Jays prospect Brandon Barriera discusses the impact of injuries on his career ‘There’s been a lot of reflecting’
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Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
Michael Coyle
Nov 6, 2026, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 5, 2026, 21:13 EST
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Brandon Barriera’s path since becoming a professional baseball player has been marred by injuries at almost every step of the way. 
Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round, 23rd overall, during the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, Barriera has pitched in only 28 games over the course of his four seasons since joining the organization. 
While Tommy John surgery cost Barriera much of 2024, he returned in June 2025, but saw his season come to a close after only five outings due to a fracture in his pitching arm, an injury that once again cut his season short. 
Barriera entered 2026 in full health, and while the left-hander missed more than two months due to injury, he was able to pitch in the most games during a season since turning pro. Across 15 outings (13 starts) between both Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver, Barriera went 0-3 with a 4.89 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Barriera struck out 40 batters across 38.2 innings and was hit at a .253 clip. 
While those numbers don’t jump off the page, just being able to get back on the field and pitch more consistently is a big step in Barriera’s journey. With all the downtime due to injuries, Barriera stated while speaking to MLB.com in Arizona this week that this season helped rejuvenate his love for the game. 
“There’s been a lot of reflecting and just really trying to figure out who I am as a player and as a person. Knowing that baseball comes and goes and knowing my identity can’t be this game because it’s a failing game, we all know that,” Barriera said. “Obviously, just falling in love with the game all over again as well. Obviously, two years removed, it’s hard. Getting back into it, being around these guys, the guys in Florida, and just learning the game all over again, it’s been awesome.” 
After finishing the 2026 season in Vancouver with the Canadians, Barriera headed to the Arizona Fall League to continue working on his development heading into the 2027 campaign.
Barriera has pitched in five games with the Mesa Solar Sox and has recorded a 5.68 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP. The 22-year-old has struck out six batters, walked nine, and limited opponents to a .182 average across 6.1 innings pitched. 
“It’s definitely been a good start. We had a little bump in the road halfway through, but I mean it happens, it’s just part of the game. I’m just trying to stay in the zone, attack hitters, and get ahead early, that’s just the name of the game. The quicker I can get to 0-2, the better things will happen for me,” Barriera said. “I’m so grateful that they have trust and belief in me to come out here, show what I can do, and be an example for the Blue Jays organization.”
Set to be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, Barriera is unlikely to be selected due to his injury history, but as Blue Jays fans saw with Spencer Miles last offseason, leaving a player off the 40-man roster always opens an opportunity for another club to swoop in and take them.

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