GOODYEAR, Ariz. — It was Franklin Barreto’s birthday on Tuesday. His celebration? Two booming triples.
The A’s top prospect continued what has been an impressive spring at the plate early on, going 2 for 2 with two doubles and an RBI in a 16-8 loss to the Indians.
Barreto has set out a goal to lower his strikeout total of 174 last season between Triple-A and the major leagues. In an effort to reduce those numbers, he’s been using spring training to shorten up his leg kick in two-strike counts. It’s a slight mechanical adjustment, but Barreto believes getting the front leg down earlier will afford him the opportunity to see the ball a little longer and find more contact.