Tres Barrera, a former Major League Baseball player, retires from playing and will join Lamar University as the hitting coach for the 2027 season. Barrera expressed enthusiasm about contributing to Lamar鈥檚 winning tradition and is committed to developing players to compete for championships. His experience spans four MLB seasons with the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, where he played in 57 games, contributing to the Nationals' 2019 World Series title. In addition to his MLB career, Barrera has spent nine seasons in the minors, with notable performances at both levels.

By the Numbers
  • Barrera batted .228 in the MLB with 2 home runs and 14 RBIs over 57 games.
  • In nine minor league seasons, he hit .241 with 51 home runs and 231 RBIs across 539 games.
State of Play
  • Barrera most recently played 16 games for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in 2026.
  • He aims to leverage his MLB experiences to enhance player development at Lamar.
What's Next

As hitting coach, Barrera is expected to implement strategies that encourage offensive growth and player accountability to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. His past success may help attract recruits and elevate the program鈥檚 profile.

Bottom Line

Barrera鈥檚 hiring marks a new chapter for Lamar鈥檚 baseball program, promising a focus on player development backed by firsthand major league experience. His transition from player to coach may inspire athletes while maintaining a competitive edge in collegiate baseball.