 In 2000, he was awarded the title of Serie A Young Footballer of the Year.Following his spell in Calabria, Baronio was sent to Fiorentina, and continued to develop, firmly considered one of Italy's brightest young talents; yet, he was unable to find a place in the Lazio squad, which at the time was achieving notable success both domestically and internationally.In 2002, Baronio was sent to Perugia, where he had a poor year in a side which was relegated to Serie B. Baronio then headed to Chievo and Udinese where he became a regular and began to show signs of becoming the elite footballer many expected.