Barrass has played all eight games for the Hawks (6-2) since his high-profile move from West Coast at the end of last season.
But the 29-year-old will sit out the encounter with the Demons at the MCG on Saturday as Mitchell and his coaching staff take a long-term view on player management.
"When we recruited him, we didn't think he'd play every game for the season," Mitchell said before Thursday's training session at Waverley Park.
"He's had a really good block, played every game (so far) and been in good form for us.
"We thought the chance of him playing every minute of every game consistently was going to be difficult.
"He could play (this week), but we're going to manage his training loads to make sure we get the best out of him for the whole season.
"It wouldn't surprise me if we do that, from this point on, a couple of other times through the year."
Fellow senior players like in-form veteran Jack Gunston could also be rested in the coming weeks.
The Hawks face a tough fixture over the next month, with games against top-eight sides Gold Coast, the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs before the bye.
"Winning is first and foremost, and you want to make sure you don't sacrifice that (by resting players)," Mitchell said.
"But being able to win as many games as you can to qualify (for finals) is the thing on our mind at the moment."
Young key forward Calsher Dear is a chance to return for Hawthorn after two games at VFL level on return from a back stress fracture.
Dear, 19, kicked 25 goals from 17 appearances in his outstanding debut season but is yet to play a senior game this year.
"Last week we didn't consider him available and now it's whether or not we think it's best for him to play (at AFL level)," Mitchell said.
"Certainly we'd like to get him back in but we want to do it at the time that's best for him.
"That may be this week or it may be a little bit further down the road."
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