After the 2024 season, the Cincinnati Reds lost a handful of catchers to free agency at Double-A, Triple-A, and the major league level. That left them with only one catcher on the 40-man roster, Tyler Stephenson, and the need to add catchers to the upper levels of the minor minors to provide depth. Their first step down that path was signing Alex Jackson to a minor league contract shortly after minor league free agency started. They’ve also signed Will Bandfield. He has also received a minor league contract.
The 25-year-old was the Miami Marlins’ second-round pick in 2018 out of Brookwood High School. Since then, he has worked his way up the farm’s hierarchy. In
In 2023, he spent the entire season with Double-A Pensacola and had his greatest season in the minors, hitting 23 home runs and batting.258/.302/.472. He spent the entire year in Triple-A with Jacksonville. The power did not follow him to Triple-A, where he hit.247/.297/.379 with nine home runs in 371 plate appearances. There were 24 walks and 105 strikeouts. Throughout his career, he has had a lower walk rate and more strikeouts.
If we want to see where he can aid at the plate, it could be against left-handed pitchers. In 2024, he hit.306/.330/.482 versus them at Triple-A. His splits were a little wider the previous year.
Even though he had a 31-point lead while facing right-handed pitchers. Behind the plate, he stands out the most. He’s a good receiver with agility to match his strong arm. His average pop time to second base for the season with Jacksonville was 1.95. That is rated above-average and outperformed all of the Reds catchers in 2024.
Cincinnati will almost definitely sign a few additional catchers this offseason. They will hopefully find someone to be a more experienced backup at the highest level, whether through a free agent signing or a trade acquisition. However, the signing of Banfield and Jackson provides them with some depth, just as the signing of Austin Wynns did one year ago.
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