Cincinnati Reds: Will Tucker Barnhart remain in his starting spot?

Tucker Barnhart was activated from the injured list, but he’ll need to improve his play if he wants to remain in his starting spot as the Cincinnati Reds catcher.

The Cincinnati Reds activated Tucker Barnhart from the injured list after placing Juan Graterol on the seven-day concussion list. Graterol took two foul balls off his facemask during his last start and had to leave the game. Ryan Lavarnway was pulled from tonight’s start tonight and Tucker will be back behind the plate catching for Luis Castillo. Can he lockdown the starting job?

Barnhart has been a bit of a punching bag this season. The former Gold Glove Award winner has struggled offensively most of the season. While Barnhart’s never been one to hit .300, his batting average this season is below the Mendoza line. Tucker’s slashing .191/.290/.315 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs.

To make matters worse, Barnhart’s teammates, Kyle Farmer and Curt Casali, have provided more pop at the plate. Casali, who’s currently on the 10-day injured list, is hitting .253 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs. Farmer, who’s expected to return from the seven-day concussion list very soon, has been behind the plate on six occasions this season and has 6 home runs and 22 RBIs.

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No one will question Barnhart’s ability behind the plate. Even though he’s not at that elite-level defensively that we saw during the 2017 season, he’s still an above-average catcher. The biggest question for Barnhart is his offense. While the Reds have struggled as a team this season. we’re seeing career-lows from Barnhart.

Tucker’s career average before this season was .254 and his OPS+ was 86. This season, with an OPS+ of 57, Barnhart is making it difficult for David Bell to keep him in the lineup. While his defense and pitch framing are stellar, that doesn’t make up for his lack of hitting. Barnhart’s catcher framing runs above average, has risen from -14.0 in 2018 to 3.6 this season.

Reds Country will be ecstatic to have Barnhart back in the lineup after seeing the club select the contract of Juan Graterol and offer a one-year deal to journeyman catcher Ryan Lavarnway. While both have performed admirably, they can’t replace what Barnhart brings to the table.

However, the bigger question for Barnhart will surface when the Cincinnati Reds reactivate Casali and Farmer. While platooning all three, with the lion share of starts going to Casali and Barnhart, may work for now, the Reds may have other options this coming offseason.

Tucker Barnhart was thought to be on the trading block while the club was in pursuit of J.T. Realmuto. Barnhart’s contract is very team-friendly and he is a fan favorite. Hopefully we see the same Barnhart that emerged as one of the best young catchers in the game back in 2017. That season he hit .270 with 44 RBIs. That type of offensive output would be well received.