Reds: 3 players who should be All-Stars, but will fall short

2 of 3

CINCINNATI, OHIO – MAY 02: Tucker Barnhart #16 of the Cincinnati Reds walks across the field. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. Tucker Barnhart, Reds catcher

It’s not that Tucker Barnhart is undeserving of an All-Star appearance. In fact, his offensive production, for the first time since 2017, is matching his stellar defense behind the plate. But, there are just too many outstanding catchers in the National League, it seems like a stretch for the Cincinnati Reds backstop to make his first All-Star Game.

Barnhart, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is well on his way to snagging his third piece of hardware. Cincinnati’s catcher is second, behind only Pittsburgh’s Jacob Stallings, in defensive runs saved (DRS) among NL backstops. Barnhart has 4 DRS in 2021 according to FanGraphs.

Unfortunately for Tucker Barnhart, while he’s having a solid 2021 season, so are many other catchers throughout the NL. Former MVP Buster Posey is slashing .321/.403/.571. He, along with Omar Narvaez, J.T. Realmuto, and Carson Kelly all have an OPS of .855 or better.

Add to that list Will Smith, the Los Angeles Dodgers catcher who’s hitting .275/.373/.456, and it’ll take a lot for Barnhart to take one of the spots on the NL’s All-Star roster. Let’s also not forget every Reds’ fans most-hated player, Yadier Molina.

Though he’s only played in 41 games, Molina has an OPS of .808 and is likely in his final season with the Cardinals. Don’t think for one second that part of the intrigue surrounding the Midsummer Classic is storytelling, and what better way to send Molina off into the sunset than by being voted to his 10th All-Star Game.

Home/Reds Rumors