Alfredo Duno's path is becoming crucial for Reds' long-term plans

In the long-term, the Cicninnati Reds have stability. Just four players from the Opening Day roster will be free agents at year’s end. Two of those (Nathaniel Lowe and Brock Burke) are interchangeable pieces that could be DFA’d at some point this season, and Brady Singer, though a valuable member of the starting rotation, could yield his spot to any number of Reds prospects in 2027. The departure of Tyler Stephenson, though, presents a problem with only one solution: Alfredo Duno.

Extension talks with Stephenson have been unproductive, and with Jose Trevino as the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, the future of the backstop position is anything but certain.

Trevino is an asset as a leader and can fill in a spot start here and there, but he is in the waning years of his career and fits the backup role perfectly. Top prospect Duno, then, is the Reds’ best internal option, which could put a lot of pressure on the 20-year-old.

Tyler Stephenson's potential departure puts emphasis on Alfredo Duno’s development

Duno has already made the first big step to the majors. After finally playing a full season of pro ball in Low-A Daytona in 2025, Duno is heading to High-A Dayton to start the 2026 season. It’s a similar path that other young stars such as Sal Stewart and Hector Rodriguez have taken in the Reds’ farm system. Once they had about 100 games in Low-A under their belt, they jumped to High-A, played there for a full season, and then rocked through Double- and Triple-A the following year.

Duno’s rise might not be as fast as that of Stewart or Rodriguez. He dealt with injuries early in his career, and he plays a highly technical and specialized position. Even if Duno sails through the upper levels, he likely won’t be ready to break into the majors by Opening Day 2027. The optimistic estimate is more like September call-ups in 2027 or Opening Day 2028.

Still, the kid is doing everything he can to become the Reds’ next long-term starter behind the plate. He worked with All-Star and catching legend Salvador Perez during the offseason. He made up for lost time by playing in the Arizona Fall League in 2025. He even impressed as a non-roster invitee to spring training, posting an .833 OPS over seven games. While the probable loss of Stephenson will be a setback for the Reds, there’s real hope on the horizon.