Longtime Cincinnati Reds catcher and former fan-favorite Tucker Barnhart is hanging up his cleats. According to FanSided's Robert Murray, the two-time Gold Glove Award-winner is retiring after 12 Major League seasons.
After making his Major League debut on April 3, 2014, Barnhart took over behind the plate for Devin Mesoraco on a permanent basis in 2016. A former 10th-round draft pick out of Brownsburg High School in Indiana, Barnhart started 106 games for the Reds that season after serving as Mesoraco's backup during his first two years in the league.
Barnhart's greatest season with the Reds, and arguably his greatest achievement as a big leaguer, came in 2017 when he won his first Gold Glove. The Reds backstop, who put up a stellar offensive season that year as well, gunned down nearly 44% of would-be base stealers in 2017. Barnhart won another Gold Glove during the abbreviated 2020 season after posting 8 defensive runs saved and 5 outs above average.
Beloved former Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart retires from MLB after 12 seasons and two Gold Glove Awards
Barnhart and his wife Sierra were a huge part of the Reds' community efforts during their time in Cincinnati, and quickly became beloved figures in the Queen City. Barnhart remained in Reds organization through 2021 and was traded to the Detroit Tigers after the season to pave the way for upcoming backstop Tyler Stephenson.
Barnhart spent just one year in the Motor City before bouncing around to several different organizations over the final few years of his career. He signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Cubs prior to the 2023 season, and after being released in August, agreed to minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Barnhart then signed on to play for both Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers with a minor-league stint in the Reds organization in between.
Barnhart celebrated 10 years of service time earlier this season with the Rangers, but the veteran was designated for assignment on June 1. He re-signed a minor-league deal to remain with Texas earlier this month, but it would seem that his time in the big leagues has finally run its course.
Barnhart, who spent eight seasons in a Reds uniform, finished his career with a .241 batting average, 53 home runs, and 292 RBI. That won't be enough to receive an invite to join the elites in Cooperstown, but Barnhart will always be welcome back to Cincinnati with open arms. Murray cited sources that assume Barnhart may soon go into coaching, but it's unknown if he'll go down that path.