Breakout prospect prediction will have anxious Reds fans waiting with bated breath

While the baseball offseason is mainly headlined by what the Major League team is doing to prepare for the next year, keeping an eye out on the organization's prospects is just as important. The trajectory of every young player can go up or down with each passing campaign, and that can be a bit unnerving sometimes.

Cincinnati Reds prospects have been part of the conversation this winter, whether it's an up-and-coming flamethrower like Zach Maxwell who could ready to fill a vacancy in the bullpen, or a big name completely dominating the circuit. But Alfredo Duno, the Reds' top catching prospect, has not been on everyone's radar. But his breakout potential has Cincinnati fans looking on with great intrigue.

Expectations are high for Reds prospect Alfredo Duno

Duno will be 19 years old this week, and although he is still not close to becoming a big leaguer, there is plenty to get excited about surrounding the young catcher. Duno spent part of the 2024 season recovering from an injury, but his short-term numbers began to show plenty of potential. Duno tallied 11 extra-base hits in 32 games at Single-A Daytona and slashed .267/.367/.422. The young backstop especially turned it up in May, registering a .390 on-base percentage before falling to a rib injury.

The breakout potential is still there on offense, but also behind the plate. He recorded 17 assists in 21 games as a catcher thanks to his 60-grade arm, proving that a prior elbow issue is no longer a worry. Duno is drawing comparisons to San Diego's Ethan Salas, a fellow international catching prospect in the San Diego Padres organization who hasn't quite reached Double-A just yet. Duno is in good company with Salas — a consensus top 20 prospect.

Currently, Tyler Stephenson is looking to build off his successful 2024 campaign that saw him lace 26 doubles and 19 home runs, so he could continue to hold down the fort in the meantime. But MLB.com listed Duno as their top breakout prospect in the Reds organization, and that is welcome considering the number of failed catching prospects Cincinnati has seen over the years.

Duno is still very young, but to be tabbed as the Reds' next potential breakout player is no joke. He has proven his skills on both sides of the ball, and while it's great to get excited, there's no need to rush him into stardom. Is Stephenson sustains his 2024 output into 2025 and beyond, there'll be no need to fast track Duno to the major leagues.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors