Newly-signed infielder Josh Harrison has unique ties to Reds minor league manager

Playing for the Reds is a dream come true for any young man who grew up in the city of Cincinnati. Players like Joe Nuxhall, Dave Parker, and Ken Griffey Jr. know what it's like to don the wishbone "C" cap and take the field in front of the hometown fans.

Scooter Gennett lived out that dream several years ago. After being plucked off waivers in 2017, Gennett turned his brief tenure in a Reds uniform into an All-Star campaign in 2018. Barry Larkin was drafted by his hometown team, spent his entire career with the Reds, and was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Josh Harrison is the latest Cincinnati native to return to his roots. The Reds signed Harrison to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. The longtime Pittsburgh Pirates infielder will be looking to secure that final spot on the Reds roster this spring. But there's more than just local ties that connect Harrison to the Reds organization.

Newly-signed infielder Josh Harrison has unique ties to Reds minor league manager

Josh Harrison's brother, Vince Harrison Jr., was named the manager of the Dayton Dragons earlier this year. Harrison Jr.'s first year in the Reds organization came last year as a member of Pat Kelly's squad down at Triple-A Louisville. Harrison will now be given the opportunity to run the show with the Reds' High-A affiliate in Dayton.

Vince was a professional baseball just like his brother, Josh, but the eldest never made it to The Show. Vince Harrison Jr. played football and baseball for the University of Kentucky, and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001. Harrison Jr. spent nine seasons in the minors and independent leagues and retired from baseball after playing for the York Revolution of the Atlantic League in 2011.

Josh Harrison will be looking to break camp with the Reds after spending last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Harrison left Pittsburgh after 2018 and has since played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and the Phillies. Harrison will have to outplay the likes of Stuart Fairchild, Nick Martini, and Jose Barrero in order to earn a roster spot.

It's possible that Harrison, if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, will accept an outright assignment to the minors. While he's unlikely to land with his brother in Dayton, perhaps a rehab assignment at some point during the 2024 season would see the two sharing the same field. Until then, they'll enjoy each other's company in Goodyear, Arizona during spring training.