3 Reds who've exceeded expectations through 50 games and 3 who've fallen short

Reds C Luke Maile has exceeded expectations through 50 games in 2023.

It's fair to say that most of Reds Country assumed that former Cincinnati backstop Curt Casali would get the majority of starts behind the plate when Tyler Stephenson was given a break from catching duties. But that playing time has, instead, been given to Luke Maile.

Maile signed a one-year contract with the Reds during the offseason and most assumed that the University of Kentucky alum might find his way into the lineup once per week and help the Reds in their plan to decrease Stephenson's injury risk by getting him out from behind the plate on a regular basis.

But it's doubtful that anyone thought Maile would be the Reds best hitting backstop 50 games into the season. The former Cleveland Guardians catcher has posted power numbers well above both Stephenson and Casali.

Maile has also handled the pitching staff and defensive duties behind the dish quite well. Maile does a very good job at controlling the run game and has been used as a defensive replacement late in games on multiple occasions.

Unlike both TJ Friedl and Nick Senzel, Luke Maile hasn't carved out an everyday role with this year's Reds squad, and if the current roster construction holds, it's doubtful he will. But 50 games into the 2023 season, Maile has certainly exceeded the expectations of both the fans and coaching staff.