5 Reds prospects to watch at High-A Dayton in 2023

2. Reds prospects to watch at High-A Dayton in 2023: Logan Tanner

The Cincinnati Reds really need one of the catching prospects to develop into a major league-caliber starter. Their best chance for that may lie with former Mississippi State backstop Logan Tanner. The Redlegs selected Tanner with their second-round pick a year ago.

Tanner is known more for his bat than his glove, but he is more than capable of holding down the catcher's spot over the long haul. He may not have the best arm, but the 22-year-old's receiving skills are good enough and he's not afraid to get down a block a wild pitch.

The Reds are at a crossroads with their current crop of catchers. Tyler Stephenson spent three separate stints on the IL in 2022 and the Reds QB1 heads into this season with more of a platoon role. Stephenson will see time behind the plate, but also at first base and DH.

Looking up and down the Reds farm system, Tanner represents the best possible replacement for Stephenson if the Reds decide to make his move to first base permanent. Cincinnati also has Daniel Vellojin and Mat Nelson in the pipeline, but neither has stepped up and grabbed the bull by the horns at this point in their professional careers.

Logan Tanner played just 16 games at Low-A Daytona in 2022, so the possibility exists that he'll head back to Florida at the outset of the 2023 season. Tanner has the pedigree to be a starting catcher at the major league level, but he'll need to prove himself in High-A first.