Reds minor league catching tandem provides unexpected depth

The Cincinnati Reds have spent the entire 2023 season with three catchers on their active roster. The club has a young star, Tyler Stephenson, who looks to be a key piece of the club's future.

Veterans Luke Maile and Curt Casali are both unlikely to be on the roster next season, though the latter has a mutual option on his current deal. Both Maile and Casali are valuable players that offer benefits to a young team, but the duo is on the wrong side of 30.

Luckily for the Reds, they feature two catchers that are hitting above .300 down on the farm. The catching tandem of Chuckie Robinson and Jhonny Pereda is providing some unexpected depth at one of the most undervalued positions on the roster.

Reds minor league catching tandem provides unexpected depth.

Chuckie Robinson, a 28-year-old catcher who hit two home runs in 60 at-bats during his major league debut last season, leads the way for the catching platoon down at Triple-A Louisville. Robinson's batting averages (.338) and OPS (.909) are among the best on the entire team.

Yet to make his major league debut is Jhonny Pereda. The 27-year-old has played in just 21 games at Triple-A this season, but maintains a .368 average and .988 OPS. Pereda has taken a backseat to Robinson in terms of playing time, but is making the most of his limited opportunities.

Outside of an injury to one of the three catchers currently on the Cincinnati Reds active roster, it's difficult to see either Robinson or Pereda making it up to The Show until September call-ups come around later this year.

Catcher is arguably one of the most valuable positions on the team, so having such depth down at Triple-A has been a breath of fresh air. The highest-rated catching prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, is Logan Tanner. But last year's second-round draft pick is still years away from making his major league debut.