MLB Network Radio inexcusably omits Tyler Stephenson from the best catchers in 2023

It's that time of year when every single outlet throughout baseball puts out their Top 10 list. Obviously, after losing 100 games in 2022, it's unlikely that the Cincinnati Reds would have many players in the Top 10 at any position.

But, Tyler Stephenson should definitely be receiving consideration as one of the best at his position. Although Stephenson missed a good chunk of the 2022 season due to injury, fans and experts alike know just how good the Reds backstop really is.

But apparently that didn't reach the desk of the folks at MLB Network Radio who failed to ranked Stephenson among the Top 10 catchers in Major League Baseball.

MLB Network Radio inexcusably omits Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.

Tyler Stephenson's 2022 campaign was cut short. The Cincinnati Reds catcher was leveled by former San Diego Padres infielder Luke Voit and suffered a concussion. Stephenson then suffered a broken thumb later in the season, and the final straw came shortly after the All-Star break when the Georgia native required surgery to repair a broken clavicle.

Still, Stephenson slashed .319/.372/.482 and pounded six home runs and racked up 35 ribbies is just 166 at-bats. Despite appearing in just 50 games, Stephenson still finished seventh on the team in bWAR (1.5), ranked second in OPS+ (130), and finished tops in batting average (.319).

Tyler Stephenson is a bona fide star and the fact that MLB Network Radio ranked players like Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners), Jose Trevino (New York Yankees), and Jonah Heim (Texas Rangers) ahead of him is absolutely ridiculous.

If the only reason Stephenson was omitted was because of his lack of games played, fine. But when Willson Contreras, who only lined up behind the plate 72 times in 2022, is part of the list, it becomes a bit of a head-scratcher.