Reds 2023 international signing brings depth to key position

The Cincinnati Reds added a bevy of talented, young, international players to the club on Sunday. Cincinnati has done very well in terms of international signings of late with players like Elly De La Cruz and Ariel Almonte.

After landing a shortstop with tremendous upside during last year's international signing period, the Reds went after one of the best catchers on the market this year. Alfredo Duno is ranked as second-best catcher and fourth-best overall international prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Duno will bring some depth to a position that is very thin within the Cincinnati Reds farm system. However, Duno is just 17 years old, so the Redlegs will need some of their other catching prospects to step up between now and then.

Reds 2023 international signing brings depth to key position.

The Cincinnati Reds have one of the most talented catchers in the game today in Tyler Stephenson. Despite his battle with injuries in 2022, Stephenson is expected to be hanging signs again in 2023.

That said, Cincinnati added some insurance to the position this offseason by agreeing to terms with former Reds catcher Curt Casali and also signed Luke Maile to a one-year deal. Fans should expect to see Stephenson splitting his time between catcher, first base, and DH.

But Casali just turned 34 years old, and Maile has historically been little more than a backup catcher. The Reds need some of their recently drafted catchers to develop in the coming years.

The Reds have high hopes for Daniel Vellojin, who'll need a strong showing in 2023 in order to be added to the 40-man roster next fall. Jackson Miller was drafted in 2020, but has yet to have a healthy season in the pros.

Logan Tanner was drafted in Round 2 of last year's draft and could begin the 2023 season at High-A Dayton. The Reds also have 2021 draft pick Matheu Nelson who should find his way to Double-A Chattanooga next season.

The Cincinnati Reds have several talented catchers in their farm system, but none of them have really taken the bull by the horns at this point. The Reds would love to see Alfredo Duno develop into a solid catching prospect, but the team would love to say the same for any of the backstops currently in the pipeline.