Reds reunite with longtime fan favorite on minor league deal

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to terms on minor league contract with longtime fan-favorite Tucker Barnhart. The two-time Gold Glove Award-winner last played in the Queen City back in 2021, and now, after several stops, he's back with the franchise that drafted him all the way back in 2009.

Barnhart was a 10th round draft pick of the Reds out of Brownsburg High School in Indiana. The veteran spent eight of his 11 major league seasons in Cincinnati before being dealt to the Detroit Tigers following the Reds' 83-79 campaign in 2021. Barnhart's departure was the first of many during that offseason.

Reds reunite with longtime fan favorite Tucker Barnhart on minor league deal

Barnhart's contract with the Reds contained a $7.5 million option for the 2022 season. Cincinnati, not wanting to pay that type of money for a backup catcher following the ascension of Tyler Stephenson to the team's QB1, decided to part ways with their longtime backstop.

Barnhart had a rather unproductive season with the Tigers. He appeared in 94 games and was nowhere near the defensive wizard he'd proven to be during his time in Cincinnati. Barnhart was not retained following his lone season in the Motor City, but lured a former foe — the Chicago Cubs — to sign him to a two-year, $6.5 million contract during the 2022-23 offseason.

Barnhart's production continued to tumble and he was eventually cut loose by the Cubbies. The Arizona Diamondbacks employed Barnhart for 31 games earlier this season, but released the veteran after he was only able to muster a .497 OPS.

Barnhart was always known as a sound defensive catcher during his time with the Reds, and he has a knack for clutch hits against right-handed pitching. Since leaving Cincinnati, Barnhart has ditched the switch-hitting approach for a left-handed swing only.

Obviously there's no guarantee that Barnhart will work his way back to The Show, but it's great to know that Cincinnati now has a veteran presence down in the minor leagues. Look for Barnhart to get on the field with the Louisville Bats in the coming days.

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