Reds fans should pay attention to this rising prospect with a unique skillset

Fans of small-market teams like the Cincinnati Reds are always on the lookout for the next big name prospect climbing the ladder. Sal Stewart's certainly made a name for himself during his short time in the big leagues, and Alfredo Duno is working his way up through the farm system. Few fans, however, have probably heard the name Jacob Friend, but he's off to a hot start in Low-A Daytona.

At this stage of the season, it's always easy to overreact to stats. A small sample size can skew the results in one way or another, but Friend's lightning-fast start to the 2026 season should be drawing the attention of the Reds' fanbase.

Through nine games, Friend is hitting .323/.450/.806 with a 226 wRC+. The 23-year-old has two home runs and 10 RBI on the season, but he's also racked up five doubles and two triples for a grand total of nine extra-base hits. He's struck out 11 times in 31 at-bats and has also drawn eight walks.

Friend was the Reds sixth-round draft pick in 2024 out of Davidson College. In his three collegiate seasons Friend hit .275/.457/.504. He played in 44 games for the Wildcats in 2024 and posted a .274/.473/.527 slash line with 10 home runs and 29 RBI.

Reds prospect Jacob Friend plays catcher and the outfield

Interestingly, Friend plays both catcher and the outfield. It's a unique skillset, and while it's not completely unheard of — Toronto Blue Jays star Daulton Varsho plays both positions — it's a rarity that could offer the Reds tremendous roster flexibility if Friend ever ascends to the major leagues. This season, he's played six games behind the dish, one in the outfield, one at first base, and he's also acted as the team's DH twice.

A lot of things have to go right, however, in order for Friend to make his Major League dreams come true. It's not often that a sixth-round draft pick makes it all the way to the big leagues — though current Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft was drafted in the sixth round back in 2019.

Friend's 1.256 OPS to begin the 2026 season with the Daytona Tortugas is a nice place to start, and if he sticks behind the plate, the Reds will almost assuredly give him a long runway in the minors. Cincinnati's minor-league catching depth is exceedingly thin.

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