Reds may've gotten more than just reps from Jose Trevino rehab stint

The Cincinnati Reds were happy to welcome back Jose Trevino from the IL. The veteran backstop's value isn't always readily apparent, but his defensive prowess and his ability to do just enough with the bat to justify his role as the backup catcher make him an indispensable piece.

However, while the 33-year-old was working his way back from a balky back, he added some value to the club in an unexpected way. Trevino completed his rehab at High-A Dayton, putting the defensive stalwart on a collision course with the Reds' most valuable young asset, Alfredo Duno.

Reds prospect Alredo Duno keeps working with the perfect mentors

Duno is a special hitter, with a ceiling so high it will make your eyes water. Helping him build a pathway to big league success is one of the most important things that Cincinnati can do to secure the future of the franchise.

The hulking 20-year-old can do any and everything you want in the batter's box, but behind the plate, it's been a different story. While he has some surprising athleticism for his size, actually getting down and blocking balls in the dirt and popping quickly to throw out runners are areas where he's struggled. On top of that, he struggles with framing (ABS hasn't eliminated all of its value, yet), as most young catchers do.

Duno worked over the offseason with Kansas City Royals' star Salvador Perez, his countryman, who has been one of the best two-way catchers in the league for a very long time. Training with another big-bodied catcher, such as Perez, was extra important for Duno to learn the nuances of the position.

Trevino, however, presents another perspective that is equally valuable. The former New York Yankee was an All-Star in 2022, almost entirely on the strength of his glove. That year, he posted an astounding fielding run value of 23, which led to a 3.8 fWAR. To be fair, Trevino also had his best year at the plate with a 90 wRC+.

More important than even the tips, tricks, and techniques, there's wisdom that Trevino could've imparted on Duno as a guy who has hung on in the league for nearly a decade solely because of his defense. That's a different point of view from what he could have learned from Perez, who has serious power and some great offensive performances on his résumé.

The more defensive perspectives and skills that Duno can learn from guys who float in and out of his orbit, the better off he'll be. The bat will always be the main draw, but if he can be even an average defensive catcher, the sky is the limit.

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