Reds prospect turning heads after earning major praise from top talent evaluator

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t had much luck with catching prospects in recent years, but Alfredo Duno could be the player to change that. Duno’s talent has attracted attention all over Major League Baseball, as indicated by his selection to the 2025 All-Star Futures Game.

As the Reds eye their next franchise catcher, Cincinnati is putting all of its eggs into Duno’s basket, perhaps in large part due to the 19-year-old’s impressive 2025 campaign with Low-A Daytona. In 113 games this season, Duno slashed .287/ .430/ .518 with 18 home runs — production that caught the eye of The Athletic’s Keith Law, among many others.

Law acknowledged Duno's talent while also communicating skepticism about his future at the catcher position. This isn’t the first time Law has discussed a potential position change for Duno. His main contention about Duno’s future at the position is that his weight has already fluctuated drastically. Listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds by MLB, reports as recently as February 2025 suggested that Duno was closer to 260 pounds.

Reds prospect Alfredo Duno receives high marks

Intertwined with concerns over Duno’s weight are concerns about his durability. An elbow injury delayed his catching debut with the organization (though he did DH initially), and then a broken rib cut his 2024 season short. 

Despite these physical issues, the positives about Duno far outweigh the worries. Besides having a naturally powerful righty bat and a mature eye, he also boasts an impressive throwing arm from behind the plate.

Entering 2025, Cincinnati was hoping that Duno would be able to pull off a fully healthy campaign, and he did just that. It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes for Duno to reach the majors, considering there is no one ahead of him in terms of organizational catching prospects. Even more fascinating will be the question of whether or not Duno will end up being a catcher down the line.

If he can stay fit and minimize injuries, Duno’s advanced catching instincts for his age suggest that he’s best utilized at backstop, a position that most elite prospects haven’t begun to master until a few years into their twenties. He's ahead of schedule in many areas, and the Reds are obviously excited about what the future might hold for him.

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