GLADYEAR, Arizona. Tyler Stephenson of the Reds would very much like to be back in that conversation after missing it in 2023. He was once included in the Top 10 rankings in the game at catcher.
“I personally think I can be one of the best catchers in baseball,” stated Stephenson.
In 2024, there will be more favorable conditions for Stephenson to achieve that goal once more.
Although Stephenson, 27, had a poor season offensively, it wasn’t as bad as 2022, which was effectively a wasted season. He was only able to play in 50 games due to three major injuries: a concussion, a fractured thumb, and the most severe, a broken collarbone.
Reds catching/third base coach J.R. House stated, “The injuries, the last one to the collarbone, really hurt him — just being able to throw like he used to, being able to hit like he used to.”
Stephenson’s two-run homer (11)
Stephenson continued to reach base in 2023, but his power stats declined. In 142 games, he batted.243,.317, and.378 with 13 home runs in 517 plate appearances. With 10 home runs in 402 bat appearances during his final full season in 2021, his OPS of.696 was over 100 points lower. From 133 in ’22 to 87 in ’23, his OPS+ fell.
Stephenson was working with pitchers to get back up to speed behind the plate as well.
“My health was good. However, I only played 50 games in ’22, meaning I missed 110 games,” Stephenson remarked. With these players, there are a lot of at-bats, a lot of experiences, and a lot of innings. All you’re doing is attempting to make up lost time. Not having to rehab this offseason felt nice. I simply felt well and resumed my regular schedule.
Luke Maile, the Reds’ backup catcher, was a popular choice for several of the team’s young pitchers, including Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott. It was Maile catching up to Stephenson in multiple pivotal games in the final stretch as Cincinnati fought for a postseason berth.
Even though they aren’t great hitters, competent game callers can stay in the Major Leagues for a considerable amount of time because of this familiarity.
“Austin Romine, a former Reds catcher, experienced the same thing. “Every guy who was coming up had to earn that,” stated House. “They all experienced what [Stephenson] is going through—becoming known as a younger catcher. Basically, the only way to obtain it is by going through the struggles and gaining experience. All he is doing is fighting his way through those struggles to reach his destination. It’s something you try to rush and get done sooner as a developer. However, all they actually need to do is play and get through it.
Stephenson on catching, more
Stephenson can be an excellent bat in the middle of the order as well as a fantastic pitcher-facing outfielder.
Stephenson declared, “I want to have those standards and put myself in those shoes.”
House thought Stephenson was getting close to that point.
House stated, “He’s making steps to make himself that.” “His readiness is far superior. Because he can now, he dedicates much more time to it. It’s wonderful to see that everything is beginning to calm down for him once more. He’s taking charge of our meetings more and contributing more meaningfully. All of that contributes to the staff’s general belief that he is the right person.
In an attempt to shield Stephenson from fatigue, Reds manager David Bell experimented with a three-catcher rotation scheme beginning in the spring of last year. Stephenson was supposed to catch 60–65 games, with Maile and Curt Casali covering the remaining games. When Stephenson wasn’t behind the plate, he was supposed to start at first base and as a designated hitter.
The system’s performance fell short of expectations. Stephenson eventually gave up on playing first base after catching 92 games. Maile had to fill in for Stephenson during the second half due to an injury to Casali.
Stephenson’s focus this year will be solely on getting ready to be the starting catcher.
He’s still quite young. I believe he will gain from being able to concentrate solely on becoming the greatest catcher he can be,” Bell remarked. “Offense is a whole different aspect of the game; you already have a lot on your plate.”
Stephenson reported to camp on January 10, one month ahead of schedule. He has been attempting to record a lot of Greene’s bullpen sessions, as well as a few mound sessions and live batting practices for Frankie Montas, the most recent free agent signing.
House described Stephenson as having “invested himself in some different areas to be a better player.” “I am excited to witness it in action on the field.”