Catcher Will Banfield attended the same high school as former Reds pitcher Lucas Sims.
With catcher Tyler Stephenson on the injured list and set to visit a hand specialist about his thumb injury, the Cincinnati Redspromoted catcher Will Banfield from Triple-A Louisville.
Banfield was batting .220 with two homers and 23 RBIs in 253 plate appearances this season for the Bats.
When Banfield makes an appearance for Cincinnati, it will be his MLB debut. Banfield is 25 years old.
What to know about Banfield, who is wearing No. 49 for the Reds:
The Reds signed Banfield to a minor-league contract in November 2024
Banfield became a free agent after playing last season for the Miami Marlins' Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
A second-round pick of the Marlins in the 2018 MLB draft, Banfield hit .258 with 23 home runs in 495 plate appearances for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a former Reds' affiliate, in 2023.
The Reds selected pitcher Lyon Richardson 22 picks before Miami selected Banfield. Jonathan India was the fifth overall pick in that draft, by the Reds.
The only defensive position Banfield has played in the minors is catcher.
Banfield attended the same high school as former Reds pitcher Lucas Sims
Banfield and Sims attended Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia, just east of Atlanta.
Sims, a first-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2012, posted a 3.94 ERA in 210 appearances for the Reds over seven seasons from 2018 to 2024.
The Reds acquired Sims in 2018 along with pitcher Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker for outfielder Adam Duvall.
In July 2024, the Reds traded Sims to the Boston Red Sox for Ovis Portes. The Washington Nationals released Sims in May. He signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies, and has pitched since May 20 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Banfield was considered among the top defensive prospects at catcher in the 2018 draft
Banfield was committed to Vanderbilt, but opted to sign with the Marlins for $1,800,000 when they made him the 69th overall pick.
Former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, a former Reds player, said this to MLB.com of Banfield in March 2024, when Banfield was at spring training with the Marlins:
"Banfield, we love. He's been great. Definitely has the leadership quality to be a Major League catcher. He's as good as anybody, and is becoming a good hitter. Last year was a major step for him in the right direction with power and understanding how to hit."
In addition to baseball, Banfield played football and swam until his junior year of high school. MLB.com's Sean Rocca wrote that Banfield played shortstop until he was 13 years old, and starting catching because one of his travel teams needed a catcher.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Will Banfield? Catcher set to make MLB debut for Reds
Category: Baseball
