The Cincinnati Reds continue to hold on to the idea that they need three catchers on their roster, despite Austin Wynns not starting a game behind the plate since April 30. With Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino as the primary catchers, the depth beyond them remains weak, yet retaining Wynns in this role is increasingly difficult to justify. This persistent choice is notably impacting the Reds’ overall roster flexibility and in-game strategies in 2024.
Although Wynns has faced limited game time since the end of April—appearing in five games with seven plate appearances and collecting three hits—his presence on the active roster seems more about insurance than contribution. The Reds appear to be clinging to Wynns in hope rather than for clear on-field value, which is problematic given his minimal playing time across nearly a month.
There is some anticipation that this roster situation may change soon, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jake Fraley currently performing rehab assignments at Triple-A Louisville as they recover from injuries. Even so, holding onto Wynns puts unnecessary constraints on Cincinnati’s lineup and bench options during critical moments.
Why Cincinnati’s refusal to release Wynns defies practical team needs
The Reds have a range of positionally versatile players like Spencer Steer, Connor Joe, Gavin Lux, Santiago Espinal, and Garrett Hampson available, providing enough flexibility as games progress into later innings. Despite this, the decision to keep Wynns as the third-string catcher ignores alternatives such as Rece Hinds and Blake Dunn, who bring skills that Wynns currently lacks.
Hinds offers notable power at the plate, and Dunn adds valuable speed—attributes missing from Wynns’ game. Manager Terry Francona appears hesitant to remove Wynns, seemingly treating him as a last-resort safeguard should either Stephenson or Trevino get injured. This caution, however, comes at a cost to the team’s dynamism and in-game adaptability.
Retaining Wynns has allowed the Reds to field Tyler Stephenson as a designated hitter, enabling both Stephenson’s bat and Trevino’s catching to be active in the lineup simultaneously. Statistically, Wynns boasts a higher OPS of 1.142 and excels more at managing the run game. Still, if Cincinnati insists on keeping him around, Wynns should be given at least a weekly start behind the plate to justify his role.
While there is a risk the Reds could lose Wynns without compensation if he is designated for assignment, his current impact is minimal. Wynns serves mainly as insurance for Stephenson and Trevino—a role that Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall might have better addressed in the offseason to avoid compromising roster spots now.
Implications of the Reds’ catching decisions for 2024 and beyond
The ongoing reliance on Austin Wynns in this limited but protected role highlights deeper roster management challenges facing Cincinnati. Balancing the need for depth at catcher with the desire for roster flexibility is vital in a season where every game counts. The Reds’ insistence on maintaining Wynns without regular starts hampers their ability to optimize bench strength and offensive production.
Looking forward, as injured players return and more versatile options become available, the Reds may be forced to reconsider Wynns’ place altogether. This situation underscores the urgency for the front office to make more decisive roster moves that better reflect on-field realities rather than cautious contingencies.