The Cincinnati Reds’ catching situation is far from straightforward, but manager Terry Francona should have one combination locked in: Jose Trevino needs to catch for Brady Singer. Whether it’s Trevino’s pitch framing or his veteran presence, it’s clear he should be Singer’s go-to catcher.
Singer has been outstanding with Trevino behind the plate. In five starts together, he’s posted a 2.70 ERA and held opponents to a .554 OPS. His top weapon—a slider that breaks away from right-handers—plays perfectly into Trevino’s strength of framing pitches across his body.
Brady Singer’s success with Jose Trevino should make at least one lineup choice easy for Reds manager Terry Francona
When Tyler Stephenson is catching, Brady Singer’s results take a major hit. In their outings together, Singer averages under 4 ⅔ innings per start with a troubling 7.85 ERA and an even 10:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Stephenson has never been known for his defense—in 2023, he posted a -11 fielding run value—and his struggles with pitch framing may be hurting Singer, whose most effective pitches tend to land in the shadow zone.
Jose Trevino’s arrival and subsequent contract extension are already proving valuable. Stephenson missed the early part of the season with an injury, and talks around extending him have reportedly stalled. Though his bat has recently shown signs of life, his offensive production still lags behind Trevino’s.
Trevino’s strong rapport with Singer isn’t an isolated case. Nick Lodolo has also improved significantly with Trevino catching, and Andrew Abbott has been dominant, holding opponents to a .157 average. While Hunter Greene has allowed more hard contact with Trevino, his BABIP is just .222. The only Reds pitcher whose performance doesn’t differ much based on the catcher is Nick Martinez—suggesting Trevino’s influence may be particularly valuable to Cincinnati’s younger arms.
Trevino could be carving out a crucial role with this developing Reds pitching staff. With a wave of young talent expected to debut soon, his experience and skill behind the plate may become indispensable. Under contract through 2027, Trevino might bridge the gap to top prospect Alfredo Duno—and in doing so, could push popular incumbent Tyler Stephenson into a designated hitter role while solidifying himself as the team’s primary catcher.
