Will Banfield will make his MLB debut for the Cincinnati Reds after being promoted from Triple-A Louisville to cover for an injured Tyler Stephenson. Banfield, 25, has slashed .220/. with two homers and 23 RBIs across 253 plate appearances this season in the minors, and he’s positioned to provide immediate catching depth for a Reds club navigating injury trouble behind the plate.

The Reds picked Banfield in 2024 on a minor-league deal after his time with the Marlins organization, where he was regarded as a beacon of defense at catcher and a leader-type presence. His background includes a second-round selection in 2018, a late-blooming offensive projection, and a long-running link to Brookwood High School in Georgia, the same school as Lucas Sims, weaving a narrative of close ties to Reds history and future potential.