Reds fans are clamoring for top prospect Sal Stewart to get the call to Cincinnati—and with good reason. Since being promoted to Triple-A Louisville, Stewart has been on a tear, hitting .323 with a .399 OBP and a .653 slugging percentage over 33 games.
Over the weekend, the 21-year-old put on a show, belting a 460-foot homer as part of a two-homer, four-RBI performance. His bat would be a jolt for a fanbase desperate for more offense. Still, Stewart might not even be the hottest name in the system right now.
Catcher Alfredo Duno, fresh off being named Florida State League Player of the Week, has been surging up the organizational rankings thanks to his dominance at Single-A this season.
This Reds’ prospect may be better than Sal Stewart
Signed as an international free agent, Duno began his professional career in 2023 at just 17 years old. Following an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, the young catcher has taken the Florida State League by storm in 2025. He currently leads the league in doubles (30), home runs (14), RBI (73), walks (85), and runs scored (71).
While his offensive output is what grabs attention, Cincinnati is equally focused on his development behind the plate. Duno owns a strong arm but has committed nine errors this season, and at 6-foot-2, some scouts wonder if his size could eventually move him away from catching.
The Reds added veteran Jose Trevino this past offseason and signed him through 2027 (with a 2028 option), giving Duno a proven mentor to learn from. Still just 19, he likely won’t debut in the majors until 2027 at the earliest.
The next two years in the minors will be pivotal for his growth. With Cincinnati’s recent struggles in grooming catchers, the organization is counting on Duno to buck the trend. If his bat keeps producing and his defense steadily improves, Reds fans could be eagerly awaiting his arrival in Cincinnati sooner rather than later.
Be the first to comment