How Stephenson is working to be 'one of the best catchers in baseball' 

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Once part of Top 10 lists in the game at catcher, the Reds' Tyler Stephenson would very much like to be back in that conversation after he was missing from it in 2023.

"I personally think I can be one of the best catchers in baseball," Stephenson said.

The conditions are more favorable for Stephenson to meet that objective again in 2024.

Stephenson, 27, may be coming off a down year offensively, but it wasn't like the essentially lost season of 2022. Three serious injuries -- a concussion, a fractured thumb and the most serious, a fractured collarbone -- limited him to 50 games.

"The injuries, the last one to the collarbone, really hurt him -- just being able to throw like he used to, being able to hit like he used to," Reds catching/third base coach J.R. House said.

In 2023, Stephenson still reached base, but his power numbers dipped. He batted .243/.317/.378 over 142 games with 13 home runs in 517 plate appearances. At .696, his OPS was down about 100 points from his last full season in 2021, when he had 10 homers in 402 plate appearances. His OPS+ dipped from 133 in ‘22 to 87 in '23.

Behind the plate, Stephenson was also getting back up to speed working with pitchers.

“Physically, I was fine. But I played 50 games [in '22] and that’s 110 games that I missed," Stephenson said. "It’s a lot of at-bats, it’s a lot of experience, it’s a lot of innings with these guys. You’re just trying to catch up from lost time. It felt good this offseason to not have to rehab. I just felt good and had a normal routine again.”

Many of the Reds' young pitchers -- like Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott -- gravitated to working with backup catcher Luke Maile behind the plate. In several of the critical games down the stretch as Cincinnati contended for a playoff spot, it was Maile catching over Stephenson.

That familiarity is one reason good game callers can stick in the Major Leagues for a long time even when they're not strong hitters.

“It was the same with [former Reds catcher] Austin Romine. All of the guys coming up had to earn that," House said. "They all went through what [Stephenson] is going through, being a younger catcher and gaining that reputation. Really the only way to get it is through experience and going through the battles. He is just going through those battles to get there, to get on the other side of that. As a developer, it’s something you try to rush and make happen sooner. But they really just have to play and go through it.”

Stephenson is capable of being both a middle-of-the-order hitter and superb behind the plate working with pitchers.

"I want to put myself in those shoes and have those standards," Stephenson said.

House believed Stephenson was nearing that level.

“He’s taking steps to make himself that," House said. "His preparation is so much better. He spends way more time on it because now he can. Everything is starting to slow down for him again and it’s just great to see. When we have meetings, he’s taking more control of it and has more to say with substance. All that plays into getting the staff to believe in him overall to be the guy.”

Beginning last spring, Reds manager David Bell tried creating a rotation system with three catchers to protect Stephenson from wear and tear. The plan was for Stephenson to catch 60-65 games with Maile and Curt Casali taking the rest. Stephenson was to be given starts at first base and designated hitter when he wasn’t behind the plate.

The system didn't fully function as expected. Stephenson wound up catching 92 games, and eventually eliminated playing first base. An injury to Casali had Maile catching games that Stephenson didn't play in the second half.

This year, Stephenson will work exclusively at preparing to be the primary catcher.

“He’s still young. To be able to put all his focus on being the best catcher he can be, I think he will benefit from that," Bell said. "There’s a whole other side of the game and offense, that’s plenty on your plate already.”

Stephenson arrived in camp Jan. 10, a month ahead of Tuesday's report date. He's been trying to catch many of Greene's bullpen sessions and has also caught several mound sessions and live batting practices for new free agent arrival Frankie Montas.

"He’s invested himself in some different areas to be a better player," House said of Stephenson. "I’m looking forward to seeing it on the field.”