What Tyler Stephenson learned from an old mentor, new Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart
At the start of spring training in 2021, then-Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart told a young Tyler Stephenson that he’d always be there for him.
“Anything you’ve got, I’m an open book man,” Barnhart said. “Just ask away. You’re not going to get in my way by asking any questions. You’re not going to offend me by asking questions of any kind.”
At the time, Barnhart was the reigning Gold Glove Award winner. Stephenson was the first-round pick who was ready for a role on the MLB team. Barnhart was in a contract year, and Stephenson was the clear catcher of the future.
Now, two years later, Stephenson has the role everyone expected back in 2021. He would have likely made the All-Star Game last year if he hadn’t been injured, and Stephenson has helped Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft take another step forward this season.
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This week, Barnhart is back at Great American Ball Park as the Chicago Cubs’ starting catcher. Even though they haven’t been teammates for two years, he’s still a mentor for Stephenson.
“He’s always someone I can rely on,” Stephenson said. “Sometimes last year, I texted him during the season questions that I had. Watching him, I really saw what it meant to be a pro and be a big league catcher. By sitting back and getting to watch him do his thing, it was so impressive. He means a lot.”
Along with Reds catching coach J.R House, Barnhart was one of the most important mentors that helped Stephenson develop from a prospect who played inconsistent defense into a catcher that the Reds are building around. Stephenson will play more first base this season than he did last year, but the long-term goal is for Stephenson to spend even more time at catcher down the road as the roster changes.
Barnhart helped Stephenson through some big adjustments. Stephenson has transitioned from a catcher who always sets up in a squat into a catcher who now sets up on one knee. Barnhart helped Stephenson become a better game planner.
Even though Barnhart knew he was training his replacement, Barnhart loved to teach.
“That’s just something Tucker did,” House said. “He has a knack for it and is willing to put in the effort to do it. He was taking care of himself while helping someone else. He always did it with ease.”
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At the start of the 2021 season, Reds manager David Bell used a 66/33 split of Barnhart and Stephenson behind the plate. By the end of the season, the two catchers were trading starts pretty evenly as Stephenson showed his potential in a standout rookie season.
Barnhart spent eight years in MLB with the Reds, and he was content passing off the torch to Stephenson.
“That year, I approached it the same as I always do,” Barnhart said. “I was so pumped to work with Tyler and watch him grow as a player and see what he’s become. He’s one hell of a player, one hell of a kid. I enjoyed every bit of time I spent with him.”
Barnhart spent the 2022 season with the Detroit Tigers, and then he signed a two-year deal with the Cubs heading into this year. The Reds honored him in the first inning of Monday’s game with a tribute video, and Barnhart picked up a hit.
Before Monday’s game, Barnhart ran over to House and gave him a hug. He had conversations with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, and he met up with the Reds’ catchers.
“In some ways, he still seems like part of the team,” Bell said. “He was such a big part of our team, part of the community here, part of the organization. He invested so much into all those things. I'm sure it's special for him to be back.”
Joey Votto update
Bell said Reds first baseman Joey Votto is unlikely to return to the active roster on Thursday, the first day that Votto is eligible to come off the injured list. Votto is continuing to accumulate at-bats in his Triple-A rehab assignment.
“He hasn’t had very many at-bats there,” Bell said. “There’s a reason the start of his season was delayed and he had to go play (in Triple-A). There just hasn’t been enough games for that to happen. It’s not completely ruled out but I would anticipate it will be sometime after that.”
Reds injury updates
Reds reliever Tony Santillan (back) and outfielder/infielder Nick Senzel (toe) both started their rehab assignments on Tuesday. Senzel was in the Bats’ lineup playing center field.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tucker Barnhart 'always someone' Tyler Stephenson can rely on
