The Cincinnati Reds have made a move to bolster their catching depth for the 2024 season, signing Alex Jackson to a minor league deal. While the specifics of the contract are not yet clear, it is presumed that the deal includes an invitation to spring training, where Jackson will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the major league roster.
Jackson’s career has been a bit of a rollercoaster. After being selected sixth overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2014 MLB Draft as a potential hit-first catcher, Jackson’s career has taken an unexpected turn. Though initially seen as a bat-first backstop, he’s evolved into a solid defensive catcher—unfortunately, one who has struggled to make an impact offensively.
A Tough 2023 Season
Jackson’s most recent stint in the majors came in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he appeared in 58 games and recorded a career-high 155 plate appearances. However, his performance at the plate left much to be desired. Jackson posted a brutal .122/.201/.237 slash line, with a 29 wRC+, indicating he was 71% worse than league-average at the plate. In total, he failed to provide much value with the bat, continuing a pattern that has haunted him throughout his career.
His offensive struggles are consistent with his career slash line of .132/.224/.232 over 340 plate appearances with the Rays, Brewers, Marlins, and Braves. Despite this lack of production, Jackson’s strong defensive skills behind the plate kept him in the conversation for semi-regular playing time, and he was viewed as a solid backup option for teams that valued his work with pitchers and ability to manage the game behind the plate.
Jackson’s Defensive Strength
While Jackson’s bat has failed to live up to the expectations placed on him as a former top draft pick, he has carved out a role as a quality defensive catcher. His framing, blocking, and game-calling abilities are considered his strengths, and these skills were enough to keep him in the big leagues despite his offensive shortcomings. Jackson’s defensive prowess is what led to the Tampa Bay Rays giving him playing time in 2024, but after his underwhelming season, the Rays opted to remove him from their 40-man roster in September, leading Jackson to become a minor league free agent.
For a team like the Reds, who are looking to solidify their catching depth following the departure of Luke Maile (after declining his club option) and Austin Wynns (who became a free agent), Jackson represents a low-risk, high-reward option. The Reds’ starting catcher, Tyler Stephenson, has battled injuries in recent seasons, and having a backup catcher with MLB experience could be invaluable.
The Catching Situation in Cincinnati
With Maile and Wynns no longer in the picture, the Reds find themselves in need of a reliable backup to spell Stephenson. At the moment, Jackson is the only other catcher in the organization with significant big league experience, making him an obvious candidate to compete for a roster spot in spring training. However, the Reds are expected to bring in one or two more catchers to provide competition and ensure depth at the position.
If Jackson can show enough during spring training to earn a spot on the roster, he could provide value as a defensive-minded backup, particularly in a timeshare with Stephenson. But Jackson’s ability to hit will remain the key factor in his potential to stick with the Reds. If he can make improvements with the bat, even in a backup role, he could carve out a longer-term niche with Cincinnati.
What’s Next for Jackson?
For now, Jackson’s path to the Reds’ major league roster isn’t guaranteed, but he’ll have the chance to prove himself during spring training. As the Reds continue to build a young, competitive roster, they’ll need reliable depth at key positions, and Jackson will be hoping that his defense behind the plate and game-management skills will be enough to earn him a spot as a backup catcher in 2024.
While his offensive numbers have been disappointing, Jackson’s defense and game-calling abilities will be his ticket to a potential role with the Reds. The team’s commitment to him for the time being suggests they see value in his defensive profile, but much of his future in Cincinnati will depend on whether he can provide just enough offense to make his defense count.
For now, Jackson will look to make the most of this opportunity with the Reds and hope to revive his MLB career in a backup role. If he can find any success at the plate, he could be a surprising contributor to the Reds’ catching depth in the coming season.
