By Mark Ambrogi
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart never expected to be playing a Major League Baseball exhibition game 20 minutes from his Zionsville apartment.
“Playing here in Triple-A was special, but to be back here with Reds against the Pirates, it’s really cool,” the ex-Brownsburg High School star said.
Barnhart, 25, played in the first MLB exhibition at Victory Field on April 2, collecting three hits, including a double, in 13-6 romp over Pittsburgh.
“I love playing here,” said Barnhart, who got married in the offseason and is having a house built in Zionsville. “I’m kind of biased, but it’s one of the better parks in the country, particularly in Triple-A.”
The game in front of friends and family on a cold, windy day ended a busy exhibition season for Barnhart, who hit .302 in spring games.
“I started off kind of hot, hit a rut for awhile and I guess I didn’t panic,” said Barnhart, who also had to learn to work with several new Reds pitchers this spring. “I found something at the end of spring training that helped out. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”
Barnhart holds a .240 average in his first two seasons (102 games). He made his debut with Cincinnati in 2014 before he played his first Triple-A game.
“You never want to see anyone get hurt, but that’s part of the reason I made it to the big leagues,” Barnhart said of catcher Devin Mesoraco’s injury. “Being able to get that experience at a younger age being 23 when I made my debut, it allowed me to gain that experience that I can help the team win in any way possible.”
The switch-hitting Barnhart eventually played 78 games with Louisville, the Reds’ Triple-A team, in 2014.
“He’s been a terrific defensive player,” Reds manager Bryan Price said.
Since utility player Jordan Pacheco can also play catcher, Price said Barnhart could be an option as a left-handed pinch-hitter when Mesoraco is starting.
“He’s going to get his fair share of playing time, and he’s earned it,” Price said.
Initially Price figured Barnhart would be more of a defensive specialist.
“He’s got very comfortable (hitting) from the left side, it’s his better side even though he’s a natural right-handed hitter,” Price said. “He takes it very seriously. He doesn’t fall back on the fact he’s a really good defender. He expects a lot from himself as an offensive player and he knows if he’s going to take a full-time job he’s going to swing the bat the way he is capable of swinging the back. I don’t think Tucker is destined to be a career backup.”
