The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Tucker Barnhart has always flied under the radar a bit in Redsland. Described always as a solid backup catcher, the Reds youngster spent the majority of last season backing up Brayan Peña, and some of the season prior doing that, too, as Devin Mesoraco dealt with a myriad of injuries.

Tucker is a wizard behind the plate, that's never been a question. Unfortunately, the bat has never caught up; thus, "solid backup catcher." If everything goes to plan this season, he'll spend the majority of the season actually backing Devin Mesoraco instead of filling in for his fill in. But so far in this early spring, Barnhart has been swinging quite the hot bat, and he continued it today. In this contest, Barnhart went 1-2 with a dinger and 2 RBI, while also flashing the cannon on a caught stealing in the bottom of the 4th.

If Tucker does eventually show he can be competent with the bat, he's likely to find himself a starting gig somewhere, if not with the Reds. So, here's a trophy, Mother Trucker, and keep on raking, won't you?

Honorable mention to Phil Ervin, who honked a wanger, Scott Schebler, who continued his own hot spring with a double and run scored, Brandon Finnegan, who got the start and went 2 clean innings allowing only 1 hit, and striking out 2, and, hell, Yorman Rodriguez, who got his first hit of the spring.

Key Plays





Tony Graphanino*









Other Notes