Zach Buchanan

zbuchanan@enquirer.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Tucker Barnhart will play plenty early on. But even after a successful year as the starting catcher for the Cincinnati Reds in 2016, it’s likely the 26-year-old will return to backup duties during the upcoming season.

The Reds have a financial investment in Devin Mesoraco, who will make $20.2 million over the next two seasons. They’ll take it easy on Mesoraco early after two hip surgeries and one shoulder procedure during the last two years, but manager Bryan Price sees Mesoraco as his everyday catcher eventually.

“I think there’s going to be a little bit more of a timeshare on the front end of the season before hopefully Devin seizes that bulk of the playing time,” Price said. “There’s nothing Tucker has done for me to have any thoughts of him as simply a second catcher. Right now it would be responsible to think that Devin will start with a limited load and build up to being four or five out of every seven games caught.”

Barnhart understands why the team feels that way. He’s confident in his abilities after starting 106 games at catcher last season, and proved himself to be solid with the bat after hitting .257/.323/.379 in 420 plate appearances. He’s also rooting for Mesoraco because he’s a friend and teammate, and wants to see him stay healthy and perform well.

But Barnhart stops short of accepting himself as a backup in his own mind. That wouldn’t serve anyone well – not Barnhart, not Mesoraco and not the team.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to play every day,” Barnhart said. “That’s why I signed a pro baseball contract, to be an everyday player in the major leagues. But for me, it’s to hopefully create a sense of competition. I think competition is great for a ball club, at any position, not just necessarily mine.”