The Cincinnati Reds are bringing back a familiar face for the 2026 season, re-signing minor league utilityman P.J. Higgins for a third straight year with the organization. While he hasn’t cracked the big-league roster in Cincinnati, Higgins has been a steady presence in Triple-A Louisville, offering versatility and experience that continues to hold value in the system.
Higgins, now 32, brings with him a bit of big-league pedigree. He saw time with the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and 2022, appearing in 74 games during the latter season. That year, he posted a .229/.310/.383 slash line while splitting time between catcher and first base-a glimpse of the positional flexibility that’s become his calling card.
Since joining the Reds ahead of the 2024 season, Higgins has been a mainstay with the Louisville Bats. In 2024, he played 135 games in the International League and put together a solid campaign: 32 doubles, 11 homers, and a .259/.320/.385 line. That’s the kind of production you like to see from a veteran presence in Triple-A-enough pop to keep pitchers honest and the ability to hold down multiple spots on the field.
But 2025 told a different story. Higgins’ offensive numbers dipped across the board.
He appeared in 111 games, hit just .240 with a .300 on-base percentage, and saw his slugging drop to .345. The power numbers took a hit too-just 16 doubles and seven homers.
Interestingly, even though he cut down on strikeouts significantly, the improved contact didn’t translate into better results. That’s one of those quirks that shows how baseball isn’t always a simple game of fewer Ks equals better production.
One potential factor? His workload behind the plate increased significantly.
After catching just 28 games in 2024, Higgins was behind the dish 66 times in 2025. That’s a heavy lift for anyone, especially a player in his early 30s.
Catching takes a toll, and it’s possible the extra wear and tear impacted his offensive output. Even so, Higgins continued to show his versatility, logging 20-plus games at both first and third base as well.
For the Reds, this move is less about making headlines and more about roster depth. With Tyler Stephenson, Jose Trevino, and Ben Rortvedt already on the 40-man roster, and Will Banfield stationed in Triple-A, the catching depth chart is pretty well stocked.
But Higgins gives them a safety net. He’s a veteran who knows the system, can handle a pitching staff, and won’t be overwhelmed if called upon in a pinch.
And there’s some subtle upside here too. If Higgins starts to hit again, he could serve as a useful piece in a pinch-maybe as a backup catcher, maybe as a bench bat who can cover multiple infield spots.
His ability to be a third catcher on a big-league roster also opens up some flexibility. For example, it could give the Reds a chance to use Tyler Stephenson more creatively-getting his bat in the lineup on days he’s not catching while Trevino handles duties behind the plate.
In short, this is a low-risk, high-utility move. Higgins may not be a headline name, but in the long grind of a baseball season, players like him can quietly become valuable. Whether it's stabilizing the Triple-A roster, mentoring younger players, or stepping in during an injury crunch, Higgins gives the Reds another option-and in baseball, options are everything.