The Reds will have Alfredo Duno in the Futures Game again, and the timing only adds to the spotlight around Cincinnati’s top prospect.
Duno has been named to the Futures Game roster for the second straight season. The game is set for Sunday, July 12, at noon ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and will air on NBC.
That nod comes just days after the 20-year-old catcher moved up to Double-A Chattanooga, another clear checkpoint in what has been a strong 2026 season. MLB Pipeline recently highlighted the progress Duno has made, pointing to his athleticism, his arm, and the work he has put in across his game.
“More athletic than you might think when looking at his strong 6-foot-2 frame, Duno should be able to stick behind the plate, especially if he manages his body well so he can remain agile, and the Reds were happy with his offseason work in this regard. Combine that with his plus arm strength, hard work in all aspects of his game, including learning English, and he has the makings of a big league starting backstop.”
On the field, Duno has kept backing up the buzz. In 65 games, he is hitting .260/.390/.512 with 29 extra-base hits.
He has also carried a heavy load behind the plate, catching 55 games and serving as the designated hitter in the other 10. The bat has been the calling card; the defensive side still lags behind it.
Cincinnati also got another big swing from Sal Stewart in Tuesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Stewart opened the game with a first-inning home run to give the Reds a 1-0 lead, and it was his 16th homer of the season.
That blast kept Stewart’s rookie year in rare company. Through the Reds’ first 85 games, only Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has hit more home runs as a rookie for the club, with Robinson reaching 20 in 1956.
After the game, Reds manager Terry Francona praised Stewart’s approach at the plate.
“He’s just a really good hitter. He uses the whole field.
A lot of times with young guys, they want to hit for power before they learn how to hit. He knows how to hit.
And he’s strong enough and a good enough hitter that he gets rewarded when he goes the other way.”
Stewart, 22, is now slashing .257/.342/.467 with 35 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases this season.
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