Cincinnati Reds add Banfield, Danner in depth signings for Triple-A

On Jan. 13 the Cincinnati Reds added multiple non-roster invitees to their spring roster, signing catcher Will Banfield and right-hander Hagen Danner to minor-league contracts. The club listed the moves and "signed those players to minor league deals." The signings are classic January roster building, low-cost additions meant to create competition in spring training and provide insurance for Triple-A Louisville and the major-league roster.

Banfield is a glove-first backstop who made his major-league debut in 2025. His defensive chops and familiarity with pro catching workloads give the organization a steady option behind the plate in Louisville while also serving as contingency depth for the big-league club. In a season where catching depth matters more than ever, Banfield’s arrival helps protect against late spring injuries and gives Cincinnati a veteran presence to handle pitching prospects and provide situational defense.

Hagen Danner arrives as a converted arm with upside. A former position player who transitioned to pitching, Danner spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Tacoma and brings strikeout potential that can be molded into bullpen or swing-role rotation depth. His profile fits the type of reclamation-and-development signing that teams pursue in preseason: athletic arm, fresh to pitching, and capable of producing swings-and-misses that play up in late-inning relief or long-relief spots.

For local fans and Louisville Bats followers, these moves affect the depth chart and spring camp narratives to watch. Expect both players to compete for roster spots in Goodyear; Banfield will battle for playing time and a clear backup role at Triple-A, while Danner will be measured on velocity, command, and ability to translate strikeout stuff into consistent outings. The Reds now have additional internal options they can call on without chipping into high-priced free-agent solutions.

Practically, these signings mean more competition at camp and more inexpensive contingency for a club building toward Opening Day. For players in Louisville and the Reds’ upper minors, this raises the bar and pressures positional battles. For fans, it’s an opportunity to track potential midseason reinforcements and to see developmental projects like Danner take meaningful reps against advanced hitters.

As spring training approaches, monitor how Banfield handles pitchers and how Danner’s stuff plays in game situations. These are the kinds of low-risk moves that rarely make headlines in January but often matter when rosters thin midseason.