At the start of spring training in 2021, then-Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart told a young Tyler Stephenson that he’d always be there for him.
“Anything you’ve got, I’m an open book man,” Barnhart said. “Just ask away. You’re not going to get in my way by asking any questions. You’re not going to offend me by asking questions of any kind.”
At the time, Barnhart was the reigning Gold Glove Award winner. Stephenson was the first-round pick who was ready for a role on the MLB team. Barnhart was in a contract year, and Stephenson was the clear catcher of the future.