Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

Duno is making a case to be the top overall player in the class, and it’s easy to see why.

The teen has a chance to have at least three above-average tools -- field, arm and power – as he develops and emerges as one of the most interesting prospects in the class. Here’s what scouts like: He runs well for a catcher, and he already shows elite bat speed. There’s a chance he will have plus power, and he projects to be an average hitter. Like most prospects his age, Duno is working on his swing mechanics and has some swing-and-miss tendencies because of his aggressive approach. What he does well is barrel the baseball and consistently hit the ball hard.

On defense, he has the chance to be an elite defender because of his soft hands, flexibility and blocking skills. He can frame the ball well, shows good receiving skills and moves well laterally. He’s also learning how to call a game.

Scouts love his makeup. Duno trains with Angel Valladares at the VIP Academy in the Dominican Republic. The Reds have shown interest in him. Valladares is a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

From the time MLB Pipeline started ranking international amateur prospects in 2012 through the 2022 international signing period, there had been just one catcher in a top five -- current Dodgers prospect Diego Cartaya. For the 2023 signing period, there were two: Ethan Salas (now with the Padres) and Duno, who signed with the Reds that January for $3.1 million. Although an elbow issue only allowed him to show what he could do offensively during his Dominican Summer League debut, he made a strong first impression with a .303/.451/.493 line.

The right-handed-hitting Duno showed off a myriad of skills at the plate during his debut. He has a knack for finding the barrel and producing hard contact consistently, and his combination of plus bat speed and strength point to him tapping into his raw power as he progresses. He showed an ability to take walks and limit strikeouts, though as hurlers start to pitch to him carefully -- which already started happening in the DSL -- he’s going to have to have a firmer grasp of the strike zone and not be overly aggressive.

After being limited to serving as DH in 2023, Duno has a clean bill of health and will be full go behind the plate with his plus arm. Even though he’s big, he’s pretty agile -- he’s a solid baserunner as well -- and his athleticism plays behind the plate to help him block and receive. He has the ceiling of a big league regular behind the dish.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

As the 2023 international signing period approached, there were two catchers in the top four of MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 international, and depending who you asked, each had supporters to be the best in the class. Ethan Salas, ranked No. 1 on that list, went to the Padres, and the Reds got Duno, who came in at No. 4, for $3.1 million.

The Venezuelan backstop has the chance to be an impact all-around big league catcher if everything clicks. With elite bat speed, there’s a ton of raw power to tap into, and he could eventually have plus in-game pop. He does hit the ball hard and find the barrel consistently, though he can be too aggressive and allow his swing mechanics to get out of whack, something that should calm down once he gets pro reps and instruction. He’s even an average runner once underway, running well for a catcher.

While some might think Duno could outgrow his position given his size, there are no questions about his ability to stick behind the plate. His athleticism is a big asset, as he’s agile, flexible and blocks and receives well, while having at least a plus arm, too. 

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

DSL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/01/2024	Daytona Tortugas activated C Alfredo Duno from the 60-day injured list.
	07/03/2024	Daytona Tortugas transferred C Alfredo Duno from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	05/28/2024	Daytona Tortugas placed C Alfredo Duno on the 7-day injured list.
	05/28/2024	Daytona Tortugas placed C Alfredo Duno on the 7-day injured list.
	04/03/2024	C Alfredo Duno assigned to Daytona Tortugas from DSL Reds.
	03/07/2024	Cincinnati Reds Prospects activated C Alfredo Duno.
	07/29/2023	DSL NL All-Stars activated C Alfredo Duno.
	06/05/2023	DSL Reds activated C Alfredo Duno.
	02/03/2023	C Alfredo Duno assigned to DSL Reds.
	01/15/2023	Cincinnati Reds signed free agent C Alfredo Duno to a minor league contract.