The Cincinnati Reds have been active in recent free agent signings, mainly focusing on minor league deals. They’ve continued this trend by signing P.J. Higgins to a minor league contract. This marks his return to the Reds organization after spending the 2024 season with Triple-A Louisville.
Higgins has played parts of two MLB seasons, appearing in 83 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2021 and 2022. Most of his big league action came in 2022, where he posted a .229/.310/.383 slash line while playing catcher, first base, and third base. These were also the positions he played in 2024 with the Bats in Triple-A.
The 31-year-old has had success at the Triple-A level in the past but faced some struggles at the plate in 2024. Before joining the Reds, Higgins had a .313/.394/.490 line over 249 games in Triple-A with the Cubs and Diamondbacks organizations. However, his 2024 season with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate saw him hit .259/.320/.385, with his strikeout rate at its highest and a significant drop in power compared to previous seasons.
With most of their catchers lost to free agency after the 2024 season, the Reds have worked to add depth at the position through free agency and the trade for Jose Trevino. Higgins’ signing helps further bolster the team’s depth at the higher levels, providing insurance in case of injuries or the need for adjustments within the farm system or even at the major league level. While Higgins primarily played first base in Louisville last season, he also caught 27 games of the 134 he appeared in.
