Will Banfield Bio
William Frank Banfield is an American professional baseball catcher who made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2025. Born in Snellville, Georgia, Banfield was selected by the Miami Marlins in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. After seven seasons progressing through the Marlins minor league system, he signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization prior to the 2025 campaign and appeared in seven games for the major league club during his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Will Banfield was born on November 18, 1999, in Snellville, Georgia. He attended Brookwood High School in his hometown, where he developed as a baseball player prior to entering the professional ranks. His performance as a high school catcher caught the attention of MLB scouts, leading to his selection in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Banfield entered professional baseball when the Miami Marlins selected him in the second round with the 69th overall pick of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. His selection represented a significant step toward a professional career, as he began his development within the Marlins organization immediately after signing.
Will Banfield Career
Minor League Development (2018–2024)
Banfield began his professional career in 2018, splitting his debut season between the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins and Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. In 2019, he became a regular starter for the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, appearing in 101 games while slashing .199/.252/.310 with nine home runs and 55 runs batted in.
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Banfield from game action. He returned in 2021 with the High-A Beloit Snappers, where he hit .180/.258/.308 with six home runs and 42 RBI over 67 games. The following year, Banfield split time between Beloit and the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, combining for a .223/.258/.366 slash line with 11 home runs and 52 RBI across 102 appearances.
Banfield experienced a breakthrough campaign in 2023 while playing exclusively for Pensacola. He batted .258/.302/.472 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI in 115 games, demonstrating significant power development and consistency behind the plate. His 2024 season with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp saw him play 93 games, hitting .247/.296/.379 with nine home runs and 41 RBI. He elected free agency on November 4, 2024.
Cincinnati Reds Era (2024–Present)
On November 22, 2024, Banfield signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. He reported to the Triple-A Louisville Bats to begin the 2025 season, where he played 72 games and hit .220/.277/.304 with two home runs and 23 RBI prior to his promotion.
On August 20, 2025, Banfield was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. He made seven appearances for the Reds during his rookie campaign, recording one hit in 10 at-bats for a .100 batting average. Following the season, Banfield was non-tendered by Cincinnati on November 21, 2025, becoming a free agent. However, he quickly re-signed with the Reds organization on December 2, 2025, on a new minor league contract.
Defensive Role and Strengths
Throughout his minor league career, Banfield has served primarily as a catcher, developing his defensive skills behind the plate while progressing through each level of the minors. His experience spanning from rookie ball through Triple-A demonstrates his ability to handle advanced pitching staffs and manage game situations at the highest minor league level.
Notable Milestones
Banfield reached several significant career milestones during his progression. His 2023 season with Pensacola represented his most productive offensive year, as he established new career highs in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. The promotion to the Reds in August 2025 marked the culmination of his seven-year minor league development, as he became just the second player from his 2018 draft class to reach the majors.
Will Banfield Career Statistics
Banfield has accumulated offensive statistics across seven seasons in the minor leagues before his brief MLB appearance in 2025. His progression showed steady improvement, with his best professional season coming in 2023 at the Double-A level before advancing to Triple-A Jacksonville in 2024.
MLB Summary (2025)
In his rookie season with the Reds, Banfield appeared in seven games and recorded one hit in 10 at-bats. His MLB statistics through the 2025 season include a .100 batting average, zero home runs, and zero runs batted in.
Notable Minor League Seasons
His most notable minor league performances came during his time with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In 2023, he batted .258 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI in 115 games. His 2019 season with Clinton LumberKings also provided an early look at his potential, as he drove in 55 runs while appearing in 101 games at the Single-A level.
Will Banfield Family
Background
Public records indicate that Will Banfield is from Snellville, Georgia, where he attended Brookwood High School. Details regarding his family background, parents, or siblings are not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Will Banfield maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates about his baseball career. His professional trajectory from Georgia high school baseball to MLB represents a significant accomplishment in his athletic career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Banfield’s transition from minor league veteran to major league player. After beginning the year with the Louisville Bats at Triple-A, he earned his promotion to Cincinnati in late August. His seven-game stint with the Reds provided valuable experience at the highest level, though his offensive output was limited during the brief sample size.
Following the season, the Reds non-tendered Banfield, but the organization quickly moved to retain him by signing him to a new minor league contract in early December 2025. This indicates the Reds view Banfield as a player who can compete for a roster spot during spring training in future seasons. His path to the majors after seven minor league seasons demonstrates persistence and development within a professional organization before reaching the highest level.