The Cincinnati Reds drafted catcher Jacob Friend in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Davidson College. Friend, 23, also plays center field and right field. In 2025, he spent time with the ACL Reds and Daytona. However, he really struggled, slashing just .179/.413/.321 with 11 extra-base hits and 64 strikeouts in 72 games. This year, in 22 games, Friend has been incredible at the dish, slashing .329/.440/.707 with 17 extra-base hits. On Tuesday, he was named the Florida State League Player of the Month. He leads the FSL in total bases, slugging percentage, and OPS. "In the batter's box he’s a patient hitter who works the count and has a good understanding of the strike zone," Doug Gray of RedsMinorLeagues.com wrote when he was drafted . "He never really hit for much average in college, hitting .274, .277, and .274 in his three seasons at Davidson. He walked more than he struck out as a junior, but that is more due to his high walk rate than him making a lot of contact.…