The Cincinnati Reds quietly added some depth and flexibility this winter. They signed three veterans to minor-league contracts: utilityman Garrett Hampson, right-handed reliever Josh Staumont, and left-hander Brandon Leibrandt.
All three joined the club in December. The Reds now have a mix of defensive versatility, bullpen upside, and rotation insurance as Spring Training gets closer.
Reds Add Depth with Three Minor-League Signings
The Reds want to stay competitive while developing young talent. Moves like these feel pretty familiar and pragmatic for this front office.
None of these signings cost much, but each one could pay off if things fall into place.
Garrett Hampson Brings Versatility—and Urgency
Garrett Hampson stands out as the most recognizable name here. He’s known for his glove and his recent stint with Cincinnati.
He returns to the Reds after just nine games in 2025, a year when he bounced between the Diamondbacks, Reds, and Cardinals.
At the plate, Hampson struggled last season. He hit just .143/.250/.169 over 62 games and 91 plate appearances.
The bat hasn’t defined his career, though. Hampson sticks around because of his glove—he’s played everywhere except catcher, mostly at second base and center field.
That kind of flexibility matters, especially over a long, unpredictable season. But there’s some pressure now—he’s out of minor-league options.
He’ll have to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster or risk hitting waivers. His non-roster Spring Training invite sets up a real camp battle.
Josh Staumont Looks to Reignite His Career
Josh Staumont technically enters his second season with the Reds, but fans never saw him pitch in 2025. An injury in the preseason wiped out his year and delayed a fresh start.
The 31-year-old reliever carries a career 3.97 ERA over 192 2/3 major-league innings. He built those numbers as a hard-throwing bullpen arm, but injuries have taken their toll.
His thoracic outlet surgery in 2023 led to drops in both velocity and strikeout rate. Staumont still has one minor-league option left, which gives the club some flexibility to see if he can get back to form.
Brandon Leibrandt Provides Triple-A Stability
Brandon Leibrandt rounds out the group as a familiar face with a pretty specific role. The lefty threw 6 1/3 innings for Cincinnati in 2024, plus nine more with the Marlins back in 2020.
He spent 2025 pitching in Taiwan’s CPBL with the CTBC Brothers. The results looked good on the surface: a 1.94 ERA over 83 1/3 innings.
But his strikeout rate was just 16.45%. He seems to lean on command and sequencing rather than raw stuff.
Leibrandt has two option years left and looks like Triple-A rotation depth. That’s not flashy, but it’s something every team needs over a long season.
Low Risk, Useful Flexibility for Cincinnati
Collectively, these signings fit a clear theme. The Reds added:
None of these moves grab headlines, but all three give Cincinnati options. The Reds can now absorb injuries or experiment in Spring Training without much risk.
Here is the source article for this story: Reds Sign Garrett Hampson, Josh Staumont, Brandon Leibrandt To Minors Contracts
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