Get ready for an exciting season as the Dayton Dragons gear up for their 26th year! The annual home opener, a highly anticipated event, is set for April 7th, pitting the Dragons against their Ohio rivals, the Lake County Captains. But here's where it gets intriguing: this game holds a special significance as it marks the official start of the Dragons' 2026 campaign, with the team hitting the road a few days prior on April 2nd to face the Lugnuts in Lansing.
Over the next four weeks, we'll be diving deep into an eight-part series, previewing the candidates for the Dragons' 2026 roster. Today, we kick things off with a focus on the catchers, a position that promises to be a highlight of the season.
Spring training is in full swing in Arizona, with an impressive 216 players battling it out for spots on the Cincinnati Reds' major and minor league rosters. Only 146 will make the cut, so the competition is fierce. The Reds' full-season affiliates remain unchanged, with each team gearing up for a spring schedule from March 11th to 29th. The Dragons will arrive in Dayton on March 31st, with a couple of workouts before heading to Lansing.
Now, let's meet the catchers who could be donning the Dragons' jersey this season.
Alfredo Duno: This 20-year-old Venezuelan is a true standout, standing at an impressive 6'3" and weighing 248 lbs. Duno is not just the top prospect at the catcher position for the Dragons; he's one of the most highly-rated prospects to ever pass through Dayton, regardless of position. Baseball America ranks him as the #2 prospect in the Reds organization, trailing only Sal Stewart.
Duno spent the 2025 season with the Daytona Tortugas, where he dominated the Florida State League. He was named the league's Most Valuable Player and was recognized as the best Major League prospect. Duno led the league in eight key categories, including home runs (18), RBIs (81), and on-base percentage (.430). His performance was even more impressive considering the Florida State League is notoriously tough for hitters.
Baseball America's scouting report on Duno highlights his exceptional understanding of the strike zone and his powerful swing, which could consistently produce 25 home runs. Duno's signature moment came in the Arizona Fall League playoffs, where he hit three home runs in a single game, including two estimated at over 450 feet. That's a feat that's rarely seen in Dragons history.
Duno's success continues a trend of top prospects passing through Dayton. The last time the Dragons had a player who won their league's MVP the previous year was in 2007 with Chris Valaika. Duno's talent and potential place him among the most highly-regarded prospects in Dragons history.
Ryan McCrystal: McCrystal had an impressive 2025 season, splitting his time between Daytona and the Dragons. He's a versatile player who can also play first base. In a different scenario, McCrystal might be the Dragons' everyday catcher, but with Duno on the roster, his role could shift. The Reds could utilize McCrystal at catcher a few times a week, with some days at first base and as the designated hitter. This decision will likely be made by the Reds' Director of Player Development, Jeremy Farrell, with input from Corky Miller, the Reds' Catching Coordinator.
McCrystal was the Reds' ninth-round draft pick in 2024, and in his first full professional season, he batted .295 with four home runs in 67 games with Daytona. His defensive skills are still developing, but he's expected to be one of the Dragons' best hitters.
Diego Omana: Omana, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, is known for his exceptional defensive skills. While much of the attention in the Reds' farm system goes to Connor Burns, Omana quietly had a stellar defensive season with the Dragons in 2025. His throwing abilities were on full display, as he consistently shut down opposing base stealers.
However, Omana's hitting has been a struggle, batting just .200 with one home run in 48 games in 2025. Despite this, he could be a valuable backup to Duno if the Reds decide to keep McCrystal at first base.
Stay tuned for the next installment of our eight-part series, where we'll be previewing the first basemen in the Dragons' 2026 roster.
