This is Hampson’s second go-around in Cincinnati after appearing in nine games for the team in 2025. Hampson started the season on a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks and made the Opening Day roster, but was subsequently released in May. Cincinnati signed Hampson to an MLB deal a few days later, but designated the utility man in late June, after which the Cardinals claimed Hampson off waivers. Hampson has been a free agent since he was DFA again and then released by St. Louis in September.
Over 62 games and 91 plate appearances across his three teams, Hampson hit just .143/.250/.169. It was a tough feat, even for a player with a modest .240/.301/.362 career slash line through the 2025 season, though Hampson’s versatility has been far more important than his bat in building an eight-year MLB career. Hampson has played at least eight games at every position on the diamond except catcher, most of which he played as second baseman and center fielder. Even in just those nine previous games with the Reds, Hampson appeared at second base, third base, shortstop and center field.
Cincinnati already has a number of multi-position players on its roster, so it could be difficult for Hampson to win a spot on the Reds’ roster. Hampson is also out of minor league options, while Staumont has one option year left and Leibrandt has two.
Staumont is back for what is technically his second season with the Reds, although an injury in preseason prevented Staumont from seeing any match action in the Majors or Minors. Staumont had pitched in each of the previous six big league seasons, posting a 3.97 ERA over 192 2/3 innings with the Royals and Twins. Once a key lever reliever and potential future stopper for Kansas City, Staumont’s production began to decline in 2022 as injuries affected his career, culminating in thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2023.
After averaging 98 mph with his fastball in 2020, Staumont’s velo dropped to 90.3 mph in the 2024 season, and his strikeout numbers also dropped sharply. Control was an issue for Staumont even in his prime, so it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll look like now as he enters his age-32 season and after a full year without pitching. However, the Reds already have firsthand knowledge of Staumont’s health situation, and an underage deal doesn’t pose a risk to the team if they bring Staumont into camp and see what else he can contribute.
Leibrandt is another former Red, as he posted a 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 innings (two appearances) for the team in 2024. This brief stint and five games (nine IP) with the Marlins in 2020 represents Leibrandt’s entire MLB resume, and the rest of his career has seen left-handed pitching in the minors, with independent league teams and with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. 2025.
Leibrandt had good results during about half a season in the CPBL, posting a 1.94 ERA and a 5.37% walk rate over 83 1/3 innings with the Brothers, albeit with a 16.45% strikeout rate. This was enough to get Cincinnati’s attention for a new contract, and Leibrandt thought this would act as Triple-A rotation depth.
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