Reds Sign Garrett Hampson, Josh Staumont, Brandon Leibrandt to Minor Contracts
The Reds signed the utility Garrett Hampsonthe right hand Josh Staumontand the left hand Brandon Leibrandt in minor league deals in December, according to MLB.com’s individual player profile page. Hampson’s deal was also announced today in the Reds’ official feed, with the additional details that Hampson has been invited to the team’s Spring Training camp.
This is Hampson’s second time around Cincinnati, after appearing in nine games with the team in 2025. Hampson began the season on a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks and made the Opening Day roster, but was released in May. Cincinnati inked Hampson to an MLB contract a few days later but designated a laborer in late June, and the Cardinals claimed Hampson off waivers. Hampson has been a free agent since being DFA’ed and then released by the St. Louis Cardinals. Louis in September.
Over 62 games and 91 plate appearances spread across his three teams, Hampson hit just .143/.250/.169. It was a tough showing even for a player who carried a .240/.301/.362 slash line into the 2025 season, though Hampson’s versatility was more important than his bat in carving out an eight-year MLB career. Hampson has played at least eight games in every position on the diamond outside of catcher, coming in as a second baseman and center fielder. Despite those past nine games with the Reds, Hampson has appeared at second base, third base, shortstop, and center field.
Cincinnati already has multiple position players on the roster, so Hampson may have a tough time winning a spot on the Reds’ roster. Hampson is also out of the minor league programs, while Staumont has one year left and Leibrandt has two.
Staumont is technically back for his second season with the Reds, although preseason injuries kept Staumont from getting any game action in the majors or minors. Staumont has pitched in each of the past six major league seasons, posting a 3.97 ERA over 192 2/3 innings with the Royals and Twins. Once a key player and potential future in Kansas City, Staumont’s production began to decline in 2022 as injuries impacted his career, resulting in thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2023.
After averaging 98 mph on his fastball in 2020, Staumont’s velocity dropped to 94.3 mph in the 2024 season, and his strikeout numbers also dropped significantly. Control has been an issue for Staumont even in his prime, so it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll look like now entering his age-32 season and after a full year out. The Reds already have first-hand knowledge of Staumont’s health status, however, and the minor league deals don’t represent a risk for the team to bring Staumont into camp and see what he can contribute.
Leibrandt is still another former Red, as he posted a 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 innings (two appearances) for the team in 2024. This short stint with five games (nine IP) with the Marlins in 2020 should be Leibrandt’s entire MLB resume, and his entire career, with South African teams seeing the Professional Champions League. CTBC Brothers Baseball League in 2025.
Leibrandt has been productive in 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, though he has a 16.45% strikeout rate. This was enough to get Cincinnati’s attention for another contract, and Leibrandt figures to serve as triple-A rotation depth.
