Christopher Campbell Okey popularly known as Chris Okey is an American professional baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball.
He was born on December 29, 1994. In 2022, he made his MLB debut. He participated in college baseball for Clemson University’s Clemson Tigers.
Okey went to Florida’s Eustis High School. Okey earned four letters while participating on the school’s baseball team. He also participated in baseball for the American young national team.
Okey had a.411 batting average with four home runs and 29 runs batted in during his senior year (RBIs). Okey was taken in the 31st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres, but he did not sign.
To play collegiate baseball for the Clemson Tigers, Okey enrolled at Clemson University. During his first season, he alternated between playing catcher and designated hitter.
Okey was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2016 draft. After signing with the Reds and reportedly getting a $2 million signing bonus, Okey made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Pioneer League’s Billings Mustangs.
He was sent to the Dayton Dragons of the Class A Midwest League after appearing in nine games for Billings. Okey concluded the 2016 campaign with 51 games played, a batting average of.227, six home runs, and 22 RBIs.
On June 10, 2022, the Reds called up Okey to the major leagues due to Tyler Stephenson’s usual catcher Tyler Stephenson’s injury. On the same day, in a 2-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, he made his major league debut as a defensive replacement for Aramis Garcia.