The Reds selected Banfield's contract Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville.
Banfield will remain in the minors despite joining the 40-man roster, claiming the spot that previously belonged to P.J. Higgins. Banfield has spent the entire season at Louisville while slashing .281/.337/.439 with six home runs, 34 RBI and 26 runs across 189 plate appearances. He'd likely be promoted if Tyler Stephenson or Jose Trevino were to miss any amount of time.