The Red Report: Ryan Hanigan

Ryan Hanigan

#29 / Catcher / Cincinnati Reds

Height: 6-0

Weight: 195

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 16, 1980

Fast Facts:

• Ryan M. Hanigan (his middle name appears to actually be "M.") was born in Washington DC in a time of turmoil and unrest in America.  Inflation was high.  Terrorists were holding Americans hostage.  And a guy who used to star in movies with monkeys was about to be elected President.  Hanigan knew from the start that he'd have to be tough to survive.
  
• His family moved to Andover, MA, a colonial town where at least 3 witches were executed during the late 1600s.  It is said that 350 men left Andover at the start of the Revolutionary War to fight in Lexington on that fateful night.  They didn't make it in time to actually fight, but still, that's tough.  Don't you believe for one second that you can make it out of Andover unless you're hardcore and rugged.
  
• Hanigan went on from Andover to Division-II Rollins College, a school that I can only assume was started by this guy, so you know it's tough.  Rollins also produced Major Leaguers Clay Bellinger and John Castino, two of the toughest sonsabitches you've ever met. 
  
• Hanigan went undrafted out of college, but signed as a free agent after the Reds saw him playing in the Cape Cod League - a league so poor, catchers played without any equipment.  Not even a glove.  (this may not be true) 
  
• Despite being undrafted, Hanigan has fought his way up through the minors tirelessly.  He's only batted under .250 over an entire season once as a pro and he's never posted an OBP under .355.  Despite those facts, his lack of power has prevented him from ever being considered a major prospect in the Reds system.
  

• He made his MLB debut on September 9, 2007 when he hit a pinch hit double against Milwaukee.  It is unclear whether he used a bat in that AB.
  
• He played most of the year in 2008 in Triple-A Louisville where he batted .324 while throwing out 38% of the runners who tried steal against him.
  
• He was called up to the big leagues again in August of 2008 and saw quite a bit of playing time over the last 2 months of the season.  He played in 31 games, batting .271/.367/.365 and throwing out 8 of the 23 attempted base stealers (35%).  He also won the Reds clubhouse tractor pull contest.  He was the only one who did not use a truck to pull the tractor.
  
• His 2nd career home run came on August 26 and ended up being the game winner for the Reds in a game they won 2-1 against the Astros.
• I'd say he's tough as nails, but nails cower in his presence.

Organizational History

Drafted/Signed: Was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Reds in 2002.
Signed by: Leland Maddox
GM when acquired by Reds: Jim Bowden

Contract Status:

MLB service time (As of Opening Day 2009): 0.077 years
Current contract status: Pre-arbitration, renewed on a one year contract 2/24/09

Career Stats:

(BBRef | FanGraphs | THT)

Scouting Report:

(via the Baseball Cube)

Power: 23
Speed: 14
Contact: 85
Patience: 78

2009 Projections: 

RR Projected Wins Above Replacement:  1.36

Graphs

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