2020 Red Reporter Community Prospect Rankings: Stuart Fairchild is your #7 prospect!

Stuart Fairchild checks in next on the 2020 Community Prospect Rankings, fresh off a blistering finish to a 2019 season that saw him reach AA to much aplomb. A natural CF with a polished college pedigree, odds are he reaches AAA this year, and there’s a slight chance he might even begin the season there depending on how the rest of the team’s OF depth shakes out.

As for #8 on the list...

Tyler Callihan, 19, 2B/3B

Highest 2019 Level: Rookie (Billings)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: .172 ISO in 217 PAs in Greeneville. Good hit and power tool.

Most Worrisome Fact: 4.1 BB% and 21.2 K% in Greeneville. Maybe not the best defender.

Alias(es): Tyler Boy, Callihan Auto, Paint Chips

BB-Ref Page

Tyler Callihan was drafted by the Reds in last year’s draft in the third round out of Florida. At the time it was deemed a hard signing for the Reds because Callihan was well thought of and had a strong commitment to South Carolina. Instead, the Reds threw $1.5 mil at him to sign and were obviously lauded for doing so. Callihan is viewed by scouts as being a prospect that will be able to hit (55+ possible hit and power tool) with passable defense at 2B and 3B. Basically, he’ll find a place to play because the kid can hit. His only negative tool is that he isn’t very fast. Because of these facts, Callihan could be a fast riser on prospect lists with a good season. He’s not your typical high school draftee because there aren’t quite as many question marks about the kid.

In 2019, Callihan started the year in Greeneville where he got off to a slow start. He had a .250/.286/.422 slash line in 217 PAs. The bigger issues is Callihan didn’t show much of a propensity to take a walk with a walk rate less than 5%. But, it was also his first taste of pro ball and was facing a decent amount of college pitchers. Callihan did finish the year in Billings where he got a small sample size taste of success by hitting .400/.429/.650 in 21 plate appearances with a dinger and a triple. Obviously, the kid has decent power but will need to refine his approach going forward. Kudos for the Reds for continuing to be creative with the draft bonus pool and throw money around at high school kids with serious talent. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Callihan go to Dayton to start the year, but the Reds may be more cautious.

Michael Siani, 20, CF

Highest 2019 Level: A (Dayton)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: .333 OBP and 45 steals with a 75% success rate.

Most Worrisome Fact: .086 ISO. Decently high BABIP with a low average.

Alias(es): Say It Aint So Siani, The Great Salami, Siani Eye Single

BB-Ref Page

Michael Siani was drafted in the 4th round of the 2018 draft where the Reds paid him a lot of money to not attend college. Coincidentally, the Reds were rumored to be interested in his brother in this draft but that did not manifest. So far, Siani has rewarded their Reds for opening up their pocket books by quietly having a pretty good year in Dayton. He didn’t hit for power, and doesn’t really profile as a power hitter. However, he got on base and played the incredibly sick defense scouts thought he could play. Dude has like legit 60 play grades across the defensive board including his 60 speed. There is thought that if he can make his bat play up he’s a future Gold Glove kind of guy.

The issue with Siani going forward will be hit bat. Scouts are a bit skeptical if he’ll be able to make enough contact and has enough power to keep him moving up. We’re not talking Billy Hamilton bad here, but Siani does have his limitations. Still, all reports indicate he’s a solid young man, very coachable, and a hard worker. It’s also super nice to see his plate discipline while being one of the youngest players to play a whole season in Single A ball. Expect Siani to start the season in Daytona.

Rece Hinds, 19, 3B

Highest 2019 Level: Rookie (Greeneville)

Eye-Poppingest Fact: walked twice

Most Worrisome Fact: has never once picked up a hit as a professional

Alias(es): ‘Spoon, 57

BB-Ref Page

If you thought there was very little to go on with Siani and even less with Callihan, allow me to introduce you to Rece Hinds. Hinds, 19, was the 49th overall draft pick last year when the Reds plucked him in the 2nd round, and the 6’4” power-blaster has the natural ability to obliterate baseballs that few his age, or older, possess.

Of course, we just haven’t had the chance to see any of it yet.

Hinds logged just 10 PA for the Greeneville Reds in 2019 before a leg muscle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. In that time he picked up nary a hit, walked twice, struck out thrice, and drove in a lone run. So, we’re not exactly ranking him anywhere based on what he’s done to date, but rather his natural tools.

He’s listed at 215 lb for now, but will likely continue to fill out, and his size certainly helps fuel his powerful swing, which at this juncture is his calling card. He’ll swing and miss plenty - who doesn’t these days - but the Reds were obviously high enough on him to sign him for some $1.8 million last summer, and there are ample tools there. Hopefully, we get to see them on display healthily in 2020, with some dingers as a Dayton Dragon in his near future.