3 Reds prospects strangely absent from Chattanooga Lookouts roster

2. Michael Siani, Reds outfield prospect

Even more surprising than Jacob Heatherly’s omission was the absence of Michael Siani from the Chattanooga Lookouts 2021 Opening Day roster. The Cincinnati Reds fourth-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft seems like he’s well on his way to making an impact.

While the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season, I expected Siani to leapfrog Advanced-A Dayton. I guess I was wrong, and Siani will likely find a home in center field for the Dayton Dragons to begin his 2021 campaign.

Siani is one of the most exciting young prospects in the Cincinnati Reds farm system. His blend of speed and defense will make some fans reminisce about Billy Hamilton’s time in Queen City. However, much like Hamilton, Siani is going to have to find ways to get on base in order to make his speed on the base paths part of his repertoire.

His career .338 on-base percentage suggests that Siani is on the right path, but being sure the young outfielder maintains that level of play as he ascends through the Reds minor league systems is essential. Siani isn’t going to wow you with power, but if he can find his way to a .330 on-base percentage, that alone will get him to the big leagues.

Nick Senzel better not get too comfortable in center field because sooner or later Michael Siani will be the Cincinnati Reds starting centerfielder. It’s been good to see David Bell utilize Senzel as an infielder and outfielder in recent games. That will eventually allow Siani to supplant the former first-round pick on a regular basis once he shows the ability to hit major league caliber pitching.