Reds prospect Austin Hendrick headlines powerful Daytona Tortugas roster

The Daytona Tortugas are going to have some pop in their lineup this season. The Cincinnati Reds Low-A affiliate announced their 2021 Opening Day roster, and former first-round pick Austin Hendrick headlines a powerful lineup.

Hendrick was taken in the first-round of last year’s MLB Draft, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pennsylvania high school product didn’t see the field other than a late invite to the Reds alternate site in Mason, Ohio.

Reds prospects Austin Hendrick brings power to the Daytona Tortugas lineup.

Hendrick isn’t the only power bat in the Dayton Tortugas lineup. Former second-round pick Rece Hinds, who’s yet to figure out a position on the diamond, will also descend upon the Atlantic coast of Florida and suit up for the Tortugas in 2021.

Fellow 2019 draftee Tyler Callihan, who also carries a big stick, will join the dynamic duo of Hendrick and Hinds. The past two drafts for the Reds have seen Cincinnati grab some big bats. Both Hendrick and Hinds possess a plus, plus grade in the power department according to MLB Pipeline. Callihan has above-average power himself.

Infielders Debby Santana and Ivan Johnson will be on the field for Single-A Daytona as well. Santana is not as highly regarded as Hinds, but his bat profiles as a middle of the order corner infielder who’s natural position is third base. The switch-hitting Johnson will see plenty of time in the middle of the Tortugas infield.

The Reds sent some young pitchers to start for the Daytona Tortugas as well.

The Daytona Tortugas will see 16 pitchers start the season on their Opening Day roster. The most recognizable name among the bunch is probably Christian Roa, the Cincinnati Reds 2020 second-round draft pick. Roa should be right at home in the Sunshine State, as he spent his college career at Florida State University.

Another 2020 draftee, Bryce Bonnin, will begin the 2021 season with Single-A Daytona. Bonnin starred for the Texas A&M Aggies. The right-hander sits in the mid-90s with a fastball that can top out around 97-MPH. Bonnin has the tools to be an effective reliever and could move swiftly through the team’s minor league system.

Case Williams will be another interesting pitcher to follow, as he was part of the trade that brought Jeff Hoffman to Cincinnati. In exchange, the Reds shipped Robert Stephenson and Jameson to the Colorado Rockies.

Austin Hendrick will be the star of the Daytona Tortugas, but don’t sleep on Rece Hinds or Tyler Callihan as well. This Single-A Daytona lineup will be fun to follow throughout the early-going of the 2021 minor league season.