Reds protect Arizona Fall League standouts from Rule 5 Draft, add to 40-man roster

The Cincinnati Reds added two players to the 40-man roster this afternoon. Both right-handed pitcher Luis Mey and infielder Tyler Callihan had their contracts selected ahead of Tuesday's deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.

Mey and Callihan both particiapted in the Arizona Fall League this year and greatly bolstered their stock while playing in the AFL. Mey went 6-for-6 in save opportunities while making eight relief appearances for the Glendale Desert Dogs. Callihan played all over the diamond while hitting .263/.337/.425 in 19 games.

Reds add Luis Mey & Tyler Callihan to 40-man roster, protect both prospects from Rule 5 Draft

Mey was an international signee several years back, but it wasn't until this past season that he began to show his true potential. The righty was able to rear back and deliver the ball at 100-plus, but control issues constantly plagued the young hurler. Though those issues still exist, Mey showed plenty of promise to earn a roster spot.

Callihan will fit Terry Francona's hitting philosophy quite well. The 23-year-old has a hit-over-power type of approach in the batters' box, and his versatility allows Callihan to be deployed all over the diamond. Callihan will be able to fill the role of utility player rather nicely.

The Reds left a handful of players off the 40-man roster, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Any player taken at the Rule 5 Draft next month must remain on the receiving team's active roster throughout the season, or be offer back to his original team, in order to be passed through waivers or optioned to the minor leagues.

Neither Mey nor Callihan are likely to break through as part of the Reds' Opening Day roster in 2025, but both could earn a call-up at some point. The Reds have more roster decisions around the corner, with the non-tender deadline approaching this Friday.

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