Enhanced Discipline Helps Reds’ Michael Siani Raise His Game

Michael Siani has always been known for his defense. The center fielder uses his plus speed to his advantage and his arm plays well.

The 23-year-old Siani has shown some offensive potential, but his bat had not found the same level of success since he signed as a 2018 fourth-round pick out of Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.

After the 2021 season, the Reds sent Siani to the Arizona Fall League, and things began to change at the plate.

“The elbow (injury) I had last year at the beginning of the season, I didn’t really get to get going,” Siani said. “The Fall League was huge, just continuing to play a little bit more. It was good to see the competitive arms. That was great.”

While it was just 14 games, Siani hit .300 and walked 10 times against nine strikeouts. His contact rate took a big step forward.

Siani jumped to Double-A Chattanooga this season, and those improvements at the plate came with him.

“There have been a few things I’ve been working on discipline-wise, but also at the same time being aggressive early in the count on strikes.” Siani said. “Just being competitive, keeping my bat in the zone as long as I can, limiting the strikeouts—that was a big deal for me.”

After striking out 25% of the time with High-A Dayton in 2021, Siani’s focus on contact paid off with a strikeout rate near 17% this season at Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville following a late-season promotion. He hit .252/.345/.405 overall in 129 games.

“I wasn’t really focused on hitting for power,” Siani said. “I think that just kind of comes with maturity and getting better approach- and discipline-wise.”

While power wasn’t a focus for Siani, it came naturally in 2022. The lefthanded hitter reached career highs with 14 homers, 19 doubles and seven triples. He also stole 52 bases in 64 tries.

The Reds called up Siani on Sept. 21 and he appeared in nine games as he prepares for a potentially larger role in 2023.

RED HOTS

— The 2022 season marked the 13th time in the last 15 seasons that the Reds farm system had an overall losing record.

— Lefthander Andrew Abbott battled some inconsistency early on in Double-A after his promotion in mid May, but his final six weeks of the year saw him post a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings. In that time he allowed just two home runs and struck out 46 batters.