Michael Siani may have had the biggest game of his professional career on Sunday. The Dayton Dragons outfielder and Cincinnati Reds #8 overall prospect singled, doubled, and homered in the game against Lansing. He also stole his 39th base of the season as he continues to pace the organization in steals.
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Get out the tape measure on that one ??@mikesiani6 with a 2-run rocket ?#Dragons20? pic.twitter.com/3I7wTLXrwV
— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) August 18, 2019
It’s been an interesting year for Michael Siani, who has the same number of doubles as triples as home runs now, with six each. The big game on Sunday comes at a good time and could be a sign that he’s ready to bust out of a slump that he’s been in during August, particularly the last week. He was just 1 for his last 24 entering the game.
Of course, even if Michael Siani is slumping at the plate he’s helping the team out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: He makes highlight reel plays several times a week. Earlier this month I gave him the nod as the best defensive outfielder in the system. This weekend was no different, either. On Saturday he made this play in Lansing to save two runs.
.@mikesiani6 makes this centerfield thing look way too easy… ?#Dragons20? pic.twitter.com/Y0IM0D0MTX
— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) August 18, 2019
Tyler Stephenson’s hot August continues
Sunday wasn’t just for Michael Siani to show off the bat. Tyler Stephenson did so, too. With the Chattanooga Lookouts on the road in Mobile, Stephenson doubled and homered in the Lookouts blowout win on Sunday. The Reds 1st round draft pick from 2015 has been on fire over the last 2-and-a-half weeks. Dating back to July 30th the catcher has hit .395/.500/.651 for Chattanooga.
For Tyler Stephenson that strong run has boosted his season line to .282/.375/.411. He’s doubled 16 times, tripled once, and he now has 6 home runs to go with 35 walks and 57 strikeouts in 81 games played. His .786 OPS is 106 points higher than the Southern League average. That’s not too bad for a catcher who just celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday.