MLB Rookie Report: Steve Selsky, OF, Cincinnati Reds

On Friday the Cincinnati Reds (as part of a busy weekend of roster moves) promoted outfielder Steve Selsky to the major league roster. Here's a quick take on the newest Red.

Selsky was originally drafted by the Reds in the 33rd round from the University of Arizona. He was seen primarily as roster-filler but got himself on the sonar by making a lot of noise in A-ball, hitting .317/.377/.515 in 2012 and .274/.367/.440 in 2013. He was productive in Double-A in 2014 (.301/.410/.367) but less so after moving up to Triple-A (.240/.359/.339). His 2015 season was ruined by a torn left meniscus but he did hit .317/.386/.428 in 180 at-bats for Louisville.

Selsky stood at .275/.380/.383 with one homer, 19 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 130 at-bats for Louisville this year before his promotion.

Listed at 6-2, 2015, Selsky is a right-handed hitter and thrower, age 26. As you may surmise from his background, he isn't a toolsy sort, lacking speed or significant raw power. He hits line drives, however, and is adept at drawing walks and getting on base. His tools limit him to the corner outfield spots and first base, as he lacks the quickness to play elsewhere on a regular basis. He catches what he gets to but won't wow you with his range.

In the majors he projects as a pinch-hitter and bench asset.

In this RedsMinorLeagues.com video, Selsky hits one of the two homers he collected last year.

Here is a more typical example of his line drive approach.