BRADENTON, Fla. -- Standing in front of a Pirates backdrop inside the interview room at LECOM Park, Tyler Callihan glanced down and began to count the scars on his surgically repaired left arm, the result of a gruesome injury that occurred May 5 at Atlanta.
“I have this one, this one and this one,” Callihan said Friday morning. “It might not look great, but it feels great.”
After trading Kyle Nicolas to the Reds for Callihan on Wednesday night, the Pirates will hope those scars -- the remnants of three surgeries -- form some sort of map back to the type of player Callihan was becoming at the start of the 2025 season.
In 24 games for Triple-A Louisville, Callihan hit .303 and posted a .938 OPS -- Cincinnati’s No. 19 prospect at the time of the trade, using his strong start to earn a promotion to the Major Leagues.
That progress was disrupted by Callihan’s collision into the outfield wall. But he hasn’t forgotten what was working for him at the time.
“I was trying to be short to the ball, be on time for the fastball and make adjustments,” Callihan said. “My swing was in a really good spot. I’m working back there. I feel confident now, making adjustments as we go."
If Callihan can pick up where he left off, it can only help the Pirates, who have a few different ways to use the 25-year-old the Reds drafted in the third round back in 2019, a left-handed hitter with a .749 OPS in 396 Minor League games.
Originally a second baseman, Callihan has shown he’s capable at third base, as well as in the outfield. It’s also important to note that the wall incident is no longer a thing.
While working out with the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz., Callihan said he made a concerted effort to dig balls out of the corner, recognizing how much room he had and adjusting.
“I’ve gotten significantly more comfortable," Callihan said. "That’s really an afterthought at this point.”
In Pittsburgh, the most logical path to playing time involves third base, where Jared Triolo is considered the incumbent … but he could also shift to shortstop or a utility role based on top prospect Konnor Griffin’s readiness and team needs.
But for Callihan to nail down regular work, it starts with his bat and swing that, in the Minor Leagues, has featured gap-to-gap power, even if that didn’t mean gaudy home run totals.
Two years ago, Callihan finished with a .788 OPS in 73 games across two levels. He was especially effective against right-handed pitching, posting a .863 OPS there compared to a .542 OPS versus southpaws.
If that would hold in MLB, Callihan might become an intriguing platoon option along with Triolo.
“He’s a versatile left-handed bat who really can swing it and play all over,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “We’ll see him at multiple positions. … We’re really excited he’s healthy and ready to roll.”
So is Callihan, of course.
The injury obviously wasn’t ideal. It was certainly painful. It required plenty of work. But it gave the Florida native additional perspective, allowing Callihan to step away from the game and spend more time around his wife (Cat) and their newborn son (Crew).
“There’s always a silver lining,” Callihan said. “My son was born a couple weeks later. I got to spend a lot of time with him, time I’ll never get back. Also to step away from the game and understand I’m more than baseball. I’m a father, I’m a son, I’m a brother. All of that is very important to me.
“Baseball-related, I got time to step back. I could appreciate being on the field. Not that I ever took it for granted before. But now, every swing I’m thankful to be here.”
After the trade news broke -- Callihan said he was shocked -- he got a call from an old friend in Pirates pitcher Hunter Barco. The two grew up around Jacksonville, competing for rival high schools, training together and navigating the travel ball circuit.
Barco -- ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Pirates' No. 5 prospect -- said he told Callihan about the Pirates’ clubhouse culture and how things are being handled in Pittsburgh.
“Tyler will fit right in,” Barco said. “I told him it was a really, really fun clubhouse to be in right now. He'll be coming into a good spot with the Pirates."
The feeling is mutual. The Pirates have been looking for left-handed-hitting infield depth, someone with offensive upside and the ability to bounce around to a few different positions.
After a year mostly missed, Callihan can’t wait to start that entire process with a new team.
“It’s a fresh start, a reset,” Callihan said. “It’s a young team. I think we really have a chance to make an impact. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win.”