Tyler Callihan is one of the top prep hitting prospects in the MLB draft class. The Florida native is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound left-handed hitter and likely will be a first-round pick when the draft begins June 3.

Since his high school season ended two weeks ago, Callihan has had phone calls with major league teams to touch base and reiterate the information they discussed with him in the fall, he said.

“Yeah, it’s crazy (it’s almost here),” said Callihan, a South Carolina commit. “it feels like we’ve been talking about it for quite a long time. It’s always has been so far away and now it’s coming up.”

Callihan’s best trait is his hitting ability. He has impressive raw power and consistently barrels up pitches.

His goal was to improve his approach at the plate this spring. He wanted to work counts and wait for the right pitch to drive, instead of chasing pitches early. He believes he refined his pitch selection throughout his senior season.

“I believe I grew the most with knowing my zone and where I am trying to hit the ball and do damage with a pitch, instead of just putting the ball in play early in the count just because I can,” Callihan said.

Callihan primarily played shortstop for Providence High School in Jacksonville, Florida this spring. He also played “five or six games” at catcher and served as the team’s closer.

Throughout the showcase circuit last summer, Callihan moved around the diamond and primarily played first base due to the depth of high-end talent in the middle infield and at third base.

If he opts to bypass the professional ranks in June and attend South Carolina in the fall, Callihan said he wouldn’t have a defined position.

Major league teams are split on Callihan’s future defensive position. He’s most comfortable at third base, but teams are open to trying him at second base or in left field, he said. A “couple” of teams have interest in him as an offensive-minded catcher, he added.

Although Callihan’s bat will get him drafted in the first round, he has a strong arm and has dedicated time to improving his footwork, range and athleticism in the field.

“Playing catcher is fun,” Callihan said. “I like being involved in every single pitch. The mental part of the game intrigues me. At the end of the day, as long as I’m in the batter’s box, (the position doesn’t matter to me).”

READ: Tyler Callihan is a talented prep hitter

READ: 2019 MLB Draft: Profiles on 55 top prospects

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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for four years. He’s interviewed 133 of the top draft prospects in that period, including three No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he’s appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.

