After going undrafted in 1988, Mike Songini went to one unsuccessful tryout, then he arrived with the Reds, The Billings Gazette wrote.
He soon impressed Reds scouts - including minor league director Branch Rickey. Enough so for them to offer him a contract, The Gazette wrote.
"I was grinning from ear-to-ear," Songini told The Gazette of his reaction. "The first thing Rickey told me was, "You've got a job in Billings.' Then I knew he was serious."
Songini played that first season at Billings. He then went on to see three more campaigns. He topped out at high-A.
Songini's career began that year in 1988, signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent out of the University of South Carolina.
At South Carolina, Songini he hit a single, double and two home runs in a April 1987 game. One of his home runs led off the game, The Columbia Record wrote.
Mike can get you on the board one way or another," South Carolina head coach June Raines told The Record. "He hits with power, and if you walk him, he will steal a base or two on you."
With the Reds, he started at rookie Billings. He got into 56 games and hit .347, with three home runs and 11 stolen bases.
He then moved to single-A Greensboro for 1989. He saw 117 games and hit .245. He started the year in a slump and then appeared to get out of it in May, getting two hits in a game, one a home run, The Greensboro News & Record wrote.
"It feels great to contribute, and some of the coaches have told me to do what I'm capable of doing," Songini told The News & Record. "I know I can hit, but haven't been doing it with consistency until the last two games."
Songrini moved to independent short-season Erie for 1990. He saw 78 games there and hit .321. He then played 20 games at high-A independent Reno in 1991 to end his career.
- Columbia Record, April 18, 1987: Songini starting things off right
- Billings Gazette, July 20, 1988: Songini not overlooked any more
- Greensboro News & Record, May 20, 1989: Hornets whip Charleston
Made the Majors:1,385-32.5%
Never Made Majors:2,872-67.5%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:347
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