Our look at the top 20 in the Reds system. Alonso and Frazier barely qualified. Having two of the top catchers in the game is a great problem to have.
1. Devin Mesoraco, C
Another strong year for one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Earned some time with the Reds at the end of the year and could be there to stay. Check out what we said about him in our International League Top 10.
2. Yasmani Grandal, C
Rare for a team to have their top two prospects behind the plate, but the Reds have two of the best. Grandal has put up outstanding offensive numbers and should remain behind the plate. Check out what we said about him in our California League Top 10.
3. Yonder Alonso, 1B
Barely qualified for the list, as Alonso has already impressed in Cincy. He does not have a ton of upside, but you know you will get a strong OBP and at least league average power at 1B. He will get a chance to play LF, but will put my money on him moving back to 1B at some point.
4. Billy Hamilton, SS
Certainly has a long way to go, but the upside due to his off the charts speed in undeniable. Wrote about him in our Midwest League Top 10.
5. Daniel Corcino, RHP
Corcino impressed this season, with a 10.08 K/9 IP. Also made our Midwest League Top 10. Chance he ends up in the bullpen. Will need to show a better feel for his off-speed pitches next season.
6. Robert Stephenson, RHP
The Reds top draft pick this season had flown under the radar, but impressed his senior year. Stephenson features a mid-90′s fastball along with a solid curve. He also has a smooth delivery and has been able to repeat it well. Stephenson will need to work on a 3rd pitch if he hopes to start down the road. Really look forward to watching him next season.
7. Zack Cozart, SS
Cozart does little great, but is solid in many aspects and his shown increasing power, with an ISO% of .158. While he does not walk much, Cozart cut down on the strikeouts this season and is showing he will hit for a solid average. He is a decent defender and will stay at short. Cozart should be a league average player at short, and will certainly have value.
8. Neftali Soto, 1B
While the strikeouts went up this season, the power went way up. Soto posted an IS0 of .303 along with 30 HR’s. This is the kind of power Soto will need, if he is going to be an above average everyday player. Soto will never hit for a high average and has yet to show a strong OBP.
9. Kyle Lotzkar, RHP
Injuries have held him back, but when healthy, Lotzkar impressed in 2011. He punched out 9.72 per 9 IP due in part to a strong curve. Lotzkar has a very strong 4 pitch mix and has solid command. Lotzkar will need to prove he can stay healthy moving forward.
10. Yorman Rodriguez, OF
His triple slash numbers regressed this year, but Rodriguez showed improvement in some areas. He nearly doubled his walk rate from last season. He just turned 19, so it should be no surprise that Rodriguez is more tools than anything. The power upside is there, but must continue to cut down the strike zone. Definitely a project, but showing the signs.
11. Ronald Torreyes, 2B
Torreyes hardly strike out….ever. In short-season ball, Torreyes was punched out in just 6.2% of AB’s. Along with the high contact, Torreyes has shown some power, slugging .457 this season. Moreover, his defense earns high praise and a below average arm is the main reason that Torreyes does not profile well at short. Torreyes will play full season at age 19 in 2012.
12. Amir Garrett, LHP
So, the kid has yet to play organized baseball, but that does not mean he can’t pitch. Garrett is a top 100 basketball recruit and will play at St. Johns once being declared academically eligible. On the mound, Garrett shows a fastball that reaches the mid-90′s with a solid changeup. Garrett is a project, but has the 6-6 frame that scouts drool over.
13. Todd Frazier, 3B
Frazier basically put up the same season in AAA as he did a year ago. Neither season impressed and he strikes out 4 times per every walk he takes. Frazier can play multiple infield positions and will likely be a utility player, with upside of a league average starter.
14. Ryan LaMarre, OF
14. Ryan LaMarre, OF
LaMarre is a likely CF with outstanding speed, as evidenced by his 52 SB’s this season. He will need to do more at the plate in order to be a valuable player, however. While LaMarre has projected to hit for a high average, he is striking out 19% of the time and his walks do not quite make up for it. With the lack of power, his average and OBP will need to improve moving forward.
15. Brad Boxberger, RHP
Many expected Boxberger to move back to the rotation this season, but he stayed in the pen and thrived overall, striking out 14.94 per 9 IP in AA. His fastball sits in the mid-90′s out of the pen and he throws an average slider. Command has always been an issue for Boxberger,and while he showed improvement this season, will need to continue to improve moving forward. Should be in the Reds pen at some point in 2012.
16. Gabriel Rosa, OF
16. Gabriel Rosa, OF
The Reds popped Rosa with their 2nd pick in this years draft and they got a player with good upside. He has above average power and speed to go with strong bat speed. He has a chance to stick in center, but his 6-4 frame may force him to move to RF as he fills out.
17. Henry Rodriguez, 2B
Rodriguez has continued to impress as he move up the ladder, posting an OPS of .891 in High-A before a mid-season promotion, where he held his own at age 21. He has consistently hit for average and has shown some power. Does a very good job hitting from both sides of the plate.
18. Didi Gregorius, SS
While not too impressive at the plate, Gregorius is great at short. He has above average range and a strong arm and this is where Gregorius has most of his value. He did make strides at the plate this season and does not strike out a ton. If he can become more than a slap hitter, Gregorius will be a valuable player down the road.
19. David Sappelt, OF
Sappelt had another strong season, showing he can hang with the big boys and spent some time in Cincy. Expect him to hit for a strong average, and what is most surprising is that Sappelt has put up solid slugging numbers for someone standing in at 5-9. Good chance he is just a 4th OF, but could be a league average player.
20. Tony Cingrani, LHP
20. Tony Cingrani, LHP
Cingrani will likely be the first of the Reds 2011 picks to reach the majors. He moved to the bullpen last season, where his fastball consistently reached the upper 90′s. Congrani will need solid command of his fastball to make up for the lack of off-speed pitches in his arsenal. Expect him in a big league bullpen before the end of 2012.
You’ve got to assume one of Mesoraco/Grandal and one of Votto/Alonso will be traded for pitching. If not, Jocketty is holding onto redundant resources.
Definitely a strong possibility. They will try these guys at different first. I’d be surprised if they traded Votto this season, because then they would be giving up on the 2012 season when they have a strong chance of winning. I’d be surprised if one of Mesoraco/Grandal is not packaged for pitching in the next year or two.