Post by Fuck Mike Brown on Nov 21, 2007 13:05:31 GMT -5
This deserved it's own post here on minor league day. Here is Baseball America's top ten minor leaguers for the Reds. It's pretty self explanatory, so I'm not going to say much.
Cincinnati Reds
By J.J. Cooper
November 21, 2007
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Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2008.
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J.J. Cooper at 1:30 p.m. ET Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect Handbook
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TOP TEN
PROSPECTS
1. Jay Bruce, of
2. Homer Bailey, rhp
3. Joey Votto, 1b/of
4. Johnny Cueto, rhp
5. Drew Stubbs, of
6. Devin Mesoraco, c
7. Todd Frazier, ss
8. Juan Francisco, 3b
9. Josh Roenicke, rhp
10. Matt Maloney, lhp
BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Jay Bruce
Best Power Hitter Jay Bruce
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Paul Janish
Fastest Baserunner Chris Dickerson
Best Athlete Chris Dickerson
Best Fastball Homer Bailey
Best Curveball Homer Bailey
Best Slider Johnny Cueto
Best Changeup Travis Wood
Best Control Johnny Cueto
Best Defensive Catcher Crag Tatum
Best Defensive Infielder Zach Cozart
Best Infield Arm Juan Francisco
Best Defensive Outfielder Drew Stubbs
Best Outfield Arm Cody Strait
PROJECTED 2011
LINEUP
Catcher Devin Mesoraco
First Base Joey Votto
Second Base Brandon Phillips
Third Base Todd Frazier
Shortstop Chris Valaika
Left Field Adam Dunn
Center Field Josh Hamilton
Right Field Jay Bruce
No. 1 Starter Homer Bailey
No. 2 Starter Aaron Harang
No. 3 Starter Johnny Cueto
No. 4 Starter Bronson Arroyo
No. 5 Starter Matt Maloney
Closer Josh Roenicke
TOP PROSPECTS
OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Position 2007
1998 Damian Jackson, ss/2b Out of baseball
1999 Rob Bell, rhp Orioles
2000 Gookie Dawkins, ss Phillies
2001 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
2002 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
2003 Chris Gruler, rhp Out of baseball
2004 Ryan Wagner, rhp Nationals
2005 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2006 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2007 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
TOP DRAFT PICKS
OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Position 2007
1998 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
1999 Ty Howington, lhp Out of baseball
2000 David Espinosa, ss Tigers
2001 *Jeremy Sowers, lhp Indians
2002 Chris Gruler, rhp Out of baseball
2003 Ryan Wagner, rhp Nationals
2004 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2005 Jay Bruce, of Reds
2006 Drew Stubbs, of Reds
2007 Devin Mesoraco, c Reds
* Did not sign
LARGEST BONUSES
IN CLUB HISTORY
Chris Gruler, 2002 $2,500,000
Homer Bailey, 2004 $2,300,000
Drew Stubbs, 2006 $2,000,000
Austin Kearns, 1998 $1,950,000
Jay Bruce, 2005 $1,800,000
REDS
LINKS
Reds' Team Page
Reds Top 10 Scouting Reports Premium
Last Year's Reds Top 10 Prospects
2007 Draft: Reds (Basic Database)
2007 Draft: Reds Premium (Advanced Database)
2007 Draft Report Cards: National League Premium
Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects
Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect Handbook
Cincinnati Reds
In hindsight, the Reds' success during the first part of the 2006 season was the worst thing that could have happened to them.
A new ownership group led by Bob Castellini took over in January 2006 and hired Wayne Krivsky as general manager a month later. Krivsky quickly went to work fixing a roster with some clear deficiencies, swinging preseason deals for Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and David Ross. Those moves helped Cincinnati jump to a 17-8 start that put it atop the National League Central at the end of April, and it appeared that Krivsky had a Midas touch for talent acquisition.
The reality was that the hot start was more a matter of luck than any actual improvement. The Reds were tied for first place in the division as late as Aug. 24, but they collapsed in September and have been trying to live up to unrealistic expectations ever since. Cincinnati finished fifth with a 72-90 record in 2007, and the rotation and bullpen are still as problematic as they were when Krivsky arrived.
After 12 years without a playoff appearance, Reds fans are understandably restless for some signs of success. Krivsky is facing discontent even though the team is actually closer to contending for a prolonged period of time than it has been in years. A farm system that has produced very little over the past decade has four top prospects ready to contribute.
Outfielder Jay Bruce became the first Cincinnati prospect to win Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award. He and first baseman Joey Votto should take up residence in the heart of the Reds' batting order in the very near future, while Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto are the organization's best pair of pitching prospects in several decades.
Behind them, Cincinnati has more depth in its system than it has had in recent years especially at third base, in the outfield and in the bullpen.
When the Reds' Fab Four make it to the big leagues, they'll join a club that has succeeded in turning other team's castoffs into solid regulars. Picking up Phillips for righthander Jeff Stevens was a masterstroke, as the young second baseman finally realized his considerable promise with a 30-30 season in 2007.
Cincinnati also poached former No. 1 overall pick Josh Hamilton from the Devil Rays via the major league Rule 5 draft at the 2006 Winter Meetings. Hamilton became one of the stories of the 2007 season with his amazing return from a nearly four-year layoff because of drug suspensions. Another Rule 5 pickup, Jared Burton, has become one of the club's most reliable relievers.
If there's a negative to the resurgence of the Reds system, it's that many of the people involved in the long-awaited turnaround are no longer with the team as Krivsky has put his stamp on the organization.
Johnny Almaraz, who signed Cueto and served as the team's farm director and international scouting director, quit after the 2006 season because he was unhappy with Krivsky. Assistant farm director Grant Griesser, field coordinator Tim Naehring, roving coordinator Rick Burleson, roving hitting instructor Jim Hickman, base-running coordinator Lynn Jones and Double-A Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens all were fired at the end of the 2007 season.
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects Premium (How to subscribe)
www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265231.html
cincinnatiredsbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/11/reds-minor-league-review.html
Cincinnati Reds
By J.J. Cooper
November 21, 2007
E-mail Print
Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2008.
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects Premium (How to subscribe)
Reds Chat Premium
J.J. Cooper at 1:30 p.m. ET Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect Handbook
30 scouting reports on every team
TOP TEN
PROSPECTS
1. Jay Bruce, of
2. Homer Bailey, rhp
3. Joey Votto, 1b/of
4. Johnny Cueto, rhp
5. Drew Stubbs, of
6. Devin Mesoraco, c
7. Todd Frazier, ss
8. Juan Francisco, 3b
9. Josh Roenicke, rhp
10. Matt Maloney, lhp
BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Jay Bruce
Best Power Hitter Jay Bruce
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Paul Janish
Fastest Baserunner Chris Dickerson
Best Athlete Chris Dickerson
Best Fastball Homer Bailey
Best Curveball Homer Bailey
Best Slider Johnny Cueto
Best Changeup Travis Wood
Best Control Johnny Cueto
Best Defensive Catcher Crag Tatum
Best Defensive Infielder Zach Cozart
Best Infield Arm Juan Francisco
Best Defensive Outfielder Drew Stubbs
Best Outfield Arm Cody Strait
PROJECTED 2011
LINEUP
Catcher Devin Mesoraco
First Base Joey Votto
Second Base Brandon Phillips
Third Base Todd Frazier
Shortstop Chris Valaika
Left Field Adam Dunn
Center Field Josh Hamilton
Right Field Jay Bruce
No. 1 Starter Homer Bailey
No. 2 Starter Aaron Harang
No. 3 Starter Johnny Cueto
No. 4 Starter Bronson Arroyo
No. 5 Starter Matt Maloney
Closer Josh Roenicke
TOP PROSPECTS
OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Position 2007
1998 Damian Jackson, ss/2b Out of baseball
1999 Rob Bell, rhp Orioles
2000 Gookie Dawkins, ss Phillies
2001 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
2002 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
2003 Chris Gruler, rhp Out of baseball
2004 Ryan Wagner, rhp Nationals
2005 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2006 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2007 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
TOP DRAFT PICKS
OF THE DECADE
Year Player, Position 2007
1998 Austin Kearns, of Nationals
1999 Ty Howington, lhp Out of baseball
2000 David Espinosa, ss Tigers
2001 *Jeremy Sowers, lhp Indians
2002 Chris Gruler, rhp Out of baseball
2003 Ryan Wagner, rhp Nationals
2004 Homer Bailey, rhp Reds
2005 Jay Bruce, of Reds
2006 Drew Stubbs, of Reds
2007 Devin Mesoraco, c Reds
* Did not sign
LARGEST BONUSES
IN CLUB HISTORY
Chris Gruler, 2002 $2,500,000
Homer Bailey, 2004 $2,300,000
Drew Stubbs, 2006 $2,000,000
Austin Kearns, 1998 $1,950,000
Jay Bruce, 2005 $1,800,000
REDS
LINKS
Reds' Team Page
Reds Top 10 Scouting Reports Premium
Last Year's Reds Top 10 Prospects
2007 Draft: Reds (Basic Database)
2007 Draft: Reds Premium (Advanced Database)
2007 Draft Report Cards: National League Premium
Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects
Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect Handbook
Cincinnati Reds
In hindsight, the Reds' success during the first part of the 2006 season was the worst thing that could have happened to them.
A new ownership group led by Bob Castellini took over in January 2006 and hired Wayne Krivsky as general manager a month later. Krivsky quickly went to work fixing a roster with some clear deficiencies, swinging preseason deals for Bronson Arroyo, Brandon Phillips and David Ross. Those moves helped Cincinnati jump to a 17-8 start that put it atop the National League Central at the end of April, and it appeared that Krivsky had a Midas touch for talent acquisition.
The reality was that the hot start was more a matter of luck than any actual improvement. The Reds were tied for first place in the division as late as Aug. 24, but they collapsed in September and have been trying to live up to unrealistic expectations ever since. Cincinnati finished fifth with a 72-90 record in 2007, and the rotation and bullpen are still as problematic as they were when Krivsky arrived.
After 12 years without a playoff appearance, Reds fans are understandably restless for some signs of success. Krivsky is facing discontent even though the team is actually closer to contending for a prolonged period of time than it has been in years. A farm system that has produced very little over the past decade has four top prospects ready to contribute.
Outfielder Jay Bruce became the first Cincinnati prospect to win Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award. He and first baseman Joey Votto should take up residence in the heart of the Reds' batting order in the very near future, while Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto are the organization's best pair of pitching prospects in several decades.
Behind them, Cincinnati has more depth in its system than it has had in recent years especially at third base, in the outfield and in the bullpen.
When the Reds' Fab Four make it to the big leagues, they'll join a club that has succeeded in turning other team's castoffs into solid regulars. Picking up Phillips for righthander Jeff Stevens was a masterstroke, as the young second baseman finally realized his considerable promise with a 30-30 season in 2007.
Cincinnati also poached former No. 1 overall pick Josh Hamilton from the Devil Rays via the major league Rule 5 draft at the 2006 Winter Meetings. Hamilton became one of the stories of the 2007 season with his amazing return from a nearly four-year layoff because of drug suspensions. Another Rule 5 pickup, Jared Burton, has become one of the club's most reliable relievers.
If there's a negative to the resurgence of the Reds system, it's that many of the people involved in the long-awaited turnaround are no longer with the team as Krivsky has put his stamp on the organization.
Johnny Almaraz, who signed Cueto and served as the team's farm director and international scouting director, quit after the 2006 season because he was unhappy with Krivsky. Assistant farm director Grant Griesser, field coordinator Tim Naehring, roving coordinator Rick Burleson, roving hitting instructor Jim Hickman, base-running coordinator Lynn Jones and Double-A Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens all were fired at the end of the 2007 season.
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects Premium (How to subscribe)
www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265231.html
cincinnatiredsbaseball.blogspot.com/2007/11/reds-minor-league-review.html
