Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects

看板Reds作者abc12812時間16年前 (2009/01/24 13:30)推噓3(3推 0噓 0→)

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http://tinyurl.com/cw3hox TOP TEN PROSPECTS 1. Yonder Alonso, 1b 2. Todd Frazier, ss/1b/3b 3. Drew Stubbs, of 4. Chris Valaika, ss 5. Yorman Rodriguez, of 6. Kyle Lotzkar, rhp 7. Neftali Soto, 3b 8. Juan Francisco, 3b 9. Juan Duran, of 10. Devin Mesoraco, c BEST TOOLS Best Hitter for Average Yonder Alonso Best Power Hitter Juan Francisco Best Strike-Zone Discipline Yonder Alonso Fastest Baserunner Theodis Bowe Best Athlete Yorman Rodriguez Best Fastball Josh Roenicke Best Curveball Kyle Lotzkar Best Slider Jordan Smith Best Changeup Ramon Ramirez Best Control Robert Manuel Best Defensive Catcher Ryan Hannigan Best Defensive Infielder Zach Cozart Best Infield Arm Juan Francisco Best Defensive Outfielder Drew Stubbs Best Outfield Arm Yorman Rodriguez =============================================================================== The minute Walt Jocketty was added as a special adviser to Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini in early 2008, the running assumption was that the former Cardinals general manager eventually would take over the same job in Cincinnati. What was surprising was how quickly that happened. Just 21 games into the season, Castellini pulled the trigger, firing Wayne Krivsky and turning the franchise over to Jocketty, who had won six division titles, two National League pennants and a World Series title in St. Louis. Krivsky could argue that he got dumped just when some of his handiwork was starting to pay off. The Reds were a disappointing 9-12, but rookie Johnny Cueto had turned in three quality starts in four outings, an auspicious beginning for a team that had spent nearly a decade trying to produce a homegrown starting pitcher. Edinson Volquez, acquired by Krivsky in an offseason trade for Josh Hamilton, had allowed three runs in four starts. He finished the season with a 3.21 ERA —the best by a Cincinnati starter since Elmer Dessens in 2002. Joey Votto had taken over at first base and Jay Bruce could have done the same in right field but had to wait until late May for a callup. The Reds finished the year at 74-88, a two-win improvement over 2007 but their eighth consecutive losing season and their 13th straight without reaching the playoffs. Jocketty traded away pending free agents Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., who had been the cornerstones of the team for much of the decade. The youth movement continued with center fielder Chris Dickerson and catcher Ryan Hanigan making cases for everyday jobs by playing regularly and playing well down the stretch. For a club that spent the early part of the decade getting little or no help from the farm, it was an encouraging sign. Partly in recognition of the system's success, Jocketty retained Krivsky's farm director, Terry Reynolds, and scouting director, Chris Buckley. Cincinnati is in limbo as it prepares for 2009. On one hand, the development of Bruce, Cueto, Volquez and Votto gives the Reds a solid young nucleus to build around. But on the other hand, their offense ranked 12th and their pitching staff 13th in the National League last year. Any significant improvements will have to come from within than from player acquisitions, as they're unlikely to make a big splash like Krivsky did the previous offseason when he signed Francisco Cordero to a $46 million contract. One thing that would help is if righthander Homer Bailey made good on his potential. The seventh overall pick in 2004 has been bombed in five big league stints over the past two years, and his stuff, command and confidence all went backward last season. The Reds reportedly have shopped him to other clubs, something that would have been unthinkable a year ago. The farm system won't be able to produce as much quality in 2009 as it did last year, when Bruce, Bailey, Votto and Cueto graduated to the majors from the first four spots on this list. But their Triple-A Louisville and Double-A Carolina affiliates should be stocked with potential big league contributors, giving the Reds improved depth if injuries crop up during the season. -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.112.5.3