Today we step into the top half of the rankings and I also changed up the format as I have had more than a few requests to start at the higher number and work the way down.
20. Daniel Tuttle – Right Handed Pitcher
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 5th round in the 2009 Draft.
The Good: Tuttle throws a fastball in the 89-91 MPH range and got as high as 94 MPH this season in the GCL. Has also hit 97 while in high school. Tuttle also throws a curve and a change up. Posted strong numbers in his GCL Debut.
Needs to work on: As an 18 year old pitcher he needs experience first and foremost. Tuttle coming out of high school had an inconsistent release point and needed to improve his secondary pitches. Both things should come with experience though.
19. Miguel Rojas – Shortstop
Background: Signed by the Reds as an international free agent in November 2005.
The Good: Rojas is a legit shortstop with an above average glove and arm who was rated as the Midwest Leagues Best Defensive Shortstop by Baseball America. Has good plate discipline as seen by a 6.6% walk rate and 8.3% strikeout rate.
Needs to work on: Power is the biggest concern for Rojas. While he will never hit for much power if he could add a little muscle and hit for a little extra power it would go a long way to helping his overall game. A scout I spoke with thinks he needs to adjust his swing, he doesn’t like how his hands are set and doesn’t believe he will be able to hit as he moves up with them like that. I am not as sure about that as he is.
18. J.C. Sulbaran – Right Handed Pitcher
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 30th round of the 2008 draft.
The Good: Sulbaran has a solid fastball that has been in the 88-92 MPH range in the past to go along with a good curveball and a change up. Sulbaran also has experience on the international scene as part of the Netherlands National team. Had a high strikeout rate in Dayton.
Needs to work on: Consistency was a big problem for Sulbaran. When he was on, he was very good. But when he wasn’t, he was very bad. Sulbaran also worked more in the 86-90 MPH range most of the season.
17. Josh Fellhauer – Outfield
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 7th round in 2009 out of Cal-State Fullerton.
The Good: Fellhauer has a strong approach at the plate as well as solid pop in his bat for an up the middle player. Has a short swing that could develop 15 HR power in the future.
Needs to work on: Just continuing to do what he has done as he moves up the ladder. Fellhauer has a very well rounded skillset without any plus tools but he has a bunch of solid ones.
16. Donnie Joseph – Left Handed Reliever
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round of the 2009 Draft.
The Good: Low 90’s fastball with good movement from a lefty. Throws a good slider in the low 80’s. Struck out 31.1% of the batters he faced this year.
Needs to work on: After a college season and time in the minors Joseph seemed to lose a bit of his stuff toward the end of the year. A strong season next year would go a long way to showing he has the stamina to go the full season.
15. Chris Valaika – Shorstop/Second Base
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round of the 2006 Draft.
The Good: Valaika has consistently hit for a strong average and has had solid pop in his bat since being drafted.
Needs to work on: Valaika struggled before breaking his hand hitting a water cooler, showing that he is back in 2010 would go a long way. He could also take a few more walks as he has always been on the low end of the spectrum in that regard.
14. Devin Mesoraco – Catcher
Background: Drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 Draft by the Reds.
The Good: Mesoraco’s biggest question was hit defense and he absolutely answered those questions this season as he threw out over 48% of the attempted base runners who tried to steal against him from Mid May on. Mesoraco showed strong peripherals while in the Florida State League.
Needs to work on: While the peripherals were good on offense, the results didn’t show up in the slash lines for Mesoraco. Continuing the approach next season should begin to turn the stats around. Showing continued strong defense will also quiet the questions on his game.
13. Neftali Soto – Third Base
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round of the 2007 Draft out of Puerto Rico.
The Good: Soto has above average raw power in his bat and good contact skills at the plate. His peripherals were solid for a 20 year old in the Florida State League and prior to this season has been an offensive force.
Needs to work on: Getting out of the Florida State League could bring some of the power back, but showing a little more than he did in 2009 will get him back on the right track. Soto could also up his walk rate some, as it is lower than you would normally like to see.
12. Matt Maloney – Left Handed Pitcher
Background: Acquired by the Reds in a trade in July 2007. Was drafted by the Phillies in the 3rd round of the 2005 Draft.
The Good: Maloney has had good results at every stop along the way in the minor leagues. He is a tall lefty with 4 pitches that are all average or better. Doesn’t walk hardly anyone and throws lots of strikes.
Needs to work on: Maloney has had some struggles in his limited time in the Majors. He added a few wrinkles to his arsenal and had good results in his final few starts with the Reds, proving they weren’t just random would solidify his status as a legit Major Leaguer.
11. Matt Klinker – Right Handed Pitcher
Background: Drafted by the Reds in the 15th round of the 2007 Draft. Also one of Redleg Nation’s Spotlight Players.
The Good: Klinker had outstanding results in 2009 across three levels, finishing in AAA Louisville. His fastball is in the low 90’s and touches 94 MPH. Klinker also throws an above average curveball.
Needs to work on: Finished the season on the disabled list, but its not thought to be anything serious. It was his second stint on the DL in ’09 though, so coming back next season and picking things up would be good to see. Klinker also saw his walk rate go up with each promotion, lowering it down a little next season would certainly help.
Tomorrow is the final day and then of course there will be the big chat on Friday. I will try to answer as many questions as possible in the comments section, but be sure to stop in on Friday for the chat too.