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1. Devin Mesoraco – C – Pre 2011 rank: 2
I doubt this ranking surprises anyone. Mesoraco is very likely a unanimous Reds top prospect regardless of who you ask. He is a catcher who profiles to be a middle of the order hitter. He has an above average arm, solid catching skills, good athleticism, above average power and a strong hit tool. Oh, and he is hitting .303/.378/.510 in AAA. ETA: Late 2011
2. Yasmani Grandal – C – Pre 2011 rank: 6
Grandal has come out and been more than I expected. I knew he was polished, but he seems to be more polished than I had expected. Behind the plate, like Mesoraco he has solid catching skills and good athleticism. His arm is average to fringe above average. His bat profiles to be top end at the catcher position. ETA: 2013
3. Daniel Corcino – RHP – Pre 2011 rank: 25
Corcino is the biggest riser on the list, jumping up 22 spots. The Johnny Cueto comparisons came to fruition this season, when Corcino saw his control come around after mediocre control as a teenager. His plus fastball and plus breaking ball lead his three pitch arsenal. He has been flat out dominant this season for the Dayton Dragons posting a 3.12 ERA with 17 walks and 96 strikeouts in 83.2 innings pitched. ETA: Late 2013
4. Yonder Alonso – 1B/LF – Pre 2011 rank: 3
The first baseman/left fielder is about as Major League ready as anyone in the minor leagues right now. He combines a strong plate approach with solid power that should actually get a boost by coming to the Majors thanks to the large park in Louisville. Blocked by Joey Votto at first base, Alonso may spend most of the season in the minors before a September call up. ETA: Unknown because of the Votto effect. In terms of readiness, today.
5. Yorman Rodriguez – OF – Pre 2011 rank: 4
Rodriguez hasn’t had a strong season to this point, hitting just .247/.308/.378. However he is also one of the youngest players in the league, which excuses some of the performance issues. From a tools standpoint, he is among the strongest in the system. His bat and power both could be above average one day. His speed is above average as is his throwing arm. There is a lot of dreaming on the tools with this ranking, but when I watch him he just stands out with his bat speed compared to other guys in the league. ETA: 2015
6. Dave Sappelt – OF – Pre 2011 rank: 10
The more I watch Dave Sappelt, the more I am impressed by his bat. His swing is short, but powerful. Sappelt is short, but he is a strong guy who has 15-20 HR power in the Majors. He has a strong approach at the plate and makes a high rate of contact. Defensively, he has plus range at any of the spots you put him at, but his arm is a little below average. ETA: 2012
7. Billy Hamilton – SS – Pre 2011 rank: 5
Billy Hamilton can do some special things on the baseball field. Defensively he makes plays that only a handful of guys around can make. On the base paths there may not be anyone faster in all of baseball. The problem however lies at the plate. Hamilton is still very raw at the plate, from both sides. Depending on when you see him, you will come away thinking that he is overmatched or that he is easily the best player on the field. He will flash the potential from both sides with the bat, but for now they remain a rare flash of potential. ETA: 2015
8. Zack Cozart – SS – Pre 2011 rank: 11
Cozart certainly improved on his 2010 campaign at Louisville, raising his average, on-base percentage and slugging dramatically in 2011 before finally earning a promotion to Cincinnati last week. From a tools standpoint, Cozart has above average power, speed and defense. His hit tool is probably fringe average, but he has a good contact rate and a solid plate approach. ETA: Now
9. Todd Frazier – 3B/LF – Pre 2011 rank: 7
Frazier may ultimately wind up as a utility player who plays 4 times a week all over the field, but I still think that he is the best internal solution to the Reds 3B situation even if the Reds don’t just yet. He has above average power and defensively he can play both third base and left field just fine at the Major League level today. His power will be the calling card at the plate, but his solid plate approach will keep the rest of his offensive numbers acceptable. ETA: 2012
10. Juan Francisco – 3B – Pre 2011 rank: 8
The story seems to be the same with Francisco as it has been for the last few seasons. He has monstrous power and a very poor plate approach with question marks defensively. His 7 walks to 42 strikeouts is a glaring weakness on his resume, but it is hard to argue with the amount of raw power he has. Watching him, I contend that his approach isn’t as bad as his K/BB ratio suggests, but he does have several steps forward to take in that regard before he will be truly ready to be an every day Major League hitter. Defensively, his range is below average, but he does have a plus arm at third base. ETA: Mid 2012-2013.