We are roughly half way through the 2015 Minor League season, with the first half coming to an end later this week. The Billings Mustangs and Arizona League Reds will begin their respective seasons later this week as well. It seemed like a perfect time to update the Cincinnati Reds Top 25 Prospect List.
To be eligible for the list, a player must be eligible for the 2016 Rookie of the Year Award (fewer than 130 big league at-bats, 50 innings pitched in the big leagues or 45 days on the big league non-September roster). For the purposes of this list, I’m including anyone drafted as eligible, even if they haven’t signed yet. Scouting notes available for subscribers at the bottom of the article. All stats are BEFORE games on Sunday.
1. Robert Stephenson | RHP | Pensacola Blue Wahoos
He’s been inconsistent this season, struggling at times and dominating at times, but he’s certainly taken a step forward this season and has shown things he didn’t really show last year. Previous Rank: 1
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 61.1 | 3.67 | 40 | 4 | 33 | 71 |
2. Jesse Winker | OF | Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Winker has struggled to hit for power this season, but he’s still one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues when projecting forward and the power will come back around. We’re already seeing it here in June and his plate discipline remains outstanding. Previous Rank: 2
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 229 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 33 | .250 | .354 | .362 |
3. Nick Travieso | RHP | Daytona Tortugas
He’s picked up where he left off last season. He’s raised his strikeout rate every year of his career and his walk rate is down for the third straight year. He’s been on a strong run over the last seven starts, posting a 2.65 ERA in 34.0 innings with just seven walks and 34 strikeouts. Previous Rank: 4
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 62.2 | 3.02 | 66 | 3 | 17 | 55 |
4. Yorman Rodriguez | OF | Louisville Bats
After a slow start, Rodriguez has really started turning it around and still shows off tantalizing tools. Just 22-years-old, he’s more than holding his own at the Triple-A level. Previous Rank: 5
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 229 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 56 | .273 | .314 | .426 |
5. Sal Romano | RHP | Daytona Tortugas
The big right hander has allowed just one home run in 57.2 innings pitched this season in Daytona. He’s had some ups and downs, but he’s done nothing to hurt his prospect stock and may have improved it. Previous Rank: 6
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 57.2 | 3.59 | 60 | 1 | 19 | 47 |
6. Amir Garrett | LHP | Daytona Tortugas
The third Daytona starter to crack the list and the first left hander, Garrett has more strikeouts than innings pitched this season and has flashed dominance, including a 12 strikeout game without a walk over seven innings to end May. Previous Rank: 7
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 59.0 | 3.20 | 54 | 1 | 24 | 66 |
7. Raisel Iglesias | RHP | Cincinnati Reds
Iglesias has spent time in the Majors and the Minors this season with mixed results. He’s flashed the ability to be very good, but he’s also had stamina problems at times as well. Previous Rank: 10
| Level | IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| AAA | 21.1 | 3.80 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
| MLB | 24.2 | 5.11 | 27 | 1 | 9 | 25 |
8. Tyler Stephenson | C | Billings Mustangs
The Cincinnati Reds 1st round pick is signed, sealed and will be delivered to Billings to suit up for the Mustangs later this week. He’s got a lot of tools to work with, but he’s yet to face a professional pitch. Previous Rank: Unranked
9. Phillip Ervin | OF | Daytona Tortugas
Ervin got out to a very strong start as he dominated in the month of April. He’s slowed since, but he’s showing more consistent use of his tools that got him drafted in the 1st round of 2013 and much better plate discipline than last year. His stock is certainly up. Previous Rank: 12
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 269 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 29 | 43 | .259 | .343 | .427 |
10. Alex Blandino | SS | Daytona Tortugas
The 2014 1st rounder (29th pick), much like Ervin, got off to a strong start, but has slowed down a little bit since. Still, he’s showing more skills at the plate this season than last year. His plate discipline has been strong all year, but his power hasn’t showed up since April. Previous Rank: 15
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 259 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 27 | 37 | .299 | .380 | .415 |
11. Jon Moscot | RHP | Cincinnati Reds
Moscot became the Reds 1st pick from the 2012 to make it to the Majors. He was strong in Louisville to start the year and now has two big league starts. Moscot was able to top out at 96 MPH in his big league debut. Previous Rank: 16
| Level | IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| AAA | 54.1 | 3.15 | 50 | 5 | 19 | 34 |
| MLB | 11.0 | 4.91 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
12. Aristides Aquino | OF | Dayton Dragons
The toolsy outfielder got out to a real rough start in Dayton, but he played just 16 games before injuring his arm and he hasn’t returned. While he struggled early on, you could still see the tools that led to him being among the top prospects in the Pioneer League the year before. Previous Rank: 13
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 59 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 18 | .226 | .288 | .321 |
13. Kyle Waldrop | OF | Pensacola Blue Wahoos
After a huge season in 2014, Waldrop has taken a step backwards in 2015. He’s still hold his own, but his OPS is down over .100 points. The power is still there, but his plate discipline has taken a step backwards overall, but it’s come around of late. Previous Rank: 14
14. Jonathon Crawford | RHP | Hasn’t played in 2015
After being acquired in the offseason the Alfredo Simon trade, Crawford came to spring training with the big league club and never got a chance to pitch in a game, going down with shoulder tendonitis. He still hasn’t made an appearance, but has thrown in extended spring training. Previous Rank: 17
15. Mark Armstrong | RHP | Dayton Dragons
One of the biggest jumps comes from Armstrong, who is currently on the disabled list with an elbow injury, but is expected to return in a few weeks. He’s posted a 2.86 ERA over 11 starts for Dayton and has shown good control and stuff. Previous Rank: 37
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 56.2 | 2.86 | 58 | 1 | 14 | 42 |
16. Tyler Mahle | RHP | Dayton Dragons
Mahle is another guy who has jumped up the list in a big way. His stuff has taken a step forward and he’s shown outstanding control, walking just 11 batters with 70 strikeouts in 74.0 innings. Previous Rank: 38
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 74.0 | 3.16 | 73 | 6 | 11 | 70 |
17. Junior Arias | OF | Daytona Tortugas
Arias missed most of 2014 after a leg injury in April and he’s back in Advanced-A where he’s again flashing big tools, but still struggling with his plate discipline. Previous Rank: 20
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 152 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 38 | .269 | .303 | .414 |
18. Tejay Antone | RHP | Dayton Dragons
A third Dayton Dragons starter jumps up the list and is the first guy from outside of the Top 40 to jump into the Top 25. Antone has yet to allow a home run in 68.2 innings and has a 2.75 ERA. Previous Rank: NR
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 68.2 | 2.75 | 75 | 0 | 12 | 52 |
19. Nick Howard | RHP | Daytona Tortugas
The Reds 2014 1st rounder has had a lot of struggles and has been temporarily moved to the bullpen to try and overcome his struggles with control. He’s walked 33 batters with 24 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. The stuff is still there, but he’s been a mess this season. Previous Rank: 9
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 30.2 | 6.46 | 31 | 0 | 33 | 24 |
20. Gavin LaValley | 3B | Dayton Dragons
It was looking like LaValley was overmatched for the first half of the first half, but he’s really turned things around lately and is showing the hitting ability we saw in 2014. Previous Rank: 24
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 237 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 63 | .267 | .342 | .357 |
21. Wyatt Strahan | RHP | Dayton Dragons
Another Dragons starter that made the list. His walk rate could be improved, but outside of that he’s been strong across the board. He’s posted a 2.90 ERA over 62.0 innings. Previous Rank: 28
| IP | ERA | H | HR | BB | K |
| 62.0 | 2.90 | 63 | 2 | 28 | 52 |
22. Luis Gonzalez | SS | Dayton Dragons
Injuries probably opened up a spot in Dayton to begin the season and Gonzalez initially struggled, but he’s hit much better since May rolled around. Plate discipline is still an issue for him. Defensively, he’s been inconsisten. Previous Rank: NR
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 256 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 45 | .272 | .294 | .347 |
23. Sebastian Elizalde | OF | Daytona Tortugas
The second year in the United States has gone well for Elizalde in the Florida State League. He leads the league in RBI and has 27 extra-base hits for Daytona. Previous Rank: 26
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 263 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 55 | .268 | .319 | .435 |
24. Seth Mejias-Brean | 3B | Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Mejias-Brean just came off of the disabled list, and he may not play in the field for a few weeks because of a shoulder injury. At the plate he shows strong plate discipline and he shows good power potential, but he’s struggled to find it consistently in games. Defensively he still shows strong skills at third base. Previous Rank: 19
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 193 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 35 | .259 | .373 | .340 |
25. Carlton Daal | SS/2B | Daytona Tortugas
Daal has been playing second base in favor of Alex Blandino, but he’s got a future at shortstop defensively. He’s struggled to hit for some power in the Florida State League and his plate discipline could be improved. Previous Rank: 21
| PA | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 201 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 35 | .254 | .291 | .260 |
Players that graduated: Right Handed Pitcher Michael Lorenzen and Catcher Tucker Barnhart.
Scouting Notes
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| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 1 | Robert Stephenson (RHP) | 1 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He’s been working on several things this season, including mixing up his fastball velocity which has ranged from 91-99 MPH this year. At times he’s looked better than I’ve ever seen before. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 2 | Jesse Winker (OF) | 2 | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| His power, or lack of it, has been due to a high groundball rate. In June he’s nearly cut the rate of grounders in half and his power has improved. It’s only been two weeks, but it’s a step in the right direction. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 3 | Nick Travieso (RHP) | 4 | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| An improved change up and usage of the change up has helped him attack batters with another weapon he wasn’t consistently able to in 2014. His velocity is where it was last season. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 4 | Yorman Rodriguez (OF) | 5 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| The plate discipline needs to be improved, but he understands the zone better than his low walk rate suggests. His pulling of the ball more should help improve his power output moving forward. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 5 | Sal Romano (RHP) | 6 | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| While he’s battled some consistency, he’s held his own. The big jump for Romano came in a recent start where he was sitting in the mid-to-upper 90’s. It was just one start, but he’d never done that before. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 6 | Amir Garrett (LHP) | 7 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Much like Romano, Garrett has watched his velocity step forward. He’s sitting a MPH or two higher than last year and topped out at 98 MPH this season. He will need to lower his walk rate. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 7 | Raisel Iglesias (RHP) | 10 | 25 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Stuff isn’t the question for Igleisas, though we haven’t seen the velocity that he showed in spring training out of the bullpen when he has been starting. Questions about his stamina remain. Can he just not handle it or is he still building up after missing time after leaving Cuba? | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 8 | Tyler Stephenson (C) | NR | 18 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Power. That’s the word that describes the tools Stephenson brings. He’s got big power potential at the plate. He’s got a powerful arm behind the plate. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 9 | Phillip Ervin (OF) | 12 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| The wrist seems healthy as he’s hit for a good amount of power. All of the tools that made him a 1st round pick are showing up more consistently these days. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 10 | Alex Blandino (SS) | 15 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He’d rank a few spots higher if he could stick at shortstop, but no one outside of the Reds organization seems to think that is going to happen. If he can handle second base he keeps a lot of value, but if he has to slide to third some of that value disappears. Improvements in plate discipline after some struggles in Dayton are good to see. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 11 | Jon Moscot (RHP) | 16 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| While he’s not flashy, Moscot just continues to get things done by mixing four pitches and throwing strikes. Topping out at 96 MPH in his debut showed something new, and while it’s not something to expect often, knowing it’s there if needed doesn’t hurt. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 12 | Aristides Aquino (OF) | 13 | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Nothing has really changed for Aquino given that he hasn’t played much due to injury. In the brief time he was playing, the tools were apparent, but so was the fact that he’s still raw in pitch recognition. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 13 | Kyle Waldrop (OF) | 14 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| The power will play at the big league level, and he should be able to handle right handed pitching. The struggles against lefties may limit him to a platoon player though. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 14 | Jonathon Crawford (RHP) | 17 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He’s been injured all year, but reports from Arizona on his rehab sound like the same guy he was last season. There’s a chance to start, though I’m not completely sold, but as a reliever he could be a back-end bullpen guy. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 15 | Mark Armstrong (RHP) | 37 | 20 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He sits in the low 90’s and has a nice looking curveball. He can throw strikes and may have some additional velocity in the future. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 16 | Tyler Mahle (RHP) | 38 | 20 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He averages about 90 MPH, but can reach back for 94 if he really needs it. The curveball can be inconsistent, but it’s a good one when it’s on. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 17 | Junior Arias (OF) | 20 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Plus-plus speed and average power from a true center fielder is a package every team would love to have. Arias brings that to the table, but his plate discipline may hold him back offensively and make him a 4th outfielder in the long run. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 18 | Tejay Antone (RHP) | NR | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| A big increase in groundballs, a lowered walk rate and more strikeouts has turned Antone into a strong starting prospect. He’s been up to 95 MPH and shows three other offerings he can throw for strikes. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 19 | Nick Howard (RHP) | 9 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| The biggest fall on the list comes from the 1st rounder from last year. Howard’s battles with control are both mechanical and mental at this point. The stuff is there, but his battle with his arm slot and how he responds when he loses it aren’t good signs. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 20 | Gavin LaValley (3B) | 24 | 20 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| LaValley has slimmed down over the last year since being drafted and has even dropped some more weight during the season. His power is down and it could be a result of the weight loss, but he’s showing adjustments and turning things around. Finding the power again will be key offensively. He’s also shown improvements in the field during 2015. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 21 | Wyatt Strahan (RHP) | 28 | 22 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| The stuff isn’t in question, but whether he can throw enough strikes to remain a starter is. His fastball command needs plenty of work. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 22 | Luis Gonzalez (SS) | NR | 20 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Defensivley he stands out with his range and his arm, both show plus when it’s needed. The bat will flash skills, but he needs to work on controlling the strikezone better. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 23 | Sebastian Elizalde (OF) | 26 | 23 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Elizalde isn’t flashy in any one area, but he’s solid across the board. He may be a bit of a tweener in terms of a possible starter or a 4th outfielder, but the floor seems high. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 24 | Seth Mejias-Brean (3B) | 19 | 24 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| Mejias-Brean has the raw tools to be a future starting third baseman, but he’s going to need to start getting more out of his power if that’s going to happen. | |||
| Rank | Player | Previous | Age |
| 25 | Carlton Daal (SS) | 21 | 21 |
| Scouting Notes | |||
| He’s got the defense to stick at shortstop long term, even if he’s playing second base right now. There’s more power in his bat than he’s shown thus far, but he’s going to have to start showing it to be more than just a good glove. | |||
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