Lisa Winston over at Milb.com got to the Reds preview today as well as the Reds Top 10 prospects to watch in 2010. Here are some of the highlights from each article.
Hitter of the Year — Yonder Alonso, 1B
A fractured hamate bone in his left hand cost the 2008 first-rounder the first two months of the ’09 season, but he hit .303 at Sarasota and then .295 at Carolina when he returned to action. The Reds can’t wait to see what he does in his first full healthy season. He is a polished player out of the University of Miami with power to all fields.Pitcher of the Year — Mike Leake, RHP
Signed at the deadline, the ’09 first-rounder is not a big guy, but what he lacks in size as a power pitcher, he makes up for with savvy and polish and a five-pitch repertoire. He has a good feel for the mound and does all the little things well, such as fielding his position. The Reds love his baseball smarts and command. He was 16-1 with a 1.71 at ASU.
Those are the same picks that I would have made. Easy and logical choices. Alonso is the purest hitter in the system with only floor and ceiling being close to being matched at this point by Todd Frazier. Leake could spend the entire year in the minors and with his polish could put up a very strong season.
Reds top 10 prospects to watch in 2010:
| 2010 | |
|---|---|
| Yonder Alonso, 1B | |
| Aroldis Chapman, LHP | |
| Zack Cozart, SS | |
| Juan Francisco, 3B | |
| Todd Frazier, OF | |
| Billy Hamilton, SS | |
| Chris Heisey, OF | |
| Mike Leake, RHP | |
| Yorman Rodriguez, OF | |
| Travis Wood, LHP |
Mostly good names on there. The most interesting part is that only Yorman Rodriguez and Billy Hamilton appear to be starting lower than AA and its entirely possible that all 8 of the others could start in Louisville.
Jason Stella has an article up on Joseph Krebs over at Batsbaseball.com.
Mark Sheldon believes that Aroldis Chapman is heading to the minors. It is very likely for the best.
Mike Leake and Travis Wood are both scheduled to pitch tomorrow as the Reds have a set of split squad games. Unless Travis Wood pulls a Bronson Arroyo vs Toronto, I think he has to be a lock for the 5th spot due to his 40 man roster spot.
Here is how the prospects performed in Tuesday’s Reds game:
- Juan Francisco went 1-1 with a run and HBP.
- Chris Denove went 1-1 with a HR and 2 RBI.
- Jesus Delgado pitched a hitless inning.
- Justin Freeman pitched a scoreless inning of work.
Here is how some prospects performed in the AAA game:
- Chris Heisey went 1-4 with a HR.
- Yonder Alonso went 3-4 with 2 doubles, a triple and 2 RBI.
- Todd Frazier went 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
- Danny Dorn went 3-4 with a double, HR and 2 RBI.
That team is going to be scary good while they stay together.