Cincinnati Reds Top 50 Prospects (February 2017)

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Overall outlook:

Plenty of new information has come out in the past month which helped to shape the Reds Top 50 in a different way.

The Good

Nick Senzel has moved up to Tier 1 as he is viewed as a top 30 prospect throughout the world of baseball now.

The Reds made a trade with the Miami Marlins which included Luis Castillo and Austin Brice who are now on the Reds Top 50 list.

Michael Beltre enters the list with a solid season last year and could be a breakout star in the making, if he can continue to develop.

The Bad

Robert Stephenson has dropped on all top 100 lists. The fact that his manager in Louisville last year, Delino DeShields, called him out for his control issues, really seems to be affecting his prospect status with scouts.

The Ugly

Cody Reed was left off of a few people’s lists this year. He only needs a handful of innings to lose his prospect status, but his ERA from last season has caused the buzz on him to die. At least he was probably already on deeper fantasy league rosters after last season.

Tier 1

1. Nick Senzel, 3B
DOB 06/29/1995
Known for his OBP and feel of the strike zone, Senzel has great plate discipline. His ceiling may not be great, but he was as close to a sure thing as there was in the 2016 draft.

Tier 2

2. Amir Garrett, SP
DOB 05/03/1992
The Reds took a chance on Garrett, a former collegiate basketball player at St. Johns University. Taken in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft, he was given a million dollar signing bonus to lure him to baseball. It seems to have paid off as the LHP is in line to be a solid addition to the rotation within the next year.

3. Jesse Winker, OF
DOB 8/17/1993
Winker never fully recovered from a wrist injury last year, which zapped his power as he failed to hit many long balls. His plate discipline has not failed him though as he’s averaged a 1:1 K/BB ratio over the last 463 plate appearances.

4. Robert Stephenson, SP
DOB 2/24/1993
Control. Stephenson has a plus fastball, but his secondary pitch, a 78-80 MPH curveball is inconsistent at best. He still holds a high ceiling, but patience is wearing thin within the organization and from MLB scouts in general.

5. Luis Castillo, SP
DOB 12/12/1992

Finished 2016 with his best ERA since 2013 in Rookie Ball. The centerpiece of a trade for Dan Straily and he looks to start in Double A this season, but could progress to the big club by the end of the year.

Tier 3

6. Vladimir Gutierrez, SP
DOB 9/18/1995
The best prospect the Reds signed last year off of the international market. During his last season in Cuba(2014) he had an impressive 23.4% strikeout rate.

7. Tyler Mahle, SP
DOB 09/29/1994
Pitched a no hitter last year for High-A Daytona. Has plus control and a mid 90’s fastball with a decent curve.

8. Taylor Trammell, OF
DOB 09/13/1997
Potential superstar with double plus speed and plus bat speed. Natural athlete but will need good development to become all around baseball player.

9. Nick Travieso, SP
DOB 01/31/1994
Travieso has been consistent throughout his career and projects well to make it as a starter at the next level. He has a live fastball, nearly great slider, and a workable change up.

10. Tony Santillan, SP
DOB 04/15/1997
Currently a starting pitcher, Tony could end up as a closer by the time he reaches the show. He lacks a third pitch, but when he has control it may not matter due to his electric fastball and nicely spun curve.

11. Aristides Aquino, OF
DOB 04/22/1994
Aquino was signed as a 16 year old Latin prospect. It’s taken him awhile to break out, but last year he did that with 23 homeruns in the big ballparks and high humidity of the Florida State League. If he can shrink his strike zone being slightly less aggressive he could be a monster MLB RF prospect very soon.

12. Chris Okey, C
DOB 12/29/1994
Okey is a good all-around catcher. While his numbers don’t thrill scouts, he looks like he’ll be able to stay behind the plate for a long career. Expect around a .250 avg, with some power and decent OBP. The one thing he lacks is a weakness, which is a good thing.

13. Tyler Stephenson, C
DOB 08/16/1996
2016 was hard for Stephenson who had 2 major stints on the DL. He is still young and very raw, it’s a legitimate concern that he won’t last at catcher but if he does he could be valuable in 3 to 4 years.

14. Sal Romano, SP
DOB 10/12/1993
Last year was a tale of two halves for Romano. His stat line the first half was 4.93 ERA with hitters at .313/.352/.445 slash line. Over his final 15 starts he was 2.49 ERA while only issuing 16 walks in 90.1 innings.

15. Alfredo Rodriguez, SS
DOB 06/17/1994
Rodriguez plus defense and plus speed will allow him to get to the MLB level. The question is can he hit? As of right now, I’m not sold on it and eager to see him make his professional debut in the states.

Tier 4

16. Keury Mella, SP
DOB 08/02/1993
2016 was a huge step backwards for the former Giants prospect. His control and strike rate both were not as good as previous years.

17. Phillip Ervin, OF
DOB 07/15/1992
Ervin only managed a .239 average in 2016, but all of his other stats say he still has major league potential. His 65/88 BB/K ratio shows promise while his .362 OBP and 36 SB total make him a well-rounded player.

18. TJ Friedl, OF
DOB 08/14/1995
Friedl was undrafted in 2016 as teams didn’t realize he was draft eligible. Signed as an undrafted free agent and while only playing 5 weeks of pro ball, made his presence felt. Friedl likens himself to Lenny Dykstra and with a .347/.423/.545 slash line, maybe he’s right?

19. Ian Kahaloa, SP
DOB 10/03/1997
Only 18 years old this past season, Kahaloa pounded the strike zone. His 2.93 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 52 innings is impressive, especially for a kid of his age.

20. Austin Brice, RP
DOB 06/19/1992
Austin got his first taste of the show last year as a member of the Miami Marlins. He shows potential as he keeps opposing batters to a low batting average, but he’s not going to be a closer soon.

21. Rookie Davis, SP
DOB 04/29/1993
At 6’5″ 245 pounds, Davis has the size of a big league pitcher. Unfortunately he doesn’t strike a lot of people out (5.44 K/9) and he’s a fly ball pitcher, which won’t play well in Great American Ball Park. Perhaps a switch to the bullpen will be in order.

22. Alex Blandino, 2B
DOB 11/06/1992
The Reds have recently acquired several middle infielders and Blandino seems to be a man forgotten. His low batting average, high strikeouts, and lack of a true position may be the reason.

23. Jimmy Herget, RP
DOB 09/09/1993
Herget had a breakout year, confusing Florida State League hitters and racking up 24 saves. A potential future reliever he managed a 1.78 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 60.2 innings.

24. Blake Trahan, SS
DOB 09/05/1993
Trahan impressed last year at Spring Training. It didn’t help his season though, as he put up average numbers that stopped him from fast tracking up the ladder.

25. Shed Long, 2B
DOB 08/22/1995
Winner of the Reds Minor League Hitter of the Year award, Shed has been on fire the last year and a half. He did have surgery on his hamate bone (wrist) this off season, but his stock is rising and he is one to watch this year.

26. Alejandro Chacin, RP
DOB 06/24/1993
A Southern League All-Star currently dominating in Venezuela with a spring training invite. If he impresses there he could realistically start the season on the big league club.

27. Zack Weiss, RP
DOB 06/16/1992
In 2015 was the top reliever in the Reds system. Unfortunately he missed the entire 2016 season due to an injury in his elbow. He did avoid surgery and if healthy and returning to form, could be on the fast track to the big leagues.

28. Max Wotell, SP
DOB 09/13/1996
Acquired via the Jay Bruce trade, Wotell is very unorthodox. His slider is his best offering but could be dangerous if he gets better control and maybe moves to the pen.

29. Ariel Hernandez, RP
DOB 03/02/1992
High velocity, maybe best curveball in all of baseball, but walks way too many hitters.

30. Calten Daal, SS
DOB 08/01/1993
Daal lost most of 2016 to injury, but managed to hit well when playing. Selected as a potential breakout star last year, he’ll get his chance to come back strong in 2017.

31. Ismael Guillon, SP/RP
DOB 02/13/1992
Had a dominant 2016 but still hasn’t played in the upper minor leagues.

32. Eric Jagielo, 3B
DOB 05/17/1992
A former Yankees first round draft pick had a bad 2016 with a .205 average in double A. Jagielo has his issues of a high strikeout rate and poor defense. He needs to turn things around this year or he’ll be gone.

33. Michael Beltre, OF
DOB 07/03/1995
He had 3 years of rookie ball, but is still only 21 years old. His average and OPS show promise and he is a player to watch on the rise within the organization.

34. Cody Reed, SP
DOB 04/15/1993
Cody’s first half season in the MLB was hard to watch. A high ERA of 7.36 has knocked him down the list. He still owns a mid-90’s fastball and a plus plus slider, plus he gets the bonus of being a LHP.

35. Taylor Sparks, 3B
DOB 04/03/1993
A good defender, but not sure his bat will get him where he needs to be.

36. Ty Boyles, SP
DOB 09/30/1995
Boyles had a decent 2015 followed up by an average 2016.

37. Ryan Hendrix, RP
DOB 12/16/1994
Drafted in the 5th round out of Texas A&M, high velocity out of the pen.

38. Zac Correll, RP
DOB 01/28/1996
Young with a good strikeout rate and lots of promise.

39. Gavin Lavalley, 1B
DOB 12/28/1994
Switched from 3B to 1B last year, solid average hitter.

40. Sarkis Ohanian, RP
DOB 08/06/1993
Former Duke Pitcher went winless in 2016 but had a solid ERA with some of the best K/9, WHIP, and OPP AVG in the Reds organization.

41. Tony Renda, 2B
DOB 01/24/1991
Still technically a prospect he did make his MLB debut in 2016 and projects as a utility infielder.

42. Sandy Lugo, RP
DOB 03/26/1994
His 12.9 K/9 was the second best in the Midwest League.

Tier 5

43. Alex Powers, RP
DOB 02/26/1992
Went 9-0 this year with good numbers.

44. Jackson Stephens, SP
DOB 05/11/1994
Added to the Reds 40 man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

45. Scott Moss, SP
DOB 10/06/1994
High ceiling with a big frame, only pitched 24 innings in college after 2 surgeries.

46. Barrett Astin, RP
DOB 10/22/1991
Arizona Fall League All-Star, added to 40 man roster, 2.26 ERA in 2016.

47. Tanner Rainey, SP
DOB 12/25/1992
In his first full pro season Rainey had a high ERA of 5.57. He issues a lot of walks, but he does strike out plenty of hitters.

48. James Vasquez, 1B
DOB 11/08/1992
In 2015 almost hit for the AZL triple crown, struggled in 2016.

49. Andrew Jordan, SP
DOB 08/03/1997
Drafted in 2015, looks effortless with 3 pitch approach.

50. Nolan Becker, RP
DOB 06/13/1991
Has put up 3 decent years in a row in middle relief.

Jeff Manning

Lover of baseball analytics. Baseball card, ticket stub, and memorabilia collector. Cincinnati Reds Season Ticket Member. MLB Passport and MiLB Passport carrier.