The Cincinnati Reds organization has openly stated they’re in a rebuilding phase. They’ve had the second worst record in baseball each of the last 2 years. This has allowed for one good draft and the stock piling of near-ready MLB prospects. While they’ve chosen to go near-MLB ready instead of high ceiling, which isn’t as exciting, it has moved them up the rankings in overall farm system quality.<\/p>\n
<\/br>Tier 1<\/strong> 2. Amir Garrett,\u00a0LHP 3. Jesse Winker, OF 4. Cody Reed,\u00a0LHP<\/strong> 5. Robert Stephenson, RHP 7. Tyler Mahle,\u00a0RHP 8. Taylor Trammell, OF 9. Nick Travieso,\u00a0RHP 10. Tony Santillan,\u00a0RHP 11. Chris Okey, C 12. Tyler Stephenson, C 13. Aristides Aquino, OF 14. Alfredo Rodriguez, SS 15. Sal Romano,\u00a0RHP 17. Phillip Ervin, OF 18. TJ Friedl, OF 19. Ian Kahaloa,\u00a0RHP 20. Rookie Davis,\u00a0RHP 21. Alex Blandino, 2B 22. Jimmy Herget,\u00a0RHP 23. Blake Trahan, SS 24. Max Wotell,\u00a0RHP 25. Alejandro Chacin,\u00a0RHP 26. Eric Jagielo, 3B 27. Calten Daal, SS 28. Shed Long, 2B 29. Zack Weiss,\u00a0RHP 30. Tanner Rainey, SP 31. Taylor Sparks, 3B 32. Ariel Hernandez, RHP 33. Ismael Guillon,\u00a0LHP 34. Ty Boyles,\u00a0LHP 35. Zac Correll, RHP 36. Gavin Lavalley, 1B 37. Sarkis Ohanian, RHP 38. Ryan Hendrix, RHP 39. Tony Renda, 2B 40. Sandy Lugo, RHP
\nNone
\n
\nTier 2
\n<\/strong>1. Nick Senzel<\/a>, 3B
\n<\/strong>DOB: 06\/29\/1995
\nKnown 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.<\/div>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 05\/03\/1992
\nThe Reds<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/17\/1993
\nWinker 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.<\/p>\n
\nDOB: 04\/15\/1993
\nCody’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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 02\/24\/1993
\nControl. 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.<\/p>\n
\nTier 3
\n<\/strong>6. Vladimir Gutierrez,\u00a0RHP
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/18\/1995
\nThe best prospect the Reds<\/a> signed last year off of the international market. During his last season in Cuba(2014) he had an impressive 23.4% strikeout rate.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/29\/1994
\nPitched a no hitter last year for High-A Daytona. Has plus control and a mid 90’s fastball with a decent curve.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/13\/1997
\nPotential superstar with double plus speed and plus bat speed. Natural athlete but will need good development to become all around baseball player.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 01\/31\/1994
\nTravieso 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 04\/15\/1997
\nCurrently 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 12\/29\/1994
\nOkey 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/16\/1996
\n2016 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 04\/22\/1994
\nAquino 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 06\/17\/1994
\nRodriguez 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 10\/12\/1993
\nLast 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.<\/p>\n
\nTier 4
\n<\/strong>16. Keury Mella,\u00a0RHP
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/02\/1993
\n2016 was a huge step backwards for the former Giants<\/a> prospect. His control and strike rate both were not as good as previous years.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 07\/15\/1992
\nErvin 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/14\/1995
\nFriedl 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?<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 10\/03\/1997
\nOnly 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 04\/29\/1993
\nAt 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 11\/06\/1992
\nThe Reds<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/09\/1993
\nHerget 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/05\/1993
\nTrahan 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/13\/1996
\nAcquired 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 06\/24\/1993
\nA 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 05\/17\/1992
\nA former Yankees<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/01\/1993
\nDaal 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/22\/1995
\nWinner of the Reds<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 06\/16\/1992
\nIn 2015 was the top reliever in the Reds<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 12\/25\/1992
\nIn 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. Control is his main issue.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 04\/03\/1993
\nA good defender, but not sure his bat will get him where he needs to be.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 03\/02\/1992
\nHigh velocity, maybe best curveball in all of baseball, but walks way too many hitters.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 02\/13\/1992
\nHad a dominant 2016 but still hasn’t played in the upper minor leagues.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 09\/30\/1995
\nBoyles had a decent 2015 followed up by an average 2016.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 01\/28\/1996
\nYoung with a good strikeout rate and lots of promise.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 12\/28\/1994
\nSwitched from 3B to 1B last year, solid average hitter.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 08\/06\/1993
\nFormer 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<\/a> organization.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 12\/16\/1994
\nDrafted in the 5th round out of Texas A&M, high velocity out of the pen.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 01\/24\/1991
\nStill technically a prospect he did make his MLB debut in 2016 and projects as a utility infielder.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>DOB: 03\/26\/1994
\nHis 12.9 K\/9 was the second best in the Midwest League.<\/p>\n
\nTier 5
\n<\/strong>41. Alex Powers, RHP
\n<\/strong>DOB: 02\/26\/1992
\nWent 9-0 this year with good numbers.<\/p>\n