BA Reds Top 10

by BoydsOfSummer on Nov 21, 2007 7:51 PM EST

PROSPECTS

Jay Bruce, of
Homer Bailey, rhp
Joey Votto, 1b/of
Johnny Cueto, rhp
Drew Stubbs, of
Devin Mesoraco, c
Todd Frazier, ss
Juan Francisco, 3b
Josh Roenicke, rhp
Matt Maloney, lhp

BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average     Jay Bruce
Best Power Hitter     Jay Bruce
Best Strike-Zone Discipline     Paul Janish
Fastest Baserunner     Chris Dickerson
Best Athlete     Chris Dickerson
Best Fastball     Homer Bailey
Best Curveball     Homer Bailey
Best Slider     Johnny Cueto
Best Changeup     Travis Wood
Best Control     Johnny Cueto
Best Defensive Catcher     Crag Tatum
Best Defensive Infielder     Zach Cozart
Best Infield Arm     Juan Francisco
Best Defensive Outfielder     Drew Stubbs
Best Outfield Arm     Cody Strait
PROJECTED 2011
LINEUP
Catcher     Devin Mesoraco
First Base     Joey Votto
Second Base     Brandon Phillips
Third Base     Todd Frazier
Shortstop     Chris Valaika
Left Field     Adam Dunn
Center Field     Josh Hamilton
Right Field     Jay Bruce
No. 1 Starter     Homer Bailey
No. 2 Starter     Aaron Harang
No. 3 Starter     Johnny Cueto
No. 4 Starter     Bronson Arroyo
No. 5 Starter     Matt Maloney
Closer     Josh Roenicke
TOP PROSPECTS
OF THE DECADE
Year     Player, Position     2007
1998     Damian Jackson, ss/2b     Out of baseball
1999     Rob Bell, rhp     Orioles
2000     Gookie Dawkins, ss     Phillies
2001     Austin Kearns, of     Nationals
2002     Austin Kearns, of     Nationals
2003     Chris Gruler, rhp     Out of baseball
2004     Ryan Wagner, rhp     Nationals
2005     Homer Bailey, rhp     Reds
2006     Homer Bailey, rhp     Reds
2007     Homer Bailey, rhp     Reds
TOP DRAFT PICKS
OF THE DECADE
Year     Player, Position     2007
1998     Austin Kearns, of     Nationals
1999     Ty Howington, lhp     Out of baseball
2000     David Espinosa, ss     Tigers
2001     *Jeremy Sowers, lhp     Indians
2002     Chris Gruler, rhp     Out of baseball
2003     Ryan Wagner, rhp     Nationals
2004     Homer Bailey, rhp     Reds
2005     Jay Bruce, of     Reds
2006     Drew Stubbs, of     Reds
2007     Devin Mesoraco, c     Reds
* Did not sign
LARGEST BONUSES
IN CLUB HISTORY
Chris Gruler, 2002     $2,500,000
Homer Bailey, 2004     $2,300,000
Drew Stubbs, 2006     $2,000,000
Austin Kearns, 1998     $1,950,000
Jay Bruce, 2005     $1,800,000

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Strong Top 5

Other than maybe the Rays, I'm not sure anyone can match their Top 5.

by killa on Nov 21, 2007 8:17 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Outside of Tampa, the Reds have more high ceiling talent that's close to contributing than anyone in the minors. It drops off considerably after Stubbs really, but a really good top-5

by Tyler on Nov 21, 2007 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

what's the expectations

MLB-wise for Devin Mesoraco?

Mulder: Babe Ruth was an alien? Arthur Dales: sure; all the great ones were aliens.

by dew on Nov 21, 2007 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Mesoraco

Projects as a guy will hit for a pretty good average, with pretty good plate discipline, pretty good power, and pretty good speed for a catcher. He is regarded as an excellent defensive catcher in every regard; good receiver, excellent at blocking balls in the dirt, very good arm (despite TJ surgery), GREAT footwork, phenomenal baseballl knowledge and intangibles.

Offensively, the guy does everything well, but nothing great. Figure he's Brad Ausmus if the offensive tools don't develop, Russell Martin if they do. Yes, I'm aware that's a huge range of possible outcomes.

"Karma - there it was. The meaning of life, straight from Carson Daly's lips to my morphine-laced ears." -Earl Hickey

by BLee2525 on Nov 21, 2007 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

I'm willing to go out on a limb...

and say that Johnny Cueto will have a more productive 6 years (protected service time) than will Homer Bailey.

I really like him...

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 21, 2007 9:07 PM EST reply actions

Bailey

Homer Bailey looked really awful when he was up with the Reds this year. Phil Hughes looked way better than Bailey and they both are the same age and have the same pro experience.
Nothing about Bailey really seemed great other than his curveball which was terribly inconsistent and all over the place. His 93-96 MPH fastball didn't seem to get by many hitters.

If I had to pick one Top 10 prospect to not become a solid big leaguer for the next 10 years it would be Homer Bailey...and Brandon Wood. The guy Ks too much.
Don't call me an ass for saying he won't pan out. There are usually three-four prospects from BAs Top 10 that don't become solid big leaguers each year.(Edwin Jackson, Greg Miller, Kaz Matsui and Rickie Weeks in 2004; Jesse Foppert, Gavin Floyd, Jose Contreras in 2003; Drew Henson, Sean Burroughs, Mark Prior, Wilson Betemit in 2002).
Some of those players had injuries derail their careers but most of them just didn't become good major leaguers. Happens all the time.

by UncleBuck44 on Nov 22, 2007 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Circumstances

Focusing on Bailey, I think it's also true that circumsatances could "conspire" to make him a bust--mishandling by Reds management, offensive home park, and now, of course, higher pitch counts courtesy of Dusty the Butcher.

by Yakker on Nov 23, 2007 1:16 PM EST up reply actions