Memories (Cincinnati Enquirer photos)
Barry Larkin in Retrospect
Barry Larkin was a first-round draft pick in 1985, the fourth overall selection, out of the University of Michigan. His minor league track record:
1985 Vermont (Eastern League): .267/.332 OBP/.345 SLG, 12 steals in 72 games.
1986 Denver (American Assoc.): .329/.380 OBP/.525 SLG, 19 steals in 103 games.
He made his major league debut with the Reds in '86 and took over as the regular in '87. He blossomed in 1988 at age 24, hitting .296 with 12 homers and 40 steals, emerging as a perennial All-Star and one of the best players in the game.
Larkin's position as an early first-round pick and his holding his own in Double-A right out of college would have made him a Grade A- in a theoretical 1986 prospect book. Following his '86 season, he would likely have rated as a Grade A prospect going into 1987.
Comparable Players to Barry Larkin (based on Sim Score)
Luke Appling
Julio Franco
Red Schoendienst
Jimmie Dykes
Dave Concepcion
Alan Trammell
Pee Wee Reese
Tony Fernandez
Bill Dahlen
Tony Phillips
Reese, Appling, and Schoendienst are Hall-of-Famers. Trammell, Concepcion, Fernandez, Phillips, and Dahlen were all better than some guys in the Hall. Larkin should be a slam-dunk given his longevity and across-the-board contributions.
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