Cincinnati Reds Top 20 Prospects for 2008.

Cincinnati Reds Top 20 Prospects for 2008

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

1. Jay Bruce, OF, Grade A (I'm not worried about the strikeouts given his age and performance)
   
2. Johnny Cueto, RHP, Grade A-
   
3. Joey Votto, 1B, Grade A-
   
4. Homer Bailey, RHP, Grade B+
   
5. Todd Frazier, SS-3B, Grade B+
   
6. Matthew Maloney, LHP, Grade B (I have always liked him, has component marks of a power pitcher not a finesse guy even though he doesn't throw hard)
   
7. Devin Mesoraco, C, Grade B
   
8. Drew Stubbs, OF, Grade B-
   
9. Neftali Soto, SS-3B, Grade B-
   
10. Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade B- (a long way off but a good intuitive feeling)
    
11. Daniel Dorn, OF, Grade B- (major sleeper)
    
12. Jared Burton, RHP, Grade C+
    
13. Tyler Pelland, LHP, Grade C+
    
14. Pedro Viola, LHP, Grade C+ (sleeper!)
    
15. Travis Wood, LHP, Grade C+ (health??)
    
16. Josh Roenicke, RHP, Grade C+
    
17. Scott Carroll, RHP, Grade C+
    
18. Chris Valaika, INF, Grade C+
    
19. Adam Rosales, 1B, Grade C+
    
20. Sean Watson, RHP, Grade C+
    
21. Brandon Waring, 3B, Grade C+ (the strikeouts scare me)

There are six other guys I rate as Grade C+, and 11 other guys I rate at Grade C. A very rich farm system with a lot of depth.

I expect the Bailey rating of "only" a B+ will be controversial. However, this will still get him into the top 20 and possibly the top 10 pitching prospects given the thinning out of talent this year. I like him, but I am worried about his command and I guess I don't like him as much as some people do.

Of course, full statistics and reports on over 1,000 other players will be in the 2008 Baseball Prospect Book, now available for pre-order. Ships the first Monday in February!