Cincinnati Reds Organization Discussion
by John Sickels on Jan 13, 2026 10:48 AM EST
25 comments
I am now working on the Tampa Bay Rays. The next team on the list is the Cincinnati Reds, followed by the Colorado Rockies.
Use this thread to discuss the Reds system. There are some interesting guys here, and that was before the Chapman signing.
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How does the rankings come out?
For Alonso, Chapman, Leake
by jumperjah on Jan 13, 2026 11:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
My guess
Chapman A-
Alonso B+
Leake B, maybe B+
I love the top 8 of this system: Chapman, Leake, Alonso, Frazier, Heisey, Cozart, Francisco, Wood.
The only drawback is that the Reds seem to want Frazier to play LF, which is also where Heisey has been playing and where Francisco is likely to end up (though his defense seemed to improve at 3rd late in the season).
by Cormican on Jan 13, 2026 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Chapman A-? Really?
The guy has some serious talent, but …I have some serious reservations about him, the same ones I have with Strasburg and any pick who have yet to throw a Pro pitch. Chapman’s equivalent to what, a college pick?
I think my list would be: Alonso A-
Leake: B+
Chapman (strong) B+
a deep sleper in this system is Sean Henry, kind of similar to Heisey, except Heisey garners more attention.
Henry gets a C+/B- from me, but I tend to overrate guys I like.
Wasn’t Todd Fraizer a Ss when drafted?
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
by feslenraster on Jan 13, 2026 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
John said Chapman a likely A-
Yesterday somewhere on the site. Probably were the OP got that from.
by dougdirt on Jan 13, 2026 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Todd was a 3B when drafted. I also like Sean Henry, nice kid with good skills.
I thought Chapman as an A-, because a Lefty with a high 90’s fastball, good Slurve and a changeup which may need some work could be a #1 starter in 2012 for the Reds on Opening day.
by Cormican on Jan 13, 2026 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Frazier
was a shortstop out of Rutgers when drafted. He played shortstop with the Reds for about 2 years. Hardly ever spent time at 3B because he was always paired up with Juan Francisco.
by dougdirt on Jan 13, 2026 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Potential sleeper
Henry Rodriguez. 19 year old kid, plays shortstop but has been behind two of the Reds best defensive shortstops most of his career so far (Miguel Rojas - named best defensive shortstop in the MWL this year and Billy Hamilton - this years 2nd round pick). High contact rate, very good speed. Hit very well in the Venezuelan Winter League as a 19 year old.
by dougdirt on Jan 13, 2026 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What about
SS Mariekson Gregorius? What do you know about him?
Kevin Frandsen: The best SS on the Giants roster
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T; Park in 2010
by Gobroks on Jan 13, 2026 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Goes by DD
DD was his fathers nickname who was a famous pitcher in Curacao and Mariekson goes by it as well. Defensively he is a good shortstop option. He should be able to stick at the position moving forward. He has pretty good speed and a solid bat, though he doesn’t have much power.
You can see him hit here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHMHqeA1ImY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x43wL6ddpfA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb6gTqR4M4M
by dougdirt on Jan 14, 2026 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Y Rod
Yorman Rodriguez seems to be severely underated when compared to guys with a longer track record. YRod’s still a kid and is killing it. Unlimited upside.
by Dave from Louisville on Jan 13, 2026 2:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I would say killing it
Yorman performed very well in the GCL for his age. He performed quite poorly in Billings though. Very good prospect though.
by dougdirt on Jan 13, 2026 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Very deep system, not a lot of high end talent until Chapman added this week
I think Chapman is correct but Alonso is too high (he may be given a mulligan due to injury but that should count anyway)
Chapman A-
Frazier B+
Heisey B (I might even give him a B+)
Alonso B (needs to show more power and sustained AAA success)
Leake B (Solid, not as much upside though, as a Reds fan I love the Oswalt comps)
Boxleiter B
Yorman Rodriguez B (gets this due to age and playing in the Pioneer league)
Francisco B-
Cozart B-
Wood B- (not enough “stuff”)
Ondrusek C+
Fellhauser C+
Sulbaran C+
Mesoraco C+ (I am really interested to see John’s comments)
Juan Duran C+ (gets a mulligan for age)
I also am curious to see how he rates all the low minors shortstops, especially Henry Rodriguez, but also Miguel Rojas, Hamilton (little production but lots of upside)
by mbushskbum on Jan 13, 2026 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
your grades for Boxburger, Rodriguez, Francisco, and Cozart all seem optimistic.
baseball rules.
by doublestix on Jan 13, 2026 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I could see Cozart being a B-
Pedigree, has the glove, bat is nothing much but should be playable. He’s at least a utility guy and could certainly end up being a starting middle infielder in time.
I agree on the rest, and I also think that Frazier is probably a grade too high. Solid bat but probably not a star, although he’s really close and that carries a lot of value.
by mrkupe on Jan 13, 2026 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Frazier
Really curious what position you see him playing in the MLB John.
by Franchise887 on Jan 13, 2026 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Top 5 farm system in baseball
Chapman: A (Pryce and Soto will make the needed adjustments by July.)
Alonso: A- (He is as good a prospect as Smoak or Morrison, injury spoiled stats in 2009)
Frazier: B+ (good stick, no position yet - I predict 3B eventually) (lots of power, too many Ks, poor glove)
Leake: B+ (MOR, not ace stuff, high floor)
Wood: B (great results with average stuff, good pitchability)
Heisey: B (Similar to Drew Stubbs)
Francisco: B
Y. Rodriguez: B- (wild card, could be a superstar or a total bust)
Cozart: B- (has a great chance to grab MLB SS job and keep it)
Boxberger: B-
Maloney: C+ (solid BOR starter)
Soto: C+
Hamilton: C+ (raw athletic ability, no skills yet)
Duran: C- (very young wild card, could be a superstar or a total bust, terrible plate discipline, needs coaching)
The Reds have tons of raw talent in their system. Key is whether they can develop that talent with good coaching and patient management.
by AtomicDumpling on Jan 13, 2026 9:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ignore strikethrough above...
not sure how that happened.
by AtomicDumpling on Jan 13, 2026 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much everyone should be knocked down a grade.
by Snake the Jake on Jan 13, 2026 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THE List
Chapman A
Alonso B+
Leake B+
Frazier B
YRod B
Wood B
Heisey B-
Francisco B-
Then there are a TON of C+ / borderline B- guys
by Dave from Louisville on Jan 13, 2026 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Valaika
Anyone willing to give this guy a second chance after some injuries?
by NMUWildcat027 on Jan 13, 2026 11:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why wouldn't he get a 2nd chance?
Just going to have to prove last year was a fluke, not a weakness being exposed at the highest level of the minors.
by dougdirt on Jan 14, 2026 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Valaika
Sure. I think he still has similar upside as he did a year ago, but the Reds have had a lot of talent either added (Chapman, Leake) or improved (Wood, Heisey) in the past year.
by GregD on Jan 14, 2026 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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