Reds Minor Leagues 2015

[nkufan23]

Thought it would be nice to start a thread to keep track of the progress being made down on the farm. With the Reds nearing rebuild mode it's exciting to follow some of our top prospects, most of which are pitching prospects. Everyone knows the Reds system overall is just middle of the pack, but they have some players that are kind of flying under the radar that could still make a name for themselves and are putting together a nice season thus far.

 

A couple nights ago Robert Stephenson put together his best start of the season (7 IP, 10 K's, 1 BB, 3 H and 0 ER). He has struggled with command so far but his stuff is still elite and he is one of the most highly touted pitching prospects in all of minor league baseball. Two starts ago over the final 4.1 innings of the game he allowed one hit, had no walks and he struck out 11 batters.

 

Last night Amir Garrett put together his best start of the season (7 IP, 12 K's, 0 BB, 6 H and 0 ER). He has elite stuff for a LH SP and is still extremely raw but probably the best athlete in the organization, the sky is the limit for him and so far this season at A+ he is holding his own and looks to be on the right track. Worst case scenario the Reds might have a possible Chapman 2.0 with slightly less velocity, Garrett throws in the 94-96 mph range right now but that could improve with pitching experience.

 

OF Phil Ervin (2013 1st Round Pick) is putting up nice numbers (.262 AVG, .344 OBP, 10 Doubles, 9 HR's, 31 RBI's and 7 SB's.)

 

SS Alex Blandino last years 1st Round Pick is also off to a great start (.307 AVG, .389 OBP, 8 Doubles, 1 Triple, 4 HR's, 21 RBI's and 5 SB's.)

 

SS Eugenio Suarez acquired in the Simon trade is performing well (.250 AVG, .351 OBP, 8 Doubles, 1 Triple, 6 HR's, 19 RBI's and 3 SB's.)

 

Jesse Winker, Yorman Rodriguez and Nick Howard have all struggled. Winker has shown the same plate discipline he always has but the power numbers just aren't there and the base hits aren't falling. Rodriguez has been on a hot streak over the last week or so and Nick Howard has been shifted back to the bullpen for the time being.

 

Jon Moscot, Nick Travieso, Sal Romano and Keyvius Sampson have had solid season thus far out of the SP prospects. As has the entire Dayton Dragons staff, every starter has an ERA under 3. None of them are talked about very much right now but I look for that to change, Seth Varner and Wyatt Strahan are two to keep an eye on.

 

Zack Weiss, Ben Klimesh and Carlos Contreras have had nice years out of the pen.

[nkufan23]

The Reds desperately need to ship out Cueto and Leake for some bats. Possibly Chapman as well. Pitching is going to be fine.

[plantmanky]

Stephenson has been touted the next pitching thing for 3 years now, if he cant get his stuff to MLB level, he needs to go.

[LOOGY]

I'm really impressed with the pitching in the system. Just need a few more bats down there

[RaiderPride5]

I think the system will have a few nice young bats coming in the next month or two when we finally give up Johnny :(

 

Love the pitching prospects though.

[nkufan23]

Stephenson has been touted the next pitching thing for 3 years now, if he cant get his stuff to MLB level, he needs to go.

 

He's 22 years old and a top 25 prospect in all of baseball. His stuff is MLB level there's yeah doubt about it, his fastball and curveball are deadly. He's still working on command and release points.

[UKMustangFan]

Speaking of prospects, I'm looking forward to the draft next Monday. Reds have the 11th pick. Would love for either Daz Cameron (Mike Cameron's son) or Kyle Tucker to fall to them. Have seen a couple mocks having them selecting HS C Tyler Stephenson. Kid is huge, and has a ton of raw power potential.

[nkufan23]

Speaking of prospects, I'm looking forward to the draft next Monday. Reds have the 11th pick. Would love for either Daz Cameron (Mike Cameron's son) or Kyle Tucker to fall to them. Have seen a couple mocks having them selecting HS C Tyler Stephenson. Kid is huge, and has a ton of raw power potential.

 

I'd love to have any one of those guys. Wouldn't be upset with Benintendi from Arkansas either, he's a pretty polished bat that could probably move through the system pretty quickly.

 

If they pick a pitcher in the first round or even the first few rounds for that matter my head might explode. Unless someone really just falls into their laps.

[UKMustangFan]

I'd love to have any one of those guys. Wouldn't be upset with Benintendi from Arkansas either, he's a pretty polished bat that could probably move through the system pretty quickly.

 

If they pick a pitcher in the first round or even the first few rounds for that matter my head might explode. Unless someone really just falls into their laps.

 

Yep. Unless Tate or Fulmer are still around, I'll probably throw something through the TV if they pick a pitcher.

[nkufan23]

Moscot fired 6 innings last night giving up 1 run with 3 walks and 3Ks

 

Suarez had two hits including HR #7 on the year. It would be nice if the Reds could find a trade partner for BP, Suarez could step in and the Reds wouldn't lose all that much production if any offensively. At this point Suarez has more pop and it would be nice get him some regular big league at bats in addition to what he received in Detroit last season.

[HammerTime]

Yep. Unless Tate or Fulmer are still around, I'll probably throw something through the TV if they pick a pitcher.

 

MLB draft is such a crap shoot. I think you take best available.

[UKMustangFan]

MLB draft is such a crap shoot. I think you take best available.

 

Typically, I'd agree. They have nothing in the system offensively though...They have to use a couple of their higher picks and try to get some real prospects in there IMO.

[ColonelCrazy]

Typically, I'd agree. They have nothing in the system offensively though...They have to use a couple of their higher picks and try to get some real prospects in there IMO.

 

I'm okay with taking a pitcher in the 1st round, although I agree that the system lacks quality bats.

[NKY Bandit]

Although offense seems to be the issue (?), shouldn't you always take the best available in MLB? The path to the majors is so long, hard to tell how that can't miss talent will do (and we've seen plenty of those recently....).

[nkufan23]

No way do you take a pitcher in the first round unless a couple slide to you as has already been mentioned. I've seen at least one mock that has the Reds reaching for Aiken, I don't like that. He has all the talent in the world but the Reds honestly don't need pitching bad enough to reach for someone that could be damaged goods.