Not that Kind of Farm
Baseball season is a full month old. It feels like just yesterday that everyone was getting hyped for Opening Day. Currently, Cincinnati is in 4th out of the 5 Central Division teams. Before the year began, that was the idea. No one expects the Reds to be above the three powers of the Central. Cincinnati has been pegged by many "experts" as a team who could lose 100 games. A writer for a prominent newspaper in Cincinnati even went as far as to say this team would lose upwards of 120 games, which is insane.
With so much "optimism" around the team this year, it is never a bad thing to look to the future. Cincinnati has loaded up through the draft and also through trades during recent years, and the fruits of those labors are being seen throughout the farm system. We will be looking at the current Top 10 prospects that the Reds are betting on for the future. A future that might not be so far away. Let's take a look at a few of the centerpieces for this franchise.
1.) Jesse Winker, OF
Jesse Winker is currently the Red's top prospect in their system. He also clocks in at #30 in the Major's Prospect List. Winker is currently an outfielder for the Louisville Bats (AAA Affiliate). He was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft. Winker has not made his debut yet, but he was invited to Spring Training and played 7 games before getting injured. 2016 begins his first season of Triple-A ball. In his first season, he is currently batting .306.
Winker takes a Joey Votto type approach to the batting box. He works the count and makes the opposing pitcher really work to get him out. The Reds are hoping that he will be the left fielder of the future. The future is expected to be some time this season. Look for Winker to come up when injuries arise, but to fall back down. He should find a spot when rosters expand in September.
2.) Robert Stephenson, RHP
Robert Stephenson has been the Red's top prospect for a couple of years now until Winker knocked him out of the top spot. Stevenson was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft. He was the first high school player drafted in the first round by the Reds since Devin Mesoraco (2007). Stephenson has the normal pitching arsenal, but sports a nasty curve, and a much improved changeup. He also has very good command of his fast ball. The Reds have taken a slow approach with bringing him up because they did not want to rush him like they did in Homer Bailey's situation.
Stephenson has already made two starts in the majors this year. He has won both while holding down a 3.00 ERA. After each start, he was sent back to AAA Louisville. Expect to see him in spot starts for most of this season.
3.) Cody Reed, LHP
Cody Reed came over from Kansas City last year in the Johnny Cueto trade. The Royals were really high on him, and the Reds really wanted him. Reed was taken by the Royals in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft. Reed is one of two top 10 LHP Prospects that the Reds have the rights to. One of the reasons he is considered so high is the improvement of both his command and control.
Reed isn't expected to help Cincinnati this season, but do not be surprised if he shows up for a start or two here and there. Currently at AAA Louisville, he owns a 2-0 record with a 1.62 ERA. He has struck out 17 batters in just 16.2 innings so far this season.
4.) Amir Garrett, LHP
Amir Garrett might be my personal favorite on this list. Garrett was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft by the Reds. One tidbit about Garrett: he was a 4-Star basketball recruit in high school. The high school Garrett attended did not offer baseball, but his father talked him into giving it another shot in what was a tryout in front of major league scouts. Garrett was drafted and allowed to play basketball for St. John's. When basketball fell through, Garrett stuck with baseball.
One know on Garrett is that his secondary pitches are inconsistent. His slider is shaky, and his frame (6'5") does not help with his changeup. His fastball is in the mid-90's, and can dial it up to around 97. His size is not the worst of things. It offers him great extension that allows him to really come at the hitters.
Garrett will not be able to help Cincinnati this year. He is at least another year or two away which should provide him with much needed improvement on his second and third pitches. In five starts for AA Pensacola, Garrett is 2-2 with a 1.52 ERA. He has also struck out 32 batters while only walking 6.
5.) Jose Peraza, 2B/OF
Jose Peraza is one of the many prospects that Cincinnati picked up through their trades this past year. Peraza signed out of Venezuela with Atlanta in 2010. He was one of the Braves' top prospects before the emergence of Andrelton Simmons. In December, he was moved to Los Angeles in a three team trade that involved the Marlins. When the Reds moved Todd Frazier, he came over.
Originally a SS, Peraza has been set back at the position in Louisville this season. Peraza could move up to the big leagues at some point this season. Look for him to be an extra infielder when rosters expand in Septemeber.
So far we have looked at the Top 5 Prospects in the Reds' farm system. In my next post, I will close out the remaining players that make up the Top 10.
Until next time,
-Dug
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