Frazier #1, Alonso #9 on BA's Prospect Hot Sheet. Dontrelle gets a mention.

[OnBaseMachine]

From Baseball America:


"I see him some days and he looks like a bona fide third-base prospect who possibly could play every day," said one scout. "Then a couple days he chases pitches out of the zone. I don't know what to make of him, but he got the job done at third base."


http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611732.html

[The DARK]

Wow, that's great news about his defense. If he provides the answer as a backup 3B and utility infielder, he'd give the Reds a lot more stability at the position for this season and next, and he'd give us the ability to see what we can get for Francisco in a trade.

These Louisville Bats all seem to be on the verge of forcing themselves through.

[_Sir_Charles_]

From what I recall, his defense at third has never gotten questioned. He got moved to other spots simply because of the needs of OTHER players and possible holes in the big club. But he's always been considered an adequate defender at third.

[The DARK]

From what I recall, his defense at third has never gotten questioned. He got moved to other spots simply because of the needs of OTHER players and possible holes in the big club. But he's always been considered an adequate defender at third.

True, but "adequate" and "league average" are different things, to me at least. Adequate tells me that his bat has to be pretty impressive to consider him, league average tells me that he's got the stuff to be a legitimate MLB starter. Besides, it certainly helps to have a player on the bench with his bat and the ability to play a multitude of positions.

That said, unless we move Cairo's contract or we have another injury, I don't think we'll see him in the majors this season. As we all know, Dusty tends to prefer veterans and sure things over prospects.

[OnBaseMachine]

Reds related questions from today's BA chat:

Kyle (Middletown): Do you think that Todd Frazier will be a better all around third baseman in the big leagues than Juan Francisco?

Ben Badler: I do, and I don't think it's even close.

Steve (Cincinatti): How good is Yasmani Grandal's bat and is there a chance he sees time in the majors this season?

Ben Badler: Love the bat, easily one of the five best true catching prospects in the minors, but ZERO percent chance he's in Cincinnati this season.

Lloyd (Lakewood): So, is the Yonder to LF thing realistic, or is he still trade bait, blocked by Votto?

Ben Badler: It wouldn't be ideal, but it's doable. If the Reds are willing to put up with Jonny Gomes' well-below-average defense in left field, I don't see why they wouldn't do it with Alonso. On the other hand, if they can deal him for a legitimate shortstop...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611741.html

[_Sir_Charles_]

True, but "adequate" and "league average" are different things, to me at least. Adequate tells me that his bat has to be pretty impressive to consider him, league average tells me that he's got the stuff to be a legitimate MLB starter. Besides, it certainly helps to have a player on the bench with his bat and the ability to play a multitude of positions.

That said, unless we move Cairo's contract or we have another injury, I don't think we'll see him in the majors this season. As we all know, Dusty tends to prefer veterans and sure things over prospects.

Well, that choice of words was mine...not scouts or writers. Average is what I heard & read most. Solid is another word tossed around for him. Basically, his defense was always thrown in as an afterthought...like it's not a great skill for him, but it's certainly not a concern.

[The DARK]

Well, that choice of words was mine...not scouts or writers. Average is what I heard & read most. Solid is another word tossed around for him. Basically, his defense was always thrown in as an afterthought...like it's not a great skill for him, but it's certainly not a concern.

I gotcha. No worries, man. :beerme:

Neat BA chat. Don't see why we need to worry about dealing for a SS just yet when we have Janish, though.

[klw]

The guy from the Dodgers who is #12 on the list looks like a 13 year old version of John Cusack.

[Superdude]

Don't see why we need to worry about dealing for a SS just yet when we have Janish, though.

Janish has a great glove, but his bat is tough on the lineup. If they don't think Cozart is the answer, I would definitely not be opposed to Walt shopping around.

[HokieRed]

As much as I like Alonso, I don't see anybody trading a shortstop significantly better than what we've got for him. Our trading position, with Alonso blocked, is too weak and shortstops better than Cozart-Janish are not easy to develop.

[powersackers]

There are some big name prospects on that list, and even for a 30 AB period or whatever they look at, it's nice to have a Red on top. Frazier and Alonso are both big league ready. Nice to know we have someone if Rolen or Votto go down. Knock on wood.

[reds44]

Janish will not be the Reds SS in September. As much as I want Reyes, I'd put the favorite as Renteria.

[757690]

I gotcha. No worries, man. :beerme:

Neat BA chat. Don't see why we need to worry about dealing for a SS just yet when we have Janish, though.

I like Janish, but I don't think the Reds see him as their future SS. Likely holding the position until Cozart is ready. If they could acquire a legit above average SS, I am sure they would do it in a second.

[The DARK]

I like Janish, but I don't think the Reds see him as their future SS. Likely holding the position until Cozart is ready. If they could acquire a legit above average SS, I am sure they would do it in a second.

The problems with finding a SS are:
1) It's hard to find quality shortstops on the market much better than what the Reds have. After Jose Reyes, there's a whole lot of Edgar Renterias and Orlando Cabreras.

2) If we do go for Reyes, we'd probably be forced to choose between him and Brandon Phillips after this season. The truth is, we'd have even more of a hole at 2B without Phillips, and on the whole he's one of the longest-tenured Reds and is essential for team chemistry, so there's no way Reyes is our shortstop of the future.

3) The SS prospects out there aren't much better than what we've already got. When Iglesias, one of the top current SS prospects, was mentioned as a trading possibility, he seemed to project as barely better than what Janish is. Cozart hasn't proven himself ready to take over the job yet, and with all the other prospects waiting in AAA, who knows if or when he'll get the opportunity. Janish is a proven and improving commodity with Gold Glove defense.

I'd love to trade for legit SS of the future, but I just don't think one is out there right now that doesn't hurt our team more than it helps.

[AWA85]

I love the Frazier burst we are seeing, but I swear just a few weeks ago all sorts of people were saying he is never going to have the bat, must be a bust and looks terrible at the plate. Guess a hot streak solved everything and he is major league ready now???

[redsmetz]

That said, unless we move Cairo's contract or we have another injury, I don't think we'll see him in the majors this season. As we all know, Dusty tends to prefer veterans and sure things over prospects.

Actually, a number of us continue to call that notion a myth. It has been noted elsewhere that Cairo's two year $2M deal is something that can easily be absorbed if he's picked up by another club. Whoever takes him still is on the hook for the ML minimum (pro-rated for this season - at this point, if cut today and PU'd, they'd pick up around $500K.)

Baker's tenure here has shown him to give loads of playing time to young players. In fact, I'd say it's almsot been a hallmark of this time here. I think if any of these players forces the issue they'll find playing time.

[fearofpopvol1]

Reds related questions from today's BA chat:

Kyle (Middletown): Do you think that Todd Frazier will be a better all around third baseman in the big leagues than Juan Francisco?

Ben Badler: I do, and I don't think it's even close.

Steve (Cincinatti): How good is Yasmani Grandal's bat and is there a chance he sees time in the majors this season?

Ben Badler: Love the bat, easily one of the five best true catching prospects in the minors, but ZERO percent chance he's in Cincinnati this season.

Lloyd (Lakewood): So, is the Yonder to LF thing realistic, or is he still trade bait, blocked by Votto?

Ben Badler: It wouldn't be ideal, but it's doable. If the Reds are willing to put up with Jonny Gomes' well-below-average defense in left field, I don't see why they wouldn't do it with Alonso. On the other hand, if they can deal him for a legitimate shortstop...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611741.html

Interesting. Fair to say RZ underrated Grandal before the season started?

[The DARK]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110513/SPT04/105140340/All-about-the-timing-for-Frazier?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CSPT

I find this particularly interesting, especially with regards to Sappelt:

As it is, Frazier is likely to be the next call-up. Louisville manager Rick Sweet says Frazier's the best left fielder he's got down there.


Given that they were batting Sapp 3rd in the lineup, they obviously believe that he's a seriously good hitter. So is he ignored because of his current injury, or does he need that much more work defensively and on the basepaths?

On the other hand, it's great to see a guy who we'd all started to write off finally make a case for himself in the major leagues. With his defense and utility abilities, he'd be a solid player in the majors.

Also, what crazy competition we now have for LF...

1) Gomes: The incumbent who will get every chance that Dusty can possibly allow, and excellent for team chemistry, but struggling badly.
2) Lewis: The leadoff hitter with speed, with the major league club, and currently on a roll.
3) Heisey: The prospect turned 4th outfielder, who puts up excellent and reliable stats as a pinch hitter but has never made a smooth transition into starting.
4) Frazier: "The best LF we've got" in AAA, brings power, fallen from top prospect status, but currently on fire and making believers out of experts.
5) Sappelt: The spring training wonder, highest average hitter, and one of the best defenders; however, he's currently injured, not on the 40 man, and needs work with baserunning. The likely LF of the future.
6) Francisco: Made the 25 man out of spring training, on the DL, insane raw power and nothing to prove in AAA, but looks clueless at the plate in the majors.
7) Alonso: The biggest bat of them all, but also the slowest and worst fielding skills.
8) Hermida: The project who's tearing up AAA pitching but didn't perform in his short major league stint.