Prospect #1 - Yonder Alonso
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Prospect #1 - Yonder Alonso
I went with Mike Leake over Todd Frazier. Leake is a polished pitcher with four pitches that grade our as average or better. His combination of size and stuff reminds me of Tim Hudson. I expect Leake to begin 2010 in Double-A, or at worst, High-A with a promotion to Double-A by June. If everything goes as expected, he could compete for a spot in the Reds rotation in spring training of 2011, IMO.
Gotta go Leake here. Alonso is the clear #1 IMO and after that everyone has some significant drawbacks. Leake's college resume and projections of moving fast make his lack of profesional time seem like a lesser flaw than poor plate discipline (Francisco), not having a good positional fit (Frazier) or being far, far away from the majors (Y-Rod), so its Leake by process of elimination.
I'll add Billy Hamilton, Donnie Joseph, Mark Serrano, and Josh Fellhauer to the next poll. I meant to add them to this poll but I forgot.
Leake again. OBM, it's possible the Reds may have a pretty crowded rotation in 2 years time. Harang, Bailey,Cueto, Arroyo and Volquez. The Reds may decide to transfer him to the bullpen if they can't arrange a trade for someone in the rotation. I'm sure he has the stuff to make the rotation though.
By the way, OBM, thanks for doing this. Fun, interactive project.
Leake for now. Todd Frazier playing an adequate second base next year could change that though.
I went with Wood. Even though Leake is polished, Wood is pushing the majors right now, was the best minor league pitcher last year, and is a lefty with a plus change.
Yorman, highest potential with a very nice debut.
Frazier, since Leake has yet to throw a professional pitch in the Reds ORG (not counting fall or winter league here). No doubt that Leake will succeed, its just a matter of principle for me right now.
I went with Juan Francisco
Frazier. His peripherals from this year looked a lot like the ones that Juan Rivera posted in Anaheim this year, except with a few more walks and a few more K's. He can play 3B or LF today. His bat will be fine at either spot. His advanced placement gives him a slight nod over Mike Leake.
This is my thinking too.
I just have a hard time putting a guy as the #2 prospect in the org when he has yet to make ONE professional pitch since being drafted. Especially when you have someone like Frazier who had a really good year and has succeeded at each level he's played at.
I agree on Frazier, power hitting utility guy, he's gonna have a great 2010