MiLB.com: Reds' 2010 organization preview
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Coming Soon
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
The biggest international sign of this past offseason, the Reds came in like stealth bombers and shocked the baseball world when they inked the highly-regarded southpaw in January to a six-year big league deal. He has been impressive enough this spring that he could either break camp with the team or be there soon. Just 22, he defected to Andorra out of an international tournament in the Netherlands after clocking a Cuban League record with a 102-MPH pitch. His slider is his best secondary pitch, and he also throws a changeup and a curveball.
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Under the Radar
Mariekson Gregorius, SS
The teenager from the Netherlands was a Pioneer League All-Star at short-season Billings last year and actually got a brief shot at Advanced A Sarasota due to injury, holding his own in that time. Still projectable and blessed with good instincts and upside, he hit .314 for the Mustangs, including .364 in July.
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Predictions
Hitter of the Year -- Yonder Alonso, 1B
A fractured hamate bone in his left hand cost the 2008 first-rounder the first two months of the '09 season, but he hit .303 at Sarasota and then .295 at Carolina when he returned to action. The Reds can't wait to see what he does in his first full healthy season. He is a polished player out of the University of Miami with power to all fields.
Pitcher of the Year -- Leake, RHP
Signed at the deadline, the '09 first-rounder is not a big guy, but what he lacks in size as a power pitcher, he makes up for with savvy and polish and a five-pitch repertoire. He has a good feel for the mound and does all the little things well, such as fielding his position. The Reds love his baseball smarts and command. He was 16-1 with a 1.71 at ASU.
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Re: MiLB.com: Reds' 2010 organization preview
Reds' 10 prospects to watch in 2010, by Lisa Winston
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Aroldis Chapman, LHP: The 22-year-old Cuban defector was the big international signing of the offseason, and it was a shocker when the Reds inked him in January, signing him to a six-year big league deal. His early showing in big league camp has been so impressive that he could well break camp with the Reds. He was clocked at triple digits in Cuba and offsets his heat with a slider, changeup and curveball, all nasty stuff.
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Billy Hamilton, SS: If Cozart is the shortstop most likely to reach the big leagues soon, this 2009 second-round pick out of high school in Mississippi is one to keep an eye on further down the road. A raw talent who was a college football recruit, he has game-changing speed and great agility and athleticism. He's learning to switch-hit to take advantage of that speed. Defensively, he has range and quickness and a strong arm. He hit .205 with 14 steals in the Gulf Coast League in his debut and led all league shortstops with a .955 fielding percentage.
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Yorman Rodriguez, OF: The youngest player in the Pioneer League last summer when he turned 17 during his pro debut at Billings, the Venezuelan-born center fielder is one of the system's international signing gems. He combined to hit .236 with three homers and 19 RBIs between the Gulf Coast League and Billings and is considered the system's best pure athlete right now. He has a strong arm, bat speed and power potential and is working on plate discipline.
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