Which is most interesting Reds farm team to watch right now.

[krm1580]

With no Reds game last night and a little extra time on my hands I got my first chance to look at the rosters of the Reds farm teams. I find the year to year ebb and flow of prospect relevance interesting across the different levels as guys graduate and move up. For example in 2011 Louisville was must watch with Alonso, Frazier, Cozart, Mesoraco, etc. This year Louisville is comprised of mostly 30 year old 4A players with almost no prospect relevance.

My question is, as they are constructed right now, which teams do you find to be the most interesting, not the best.

1. Bakersfield
2. Pensacola
3. Dayton
4. Louisville

Bakersfield for me is the most interesting because I think they have the most guys that could surprise to the upside. Is Ben Lively as good as his numbers indicate or does he start getting smacked around? Does Jesse Winker's continue as a middle of the order thumper. Does Seth Mejas-Breen develop power to go along with his solid game. Do multi tool guys like Junior Arias and Kyle Waldrop start to translate tools into skills.

Pensacola is about the arms Stephenson, Lorenzen, Corcino, Contreras. The bats on the other hand do not do much for me. Yorman Rodriguez it seems like every year is going to be his breakout year, but it never happens. Juan Duran I have written off.

Dayton for me is Phil Ervin and high draft picks that have been a disappointment to me (Travieso, Gelalich, Rahier). Garrett and Guillon could surprise as well.

Louisville is pretty much barren. Tucker Barnhart is somewhat interesting. Other than that not much to see.

[dougdirt]

Pensacola. That pitching staff is full of arms. The outfield has four guys in it worth watching.

[mace]

Well, if I could take Bakersfield's lineup and Pensacola's pitching . . . But that being the case, I guess I'll go with Bakersfield. It's been a kick to see what the Blaze can produce offensively every night, although the reaction has to be tempered, of course, by the knowledge that it's the California League. Pensacola's lineup has its high points, and one of them, for me, is Donald Lutz, but I suspect that Lutz will soon be headed to Louisville. Meanwhile, Dayton, with its 1.60 team ERA, is not chopped liver. Love pitching.

Now, if Lorenzen continues to dominate as a starter . . .

[NeilHamburger]

I have a dream that by the end of the year it will be Louisville because Yorman, Ervin, and Winker will be the outfield. and Stephenson will be the ace (unless he's in Cincy).

[dougdirt]

I have a dream that by the end of the year it will be Louisville because Yorman, Ervin, and Winker will be the outfield. and Stephenson will be the ace (unless he's in Cincy).

That would be an incredible jump for Ervin, basically stopping at all four levels. I just don't see that happening. Winker doing so is more reasonable, but still a long shot. I'm sure Stephenson will see time in Louisville this year unless they just decide that he is ready and a spot opens up with that perfect timing scenario and he just jumps up from Double-A.

[powersackers]

Bakersfield hitting and Dayton's pitching are my favorite to check in on everyday. My guess is each will lead their leagues in a lot of categories.

[Benihana]

I have a dream that by the end of the year it will be Louisville because Yorman, Ervin, and Winker will be the outfield. and Stephenson will be the ace (unless he's in Cincy).

I think this is more plausible for 2015. Add Lively, Lorenzen, Moscot, and Contreras to the pitching staff, and you have one hell of an interesting minor league team to follow.