Originally Posted by
Ladeda
I don't mind the draft at all. I really thought the Reds would go High School players with their first 2 or 3 picks, then load up on college pitching in the 3rd and 4th rounds where they have done well recently with the likes of Cingrani, Moscot and Lively.
First off, with the success of 1st round picks over the past half decade, we really shouldn't be questioning the Reds and should give them the benefit of the doubt. I know I had my preferences of some High School guys like Adams, Davidson, Chavis and Wall--- but I understand the Reds logic.
They were looking for a college pitcher with their first pick. Done, got it. Next they were looking for a middle infielder, basically a 2B. Chavis was off the board, and they may have removed Wall from their board because of his labrum injury. They decided they wanted a 2B with their next pick, and the next best one was Blandino. Ok, fair enough.
Pick of Sparks? No idea-- the farm is littered with 3B at the lower levels--- SMB, Rahier, Franklin. So for the 3rd draft in a row, the Reds take a 3B with their 2nd round pick. (Rahier and Franklin) Honestly, I didn't have Sparks anywhere in my top 50, so I haven't been able to see/read much about him in the past 12 hours after his selection. It's not like 3B is a huge position of need, Frazier isn't a FA until after 2017, and the Reds have 3 guys @ lower levels that were recent draft picks.
Me personally-- I'll admit, I love drafting pitching, as you can never have enough pitching. I would have liked to see the Reds take another pitcher in round 2 instead of Sparks. With Leake, Cueto and Latos all being FA after next year-- I would like to see more pitching in the system. The Reds can't assume that they can sign 1, and then 1 or 2 of Stephenson, Lively, Moscot or Lorenzen will be ready for the rotation by then. Some may bomb in AAA or get injured along the way.
It kills me though-- in a strong prep class, the Reds go College, College, College with their picks. Always take advantage of what the draft offers. Like next year, when there is a better crop of HS SS's available.
In the end, it's wait and see. With the Reds track record of 1st rounders-- just be happy with whomever they select and hope they turn out to be successful. I'm hoping Howard and Blandino turn out very, very well.