Which Reds prospects will take the biggest leap forward in 2010?

[OnBaseMachine]

Using our Redszone top 40, which Reds prospects do you see taking the biggest leap forward in 2010?

For the pitchers, I'll go with Juan Carlos Sulbaran. We ranked him as our #22 prospect in the Redszone top 40, but I could see him moving into at least the 10-12 range next season, and maybe even higher than that. He struggled some in 2009 but I still love his potential. Despite his struggles, he still struckout 100 batters in 92.2 innings for a strong 9.7 K/9. That tells me his stuff is there, he just needs to locate it better (5.0 BB/9). He just turned 20 in November, so he still has plenty of time to put things together. I think he'll probably begin the season in Dayton and earn a promotion to Lynchburg by midseason.

As for the hitters, I had to think about this one a little harder. Juan Duran crossed my mind, but we ranked him at #16, and while I expect him to play a lot better this season, I don't see him jumping no higher than around 8-12. I considered all of the young shortstops, but Henry Rodriguez and Junior Arias both stuck out the most. We ranked Rodriguez #34 and Arias #37 and based on their tools, if they hit well this year like expected then both will probably jump into the top 20 next offseason. A strong case could be made for Gregorius and Valor too.

So who do you see making a big jump?

[11larkin11]

I don't see him jumping no higher than around 8-12.

Yes, I am a an idiot

[Mario-Rijo]

Corcino and Arias make a lot of sense.

[dougdirt]

I have a few hitters in mind.
Devin Mesoraco - The defense took huge steps forward last season. Offensively he gets out of the FSL and his peripherals were pretty good last season. .800+ OPS and 35% of base stealers thrown out in 2010.
Billy Hamilton - While he is rated highly because of his tools and not so much because of his production, I think with a full year to have worked on switch hitting that offensively he begins to show some promise in 2010.
Marc Fluery - Had a bit of Jay Bruce syndrome in Billings - 10% walk rate, 18% strikeout rate, .220 BABIP. Defensively it would seem he has a ways to go still, but I think offensively he will do MUCH better than he did last season.

Pitching wise I will go with JC Sulbaran like OBM did. Despite below average to average velocity most of the season in Dayton, he posted a great strikeout rate. If his velocity returns to average to above average he could really put together a strong season, especially if he can be a little more consistent with the strikezone.

[OnBaseMachine]

Corcino and Arias make a lot of sense.

Love the Corcino pick. I forgot to include him in my post, but I could see him jumping into the 20-30 range next season. I really like what I've read on him.

[GOYA]

Based on our rankings, I'll say Del Rosario and HenRod.

[mace]

From the Top 40, as prescribed:

Chris Heisey (sounds weird, given his last year, but he's still unvalidated)
Neftali Soto
Devin Mesoraco
Jeremy Horst

From the rest, as not prescribed:

Alex Buchholz
Kevin Coddington
Curtis Partch
Joe Krebs
Jordan Hotchkiss
Alexis Oliveras
Tucker Barnhart

First list: guesswork
Second list: also guesswork

[Superdude]

Pitching wise I will go with JC Sulbaran like OBM did. Despite below average to average velocity most of the season in Dayton, he posted a great strikeout rate. If his velocity returns to average to above average he could really put together a strong season, especially if he can be a little more consistent with the strikezone.

What was his velocity? Was his secondary stuff that good that he could strike out over a batter an inning with a below average fastball?

[dougdirt]

What was his velocity? Was his secondary stuff that good that he could strike out over a batter an inning with a below average fastball?

I saw him a few times top out at 88 MPH in games, throwing 86-88 all game. For a righty, thats below average. I saw some games where he was 87-90 too. When he is on, his secondary stuff can handcuff hitters, especially ones in Low A.

[Superdude]

that's not very good. Any reason for the drop in velocity or is this another Travis Wood situation?

[dougdirt]

that's not very good. Any reason for the drop in velocity or is this another Travis Wood situation?

He was healthy all year outside of the blister problems. Its just one of those things, not every guy with good velocity in HS can carry that forward while throwing 100+ innings in a season. Some guys get it back, some don't. We are going to have to wait and see with him.

[nemesis]

I say Silva as a hitter and Hildenbrandt as the ace pitcher in Dayton.

[mth123]

Hitters:

Danny Dorn #18, Josh Fellhauer #21 and Henry Rodriguez #34

Pitchers:

Jordan Smith #24, Matt Fairel #25 and Jeremy Horst #38

Not ranked guys to watch:

Alex Oliveras OF and Mark Pawelek LHP

[OnBaseMachine]

Another non-ranked guy I forgot to mention besides Daniel Corcino is Ismael Guillon, the young lefty (just turned 18) from Venezuela. He had Tommy John surgery last year and missed all of 2009, but according to Keith Law he impressed scouts in Instructional League with a 90-93 mph fastball and a good changeup. He'll probably pitch in the GCL this season.

[corkedbat]

I can see (and agree with) all that have been mentioned. Just to be different, I'll say #29 Kyle Lotzkar. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I'd love to see the kid come back strong.