Some under the radar players that I look forward to following in 2011:
RHP Josh Smith. Very impressive in 2010. One of the best curves I saw all year. Big horse, durable. I think he had three straight 9-inning CGs in college in 2010. Good enough fastball.
LHP Blaine Howell. Good stuff. Very underrated as a prospect in my opinion (maybe because people tend to rate relievers lower for some reason).
LHP Tanner Robles. Slow start in Billings last season, then put up some sensational secondary numbers. Supposedly has very good stuff.
1B/LF Donald Lutz. Improved dramatically from 2009 to 2010. Can he do it again? Must improve his defense.
RHP Mark Serrano. 2010 was a bust, but I saw a healthy Serrano in 2009 and I am not ready to give up on him yet. He can pitch if he gets healthy and stays healthy.
3B Carlos Mendez. Much better player than he gets credit for. Jumping back and forth between teams last year hurt him. If he hits .300 in Double-A this year, will people start to give him credit?
LHP Jeremy Horst. Not exactly under the radar, but for some reason, the Reds have not warmed up to him. In two of the last three seasons, he has been one of the most effective pitchers in the organization. Now getting lefties out. Always tough on righties because of plus-plus change-up.
1B Chris Richburg. A little over-aged, but seems to be improving rapidly. I saw clear improvement in 2010 in all areas. Better athlete and better player than he gets credit for. Excellent power.
And last but not least, although he is no longer under the radar, he is still an unknown, 2B Ronald Torreyes. I have written about him before. What I saw from him in Dayton last year made a huge impression. Best defensive second baseman I have seen in the MWL in three years. Will he hit in the MWL? Will he even get the chance?