Who is Redszone's #17 prospect?

[camisadelgolf]

#1 C Devin Mesoraco
#2 1B/OF Yonder Alonso
#3 C Yasmani Grandal
#4 SS Billy Hamilton
#5 SS Zack Cozart
#6 RHP Dan Corcino
#7 RHP Robert Stephenson
#8 RHP Brad Boxberger
#9 1B Neftali Soto
#10 OF Yorman Rodriguez
#11 2B Ron Torreyes
#12 OF Dave Sappelt
#13 UT Todd Frazier
#14 SS Didi Gregorius
#15 2B Henry Rodriguez
#16 LHP Tony Cingrani

[Ohayou]

Sulbaran again. I think he has potential to become a solid #2. He just needs the right coaching.

[The DARK]

Duran. He went #17 last year, and other than his high strikeout rate, he's done nothing but improve his prospect status.

[mace]

Duran. He went #17 last year, and other than his high strikeout rate, he's done nothing but improve his prospect status.

That's all true, and most of the numbers would suggest that Duran made a lot of progress in 2011. But I'm having trouble getting past the several eyeball accounts that have described him, essentially, as utterly hopeless against 1) off-speed pitches, and 2) fly balls. Granted, he's still awfully young, but with those very significant obstacles, and in spite of his prodigious power, I have a hard time ranking him above a guy (Barnhart) who was born in the same year (91, although eight months earlier), played last season at the same level (Dayton), has demonstrated vastly better contact skills, mans a critical position, and has been rated as the best defensive catcher in all of the minor leagues.

[fearofpopvol1]

I went Sulbaran here. Great potential if he can reach it.

[Kc61]

That's all true, and most of the numbers would suggest that Duran made a lot of progress in 2011. But I'm having trouble getting past the several eyeball accounts that have described him, essentially, as utterly hopeless against 1) off-speed pitches, and 2) fly balls. Granted, he's still awfully young, but with those very significant obstacles, and in spite of his prodigious power, I have a hard time ranking him above a guy (Barnhart) who was born in the same year (91, although eight months earlier), played last season at the same level (Dayton), has demonstrated vastly better contact skills, mans a critical position, and has been rated as the best defensive catcher in all of the minor leagues.

Duran has more upside.

[fearofpopvol1]

Duran has more upside.

More upside does not necessarily equate to a better prospect. He has a very long way to go.

[mth123]

Changing my vote here. Orginally had Renken in this spot, but moved him down after some research. Going with Tim Crabbe based on his promising 2011, his mid 90's fastball and what BA calls the best slider in the system. He and Sulbaran are close, and even though Crabbe's BB/9 were slightly higher, I still think he has better control. Sulbaran with a high number of Hit Batsman and Wild Pitches may be a bit revealing. There are about 10 guys who could reasonably get my vote here. I strongly considered Sulbaran, sticking with Renken or going with David Vidal, Tucker Barnhardt, Brodie Greene or Juan Duran, but Crabbe it is. Phipps and Waldrop can't be forgotten either.

[HokieRed]

I've got Sulbaran now until he gets picked. I really think Sulbaran, Phipps, and Rosa are all better prospects than Cingrani, and, especially, Duran. But, as in last round, Sulbaran.

[klw]

Can we have Reds MILB Pitcher of the Year Josh Smith added for the next round?

[dougdirt]

Going with Gabriel Rosa here. There is a reason that the Reds took him in the 2nd round this past year.

[camisadelgolf]

Going with Gabriel Rosa here. There is a reason that the Reds took him in the 2nd round this past year.

No, there isn't.

[mth123]

Going with Gabriel Rosa here. There is a reason that the Reds took him in the 2nd round this past year.

I was thinking along those lines for a while and then realized that there was a reason Duran was paid a $2 Million bonus, Lamarre was a 2nd rounder himself, Sulbaran and Waldrop signed way over slot, Barnhardt was named best defensive catcher in the minors, Crabbe promoted to AA and improved, etc, etc, etc,

[lollipopcurve]

Phipps is going to make more money in the bigs than several of the guys who will end up higher than him on this list.

[dougdirt]

Phipps is going to make more money in the bigs than several of the guys who will end up higher than him on this list.

That is probably true. That doesn't make him a better prospect though, because we can't identify the guys who will flame out vs the guy who is very likely a 4th/5th outfielder.