Tanner Rahier

[Benihana]

Keith Law had Rahier going #21 in the first round to the Braves in his final mock. Tremendous value.

Also noted he should be signable, as "he wants to play pro ball."

[Scrap Irony]

Actually, I don't know if the kid will move off SS in the foreseeable future, as per Perfect Game's website:

Rahier is certainly athletic enough to handle shortstop in the near term. He’s a 6.6 to 6.7 runner who is light on his feet for his size and plenty athletic. His arm strength grades out as a plus at any position on the field and he’s thrown up to 93 mph off the mound. Rahier’s actions through the ball aren’t smooth or low effort, however, and he often has to depend on his arm strength to get outs when his release gets long. His offensive potential at shortstop could be an incredible plus, just as it is with a similar large bodied shortstop such as top 2012 shortstop prospect Carlos Correa, so moving him out of the middle infield should be done with caution.

Becoming smoother with the ball is fairly easily taught, as is a shorter throw when needed. I'd certainly keep him at SS until he forced me to move him.

[dougdirt]

I'd certainly keep him at SS until he forced me to move him.

The Reds have done a good job at that in the past, and I imagine they will do it again with this guy unless there is someone who is just that much better who makes him move off the position to get both playing time.

[camisadelgolf]

Becoming smoother with the ball is fairly easily taught, as is a shorter throw when needed. I'd certainly keep him at SS until he forced me to move him.

Absolutely. But he's moving to third eventually. I'll even be conservative and say it might need to wait until he reaches the upper minors. But if he were expected to stay at short, he would've been a top-20 pick.

[Mario-Rijo]

The Longoria comparison begs a question about Rahier’s future; whether he stays at shortstop for the near or long-term or whether he’s a third baseman. Rahier is certainly athletic enough to handle shortstop in the near term. He’s a 6.6 to 6.7 runner who is light on his feet for his size and plenty athletic. His arm strength grades out as a plus at any position on the field and he’s thrown up to 93 mph off the mound. Rahier’s actions through the ball aren’t smooth or low effort, however, and he often has to depend on his arm strength to get outs when his release gets long. His offensive potential at shortstop could be an incredible plus, just as it is with a similar large bodied shortstop such as top 2012 shortstop prospect Carlos Correa, so moving him out of the middle infield should be done with caution.

Interesting note.

PG Crosschecker

[RedlegJake]

Rahier could end up being the value pick of the entire draft

[corkedbat]

Rahier could end up being the value pick of the entire draft

Love this pick and the Winker one. Both are talented young HS guys and the ball just jumps off their bats.

[Benihana]

How in the world did he fall to #78?

[camisadelgolf]

How in the world did he fall to #78?

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=46

[Benihana]

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=46

Still think it's crazy. If he was a Latin American prospect, he could get an eight figure bonus!

[BoydsOfSummer]

I drafted Tanner earlier this month in a Diamond Mind draft. Obviously I like the pick. Now I get to watch him develop for two of my fave teams. Hope he delivers a bunch. Welcome to the Reds and Barbarians young man! A scout compared his intensity and approach to the game to Pete Rose. Excellent make-up is the word.

[RedsManRick]

From what I've read, I love this pick. That the kid was raking in a wooden bat league says a lot.

[Blitz Dorsey]

What a steal to get Rahier in the second round (and with our fourth pick overall). Reds had a great draft. (Well, I know rounds 16-40 are still to come, but so far so good. The rest of the draft is mostly minor league filler anyway.)

[Benihana]

From ESPN's Draft Blog:

Palm Desert High School (Calif.) infielder Tanner Rahier was a potential first-round pick coming into the draft but lasted until the second round -- No. 78 overall -- when the Cincinnati Reds called his name. He's signable there despite a full ride to the University of San Diego, but it may cost the Reds more than slot, which is just less than $650,000 for that pick.

Hopefully this deal gets done quickly.

[lollipopcurve]

I have no doubt Rahier will sign. The Reds had all night and the next morning to get their ducks in a row re: their 2nd rounder's signability. And Rahier sounded pleased to be drafted by the Reds.