2007 MLB First Year Player Draft - Cincinnati Reds

[Red Leader]

This thread is to discuss the players selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2007 First Year Player Draft and to report players that have signed contracts with the Reds after being drafted.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft...m.php?team=CIN
2007 Draft: Cincinnati Reds

Players signed indicated in Bold



Round Overall Player Position School State
1 15 Devin Mesoraco c Punxsutawney (Pa.) HS PA
As strong as this year's high school class was considered at the outset of the season, it got even better when high school righthanders Jarrod Parker and Nevin Griffith and Mesoraco came out of the gate showing better tools and ability than they had last summer and fall. Griffith and Mesoraco appeared in showcases, but they didn't show impact potential until this spring, and Mesoraco has been the biggest riser of them all. An arm injury led to Tommy John surgery when he was a sophomore, and he was relegated to DH duties as a junior. His arm strength has slowly returned, and this spring he has shown a 70 arm with quick, efficient releases. Defensively, Mesoraco compares favorably to 2001 Angels first-rounder Jeff Mathis, with athleticism serving as the foundation of an agile, quick-twitch player who receives and blocks exceptionally well. He shows above-average bat speed and 50-55 power at the plate. He's a solid-average runner, too, rounding out a legitimate five-tool package that probably won't make it out of the first round.
1s 34 Todd Frazier 3b Rutgers NJ
1s 53 Kyle Lotzkar rhp South Delta SS, Delta, B.C. BC
2 79 Zack Cozart ss Mississippi MS
3 104 Scott Carroll rhp Missouri State MO
3 109 Neftali Soto 3b Colegio Marista HS, Manati, P.R. PR
4 139 Blake Stouffer 3b/of Texas A&M TX
5 169 Drew Bowman lhp Nebraska NE
6 199 Evan Hildenbrandt rhp Mennonite Educational Inst., Abbotsford, B.C. BC
7 229 Brandon Waring 3b Wofford SC
8 259 Andrew O'Neill rhp Penn State PA
9 289 Alexis Oliveras of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Guaynabo, P.R. PR
10 319 Harris Honeycutt rhp South Carolina SC
11 349 Jordan Wideman c Streetsville SS, Mississauga, Ont. ON
12 379 Scott Gaffney ss Penn State PA
13 409 Brandon Menchaca of Delaware DE
14 439 Joseph Krebs lhp Texas TX
15 469 Matthew Kinker rhp Furman SC
16 499 Charles Snowden lhp Brandon (Miss.) HS MS
17 529 Jesse Craig rhp Brigham Young UT
18 559 Taylor Jordan rhp Merritt Island HS FL
19 589 Raymond Jeffords rhp South Carolina SC
20 619 Jacob Kahaulelio ss Oral Roberts OK
21 649 Jeremy Horst lhp Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) GA
22 679 Robert Rhoden rhp Vanderbilt TN
23 709 Jason Bour c George Mason VA
24 739 Frank Meade c Rutgers NJ
25 769 Eli Rimes 1b Sonoma State CA
26 799 Curtis Partch rhp Merced College CA
27 829 Jason Roenicke rhp Cuesta College CA
28 859 Jonathan Conaster rhp Tallahassee CC FL
29 889 Steven Otterness lhp Embry-Riddle FL
30 919 Brett Bartles 3b Duke NC
31 949 Jordan Hotchkiss rhp Brevard (N.C.) College NC
32 978 Brandon Douglas ss Northern Iowa IA
33 1007 Brodie Pullen 3b Calhoun (GA) HS GA
34 1036 Jeremy Vineyard rhp Boaz HS AL
35 1065 Thad Weber rhp Nebra NE
36 1094 Leon Landry 3b Baker LA
37 1122 Scott Alexander lhp Cardinal Newman HS, Santa Rosa, Calif. CA
38 1150 Ari Ronick lhp Portland OR
39 1178 James Nelson rhp Niceville (Fla.) HS FL
40 1206 Ross Hopkins c Tyee HS WA
41 1232 Kevin Hickey of Concordia CA
42 1258 Sean Bierman lhp Kinnelon (N.J.) HS NJ
43 1283 Austin Taylor 3b Thomas County Central HS, Thomasville, GA GA
44 1310 Josh Beal rhp Independence CC KS
45 1336 Jordan Brown rhp Meridian (Miss.) CC MS
46 1360 Mike McGuire rhp Delaware DE
47 1383 Andrew Benes 3b Westminster Christian Academy, Doniphan, Mo. MO
48 1404 Michael Henry rhp St. Patrick HS ON
49 1425 Cameron Gray rhp Silverthorn Collegiate HS, Toronto ON
50 1446 Jordan Chambless rhp Texas A&M TX

[RedLegsToday]

did the Reds select anyone in the late rounds that would be considered early round talent that will be hard to sign?

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by RedLegsToday

did the Reds select anyone in the late rounds that would be considered early round talent that will be hard to sign?

I believe Scott Alexander, the LHP, was considered a top 200 talent. Hopefully the Reds will shell out for him, LHP is currently our biggest need.

[Gallen5862]

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/mlb/e...r&ft=TM&fv=cin
Page 1 of 2 [ 53 player(s) found ] › »Scouting reports provided by MLB.com Class Key:
J1 - Junior College, 1st year J2 - Junior College, 2nd year J3 - Junior College, 3rd year
DO - Dropout NS - No School HS - High School SO - College sophomore
JR - College junior SR - College senior 5S - College, 5th year senior Pick Team Player School Pos B/T Ht Wt DOB Class
15 Mesoraco, Devin Punxsutawney Area HS C R/R 6'01" 1988-06-19 HS 400K
Comments: Mesoraco has answered any questions about his arm following Tommy John surgery a year ago and is on the rise among catching prospects. He's a complete catching package, with hitting ability, power, good hands, a plus arm and outstanding leadership ability.
Enhanced Scouting Report
34 Frazier, Todd Rutgers U New Brunswick SS R/R 6'03" 215 1986-02-12 JR 400K
Comments: Frazier was drafted three years ago, but he honored his commitment to Rutgers, following in his brothers' footsteps. He's had a very productive year at the plate, showing power and run production ability even though Rutgers has hit him out of the leadoff spot. He'll change his place in the order as a pro just like he'll likely change his spot defensively, from shortstop to either third or a corner outfield position. Considering the dearth of college bats in this class, it's hard to imagine he'll last long on draft day.
Enhanced Scouting Report
53 Lotzkar, Kyle South Delta SS RHP L/R 6'04" 200 1989-10-24 HS 400K
Comments: Fellow Canadian Phillippe Aumont has been getting most of the buzz, but Lotzkar deserves some as well. He's got an intriguing power package with a fastball/slider combination. How well he can harness and command his stuff, along with doing more with a third pitch, will determine whether he's a starter or reliever in the future.
Enhanced Scouting Report
79 Cozart, Zachary U Mississippi SS R/R 6'01" 185 1985-08-12 JR 400K
Comments: Cozart has perhaps the best set of hands in this year's draft class and shortstops who can catch the ball are often hard to find. His lack of speed may hurt his range as the game speeds up and there is a question as to how much he'll hit at the next level. Some see him as a shortstop who can hit in the two-hole, but he also may just be a utilityman who hits ninth.
Enhanced Scouting Report
104 Carroll, Scott Missouri St U RHP R/R 6'05" 210 1984-09-24 SR 400K
109 Soto, Neftali Colegio Marista HS SS R/R 6'02" 180 1989-02-28 HS 400K
Comments: Soto has an intriguing package of tools that includes raw power and above-average speed. Currently a shortstop, he doesn't profile as a guy who'll be able to stay there, particularly range-wise. That's OK, because his offensive skill set fits better at third. He should hit enough for the position and could develop into a No. 5 or 6 hitter in a big-league lineup.
Enhanced Scouting Report
139 Stouffer, Blake Texas A&M U 1B S/R 6'00" 190 1985-10-11 JR 400K
169 Bowman, Andrew U Nebraska Lincoln LHP R/L 6'04" 190 1985-11-08 JR 400K
199 Hildenbrandt, Evan Mennonite Educational Inst RHP L/R 6'02" 190 1989-02-13 HS 400K
229 Waring, Brandon Wofford Col 3B R/R 6'04" 195 1986-01-02 JR 400K
259 O'Neil, Andrew Penn St U RHP R/R 6'03" 200 1985-11-08 SO
289 Oliveras, Alexis Puerto Rico BB Academy HS CF L/R 6'00" 1989-03-29 HS 400K
319 Honeycutt, Harris U South Carolina Columbia RHP R/R 6'01" 205 1984-12-18 SR
349 Wideman, Jordan Streetsville SS C R/R 5'11" 200 1989-03-14 HS 400K
379 Gaffney, Scott Penn St U SS R/R 6'03" 185 1986-03-13 JR
409 Menchaca, Brandon U Delaware OF R/R 6'00" 195 1985-04-15 SR
439 Krebs, Joseph U Texas Austin LHP L/L 6'00" 200 1984-09-14 SR
469 Klinker, Matthew Furman U RHP R/R 6'05" 210 1984-10-08 SR
499 Snowden, Charles Brandon HS LHP L/L 6'01" 150 1988-10-06 HS
529 Craig, Jesse Brigham Young U RHP R/R 6'03" 235 1983-02-18 SR
559 Jordan, Taylor Merritt Island HS RHP R/R 6'03" 190 1989-01-17 HS
589 Jeffords, Raymond U South Carolina Columbia RHP R/R 6'00" 200 1984-11-04 SR
619 Kahaulelio, Jacob Oral Roberts U SS R/R 5'10" 185 1985-06-07 SR
649 Horst, Jeremy Armstrong Atlantic St U LHP L/L 6'04" 225 1985-10-01 SR
679 Rhoden, Robert Vanderbilt U RHP R/R 6'03" 222 1984-12-23 SR 400K
709 Bour, Jason George Mason U C R/R 6'03" 1986-07-02 JR
739 Meade, Francis Rutgers U New Brunswick C R/R 6'01" 215 1985-09-27 JR 400K
769 Rimes, Eli Sonoma St U 1B L/L 6'00" 210 1985-06-07 SR
799 Partch, Curtis Merced Col RHP R/R 6'05" 210 1987-02-13 J2
829 Roenicke, Jason Cuesta Col RHP R/R 6'00" 200 1985-10-25 J3
‹ Page 2 of 2 [ 53 player(s) found ]Scouting reports provided by MLB.com Class Key:
J1 - Junior College, 1st year J2 - Junior College, 2nd year J3 - Junior College, 3rd year
DO - Dropout NS - No School HS - High School SO - College sophomore
JR - College junior SR - College senior 5S - College, 5th year senior Pick Team Player School Pos B/T Ht Wt DOB Class
859 Conatser, Jonathan Tallahassee CC RHP R/R 6'00" 180 1985-12-04 J3
889 Otterness, Steven Embry-Riddle U LHP L/L 6'04" 210 1984-10-30 SR
919 Bartles, Brett Duke U 3B R/R 6'02" 205 1986-08-20 JR
949 Hotchkiss, Jordan Brevard Col RHP R/R 6'04" 210 1986-04-03 JR
978 Douglas, Brandon U Northern Iowa SS R/R 6'00" 1985-08-27 JR
1007 Pullen, Brodie Calhoun HS 3B R/R 6'00" 195 1988-10-26 HS
1036 Vinyard, Jeremy Boaz HS RHP R/R 6'01" 165 1988-08-10 HS
1065 Weber, Thad U Nebraska Lincoln RHP R/R 6'02" 205 1984-09-28 JR
1094 Landry, Leon Baker HS 3B R/R 5'11" 190 1989-09-20 HS
1122 Alexander, Scott Cardinal Newman HS LHP L/L 6'02" 1989-07-10 HS 400K
1150 Ronick, Ari U Portland LHP L/L 6'04" 205 1986-03-25 JR
1178 Nelson, James Niceville HS RHP R/R 6'06" 225 1989-06-05 HS 400K
1206 Hopkins, Ross Tyee HS C R/R 6'00" 220 1988-12-21 HS
1232 Hickey, Kevin Concordia Col RF L/R 6'03" 210 1984-09-04 SR
1258 Bierman, Sean Kinnelon HS LHP L/L 6'00" 195 1988-10-20 HS 400K
1284 Taylor, Austin Thomas County Central HS 3B S/R 6'03" 175 1989-03-30 HS
1310 Beal, Josh Independence CC RHP R/R 6'02" 220 1987-10-21 J1
1336 Brown, Jordan Meridian CC RHP R/R 6'00" 185 1986-07-01 J2
1360 McGuire, Michael U Delaware RHP R/R 6'07" 240 1986-06-29 JR
1383 Benes, Andrew Westminster Christian Academy 3B R/R 6'02" 190 1988-11-04 HS
1404 Henry, Michael St Patricks HS RHP R/R 6'03" 205 1989-09-01 HS
1425 Gray, Cameron Silverthorn Collegiate Inst RHP R/R 5'11" 175 1989-06-11 HS 400K
1446 Chambless, Jordan Texas A&M U RHP R/R 6'01" 205 1985-03-07 JR 400K
« ‹ Page 2 of 2 [ 53 player(s) found ]

[mth123]

Is Andrew Benes from the 47th Round son of former Cardinal pitcher Andy Benes? Doniphan, MO is 178 Miles from St. Louis. Anybody know?

[traderumor]

I was looking at some numbers on our last pick, Jordan Chambless and noticed he had an ERA of about 1.80 and 17 Ks in just a very few innings and was curious what the story was, whether injury or just a late bloomer?

[NorrisHopper30]

Originally Posted by mth123

Is Andrew Benes from the 47th Round son of former Cardinal pitcher Andy Benes? Doniphan, MO is 178 Miles from St. Louis. Anybody know?

You are correct sir, Marty mentioned it on last nights broadcast.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by NorrisHopper30

You are correct sir, Marty mentioned it on last nights broadcast.

Thanks. Didn't listen to the radio last night.

[Edd Roush]

For all of those fine baseball minds on Redszone, I have a few questions.

1) When do players typically start signing?

2) When does Rookie League ball start?

3) How many of these ballplayers should we expect to sign?

Thanks.

[jmcclain19]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

For all of those fine baseball minds on Redszone, I have a few questions.

1) When do players typically start signing?

2) When does Rookie League ball start?

3) How many of these ballplayers should we expect to sign?

Thanks.

1 - some right away, the top picks usually take a few weeks though
2 - Billings opens their season in 12 days - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t513
3 - 30-35 is the typical number.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by jmcclain19

1 - some right away, the top picks usually take a few weeks though
2 - Billings opens their season in 12 days - http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t513
3 - 30-35 is the typical number.

You're the man

[BEETTLEBUG]

Is Robert Rhoden from Vanderbilt former Dodger and Pirate Rick Rhoden's Son?

[11larkin11]

When will most of these guys be assigned to a team? After they sign? Any you think will go right to Dayton? Im hoping a guy like Cozart or Frasier take over for Valaika at Dayton, if they stay at SS, and Valaika goes to Sarasota. I'd like to see Mesoraco start out in Dayton too, since Im going to a couple games this summer.

[redsmetz]

Benes is the son of Andy Benes, according to MLB.com. I checked the Vanderbilt website and their media guide for the baseball team shows Rhoden is not the son of Rick Rhoden.

[JaxRed]

Originally Posted by 11larkin11

When will most of these guys be assigned to a team? After they sign? Any you think will go right to Dayton? Im hoping a guy like Cozart or Frasier take over for Valaika at Dayton, if they stay at SS, and Valaika goes to Sarasota. I'd like to see Mesoraco start out in Dayton too, since Im going to a couple games this summer.

If Reds follow their past policy.... none will go to Dayton. They pretty much put the HS guys in GCL and the college guys in Billings.