With the promotions of Bruce and Bailey as well as the draft, the ol' prospect list has some significant changes this month:
GRADE A (in these guys' cases, it should be Grade A-)
1. Daryl Thompson RHP 22 AAA
2. Todd Frazier 3B/LF 22 A
3. Yonder Alonso 1B 21 --
GRADE B
4. Devin Mesoraco C 19 A
5. Travis Wood LHP 21 AA
6. Chris Valaika 2B/SS 22 AA
7. Drew Stubbs CF 22 A+
8. Juan Francisco 3B 21 A+
9. Matt Maloney LHP 24 AAA
10. Josh Roenicke RHP 25 AAA
GRADE C
11. Brandon Waring 3B 22 A
12. Shaun Cumberland OF 23 AA
13. Daniel Dorn OF 23 AA
14. Jordan Smith RHP 23 AA
15. Danny Ray Herrera LHP 23 AAA
16. Sean Watson RHP 23 AA
17. Justin Turner 2B 23 AA
18. Tyler Pelland LHP 23 AAA
19. Ben Jukich LHP 25 AA
20. Zach Cozart SS 22 A
KEEP AN EYE ON (too early to rate)
Juan Duran OF
Kyle Lotzkar RHP
Neftali Soto 2B
Zach Stewart RHP
Justin Reed OF
ON THE RADAR
Josh Ravin RHP
Keltavious Jones OF
Jeff Jeffords RHP
DROPPED OFF THE RADAR
Adam Rosales INF
The biggest changes this month (other than the obvious graduations of Bruce and Bailey) are the introduction of Yonder Alonso, who could quickly become the #1 prospect with a quick signing/hot start in Dayton, and the meteoric rise of Devin Mesoraco, who has started hitting like a first round draft pick in Dayton. Given that it's only one month of good production, but if Mesoraco keeps hitting like this for the remainder of the season he will become a Grade A prospect. As for the current "Grade A" prospects Thompson, Frazier, and Alonso- none of the three is close (at this point) to the same caliber as previous Grade A guys like Bruce, Cueto, Votto and Bailey (hence the A-minus rating.) Zach Stewart could also quickly make a name for himself on the prospect list with a nice start to the season, although early reports have him destined for rookie ball after he signs. I'm looking forward to the debuts of Lotzkar and Soto coming up this week. I wouldn't be surprised to see either in Dayton by the end of the season.
Imminent Promotions
Due to the great number of promotions over the last few weeks, nobody strikes me as due for an imminent promotion.
Guys that should be considered for promotion by the All-Star Break
1. Danny Ray Herrera (had an impressive big league debut, should be back before long)
2. Matt Maloney (he should be next in line to make a spot start at the big league level if needed)
3. Ben Jukich (got shelled last outing, but should be in Louisville by next month)
4. Shaun Cumberland (looks like he's about ready for Louisville)
5. Todd Frazier (once he finds a position, he should be moved along quickly as long as he continues to hit)
Guys that should be considered for promotion by August
1. Drew Stubbs (starting to be now or never for Stubbs to start producing at a high level)
2. Brandon Waring (as long as he can take some walks)
3. Zach Stewart (no reason he can't end the year in Dayton to be on the fast track)
4. Kyle Lotzkar (only if he shows good progress in Billings)
5. Neftali Soto (ditto)
Thoughts?