Future Impact Offenders

[jmcclain19]

I'm of the position that we should completely eliminate offenders all together.

[mth123]

Assuming this means after Frazier, but its confusing because some on the list could arrive before him.

I'll go with Shaun Cumberland.

[Betterread]

1a - Todd Frazier - with his ability to get on base via the walk and his solid power potential (as long as he stays healthy) he will be productive
1b - Chris Valaika - the best pure hitter in the organization
2 - Juan Francisco - he has really high power potential - if he can get to 40 walks a year and cut down on the Ks.
3 - Danny Dorn - good all around offensive skills, too bad he doesn't have a ML fielder's skills - he is scary and he's not athletic enough to merit hope for improvement.
4 - Drew Stubbs - where is the power he shows in practice? He has to make better contact at this point in his career.
5 - Devin Mesoraco - wait and see. I have been marginally impressed to this point.

[Screwball]

4 - Drew Stubbs - where is the power he shows in practice?

Perhaps the FSL is sapping some of his power. He wouldn't be the first nor the last to have that happen.

[_Sir_Charles_]

Wow, people sure are impressed with Valaika apparently. I don't see it that way though. Sure, he's solid and talented...but "the best pure hitter in the organization" is stretching it a bit don't you think?

.307 at dayton in 2007. Got promoted to Sarasota for the second half of the year and struggled. Hit only .253 in 217 ab's. This year, he started at Sarasota and hit extremely well. .363 in 135 ab's. Was then promoted to 'nooga and in 90 ab's is hitting a paltry .244. Hopefully it's just an acclamation period of adjustment. But I haven't seen the solid consistancy for an entire year from him yet to call him the best pure hitter in the org. Have you?

[Mario-Rijo]

Wow, people sure are impressed with Valaika apparently. I don't see it that way though. Sure, he's solid and talented...but "the best pure hitter in the organization" is stretching it a bit don't you think?

.307 at dayton in 2007. Got promoted to Sarasota for the second half of the year and struggled. Hit only .253 in 217 ab's. This year, he started at Sarasota and hit extremely well. .363 in 135 ab's. Was then promoted to 'nooga and in 90 ab's is hitting a paltry .244. Hopefully it's just an acclamation period of adjustment. But I haven't seen the solid consistancy for an entire year from him yet to call him the best pure hitter in the org. Have you?

He's pretty good and it's probably accurate but he needs to learn to layoff some of those pitcher's pitches.

[OnBaseMachine]

The Reds have a couple kids who I am pretty excited about in the lower minors, though both are probably four or five years away. Those two kids are Juan Duran and Neftali Soto. Obviously Duran has yet to play a game but his scouting report makes my jaw drop to the ground. He's described as a cross between Dave Winfield and Vladimir Guerrero with his 6-6 200 frame and great athleticism. But it's his hitting ability that really stands out. His power is described as 80 power potential (on the 20-80 scouting scale). That's not something you see very often. The other guy I really like is Neftali Soto, who was drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round last year out of Puerto Rico. Baseball America likes him a lot as they rated his the 8th best prospect in the GCL and described him as a future heart-of-the-order slugger. He's got solid plate discipline and a long wiry frame that should allow him to develop 25-30 homerun power down the road. Both of these kids are young and could be on a similar track to the majors. Add in Devin Mesoraco and hopefully another big bat or two from this upcoming draft and the Reds have some nice young position prospects in the lower minors.

[OesterPoster]

Wow, people sure are impressed with Valaika apparently. I don't see it that way though. Sure, he's solid and talented...but "the best pure hitter in the organization" is stretching it a bit don't you think?

.307 at dayton in 2007. Got promoted to Sarasota for the second half of the year and struggled. Hit only .253 in 217 ab's. This year, he started at Sarasota and hit extremely well. .363 in 135 ab's. Was then promoted to 'nooga and in 90 ab's is hitting a paltry .244. Hopefully it's just an acclamation period of adjustment. But I haven't seen the solid consistancy for an entire year from him yet to call him the best pure hitter in the org. Have you?

I've seen him in person numerous times, and he has a very sweet stroke. I wouldn't have a problem calling his bat the best in the Reds' minor leagues. He goes through adjustment periods each time he's promoted, so I'd be shocked if he doesn't post a pretty good line the rest of the year at AA.

[HBP]

The Reds have a couple kids who I am pretty excited about in the lower minors, though both are probably four or five years away. Those two kids are Juan Duran and Neftali Soto. Obviously Duran has yet to play a game but his scouting report makes my jaw drop to the ground. He's described as a cross between Dave Winfield and Vladimir Guerrero with his 6-6 200 frame and great athleticism. But it's his hitting ability that really stands out. His power is described as 80 power potential (on the 20-80 scouting scale). That's not something you see very often. The other guy I really like is Neftali Soto, who was drafted by the Reds in the 3rd round last year out of Puerto Rico. Baseball America likes him a lot as they rated his the 8th best prospect in the GCL and described him as a future heart-of-the-order slugger. He's got solid plate discipline and a long wiry frame that should allow him to develop 25-30 homerun power down the road. Both of these kids are young and could be on a similar track to the majors. Add in Devin Mesoraco and hopefully another big bat or two from this upcoming draft and the Reds have some nice young position prospects in the lower minors.

IMO it's great they've took chances on these guys. Yes Duran cost 2 mil, but it's not like they wasted a draft pick if he doesn't make it. I'm anxious to see how Soto performs when Billings (I assume) starts.