Reds have a good future coming up...

[Matt700wlw]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/n...milb&fext=.jsp

[CySeymour]

Good to know. Hopefully the organization can continue to build a strong system.

[icehole3]

no mention of Brandon Waring

[lollipopcurve]

mention that Francisco had a strong instructional league is nice -- first thing I've heard re: instrux

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

mention that Francisco had a strong instructional league is nice -- first thing I've heard re: instrux

That was actually them talking about last year, where he was the instructional league MVP.

[Kc61]

Viola got mention, but is really struggling in AFL. Got hit hard again today, ERA up to 29.70. I think that's even higher than the Reds team ERA last season.

Didn't see Roenicke's name in article.

[GoReds33]

Originally Posted by icehole3

no mention of Brandon Waring

I saw the same thing. I have no clue why they didn't talk about him. He was easily one of their best picks last year, and majorly jumped onto the radar.

[Superdude]

Not that I trust milb.com as an argument ending scouting source, but the fact that they have Thompson as a mid 90's guy is impressive. I don't even think he threw that before the injury did he?

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Superdude

Not that I trust milb.com as an argument ending scouting source, but the fact that they have Thompson as a mid 90's guy is impressive. I don't even think he threw that before the injury did he?

Nope. I had him pegged as throwing 88-91 MPH while touching 92 and 93 at times.... when I read him throwing mid 90's I was impressed as well, although I don't know how much validity it actually holds.

[Superdude]

when I read him throwing mid 90's I was impressed as well, although I don't know how much validity it actually holds.

Minor league scouting reports always seem to be a tad optimistic when it comes to velocity in my opinion. If someone can hit 95MPH a couple times a game on the best day of their life, their fastball is usually listed as mid 90's. Last year, BA said McBeth threw 95-96. Even if Thompson's only scraping the mid 90's, that's a whole lot better than what I expected this year.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Superdude

Minor league scouting reports always seem to be a tad optimistic when it comes to velocity in my opinion. If someone can hit 95MPH a couple times a game on the best day of their life, their fastball is usually listed as mid 90's. Last year, BA said McBeth threw 95-96. Even if Thompson's only scraping the mid 90's, that's a whole lot better than what I expected this year.

Yeah, I had heard reports of him sitting in the 88-91 range and every so often going to 92 or 93.... so when I saw mid 90s, I felt I underranked him by about 5-10 spots when I did my top 40 list.

[M2]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Yeah, I had heard reports of him sitting in the 88-91 range and every so often going to 92 or 93.... so when I saw mid 90s, I felt I underranked him by about 5-10 spots when I did my top 40 list.

I'd suggest sticking with your original estimate and not buying into the notion that Thompson's turned into a flamethrower. Minor league pitching velocities are like college basketball player heights, you have to deduct for reality.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by M2

I'd suggest sticking with your original estimate and not buying into the notion that Thompson's turned into a flamethrower. Minor league pitching velocities are like college basketball player heights, you have to deduct for reality.

Well it likely could have been a 1 time thing and maybe a fast gun. I mean I have heard Johnny Cueto hitting 99 before, but obviously he doesn't throw that hard but once or twice a year if he is lucky. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. For the most part though, Cueto sits 90-94 and touches 95-97 when he really needs to. Still though, having the ability to get a little extra every now and again helps even a little bit in giving someone a little extra points in a prospect ranking.

[M2]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Still though, having the ability to get a little extra every now and again helps even a little bit in giving someone a little extra points in a prospect ranking.

Not with his FB ratio and career H/IP it shouldn't. Thompson and Rafael Gonzalez are two pitchers down on the farm who do just about nothing for me - supposedly in possession of stuff that never translates. They remind of Ricardo Aramboles.