One of the best things about following minor league baseball is the improvements that often come from out of nowhere. (Graham Ashcraft waves hi.)
What prospects do you like that aren't in the Reds' top 10? Provide one hitter and one pitcher, if possible.
Let's assume, for the sake of argument and expediency, that Doug Gray's list at the halfway mark of the season is the primary source:
1. Greene
2. Lodolo
3. Barrero
4. McLain
5. Ashcraft
6. Santillan
7. Hendrick
8. Roa
9. Bonnin
10. Allen
Mine:
Francisco Urbaez, 2B A+ Dayton
All sorts of green flags for Urbaez as a prospect. Let's start with his production: his line is .340/ .435/ .477/ .912. While he's a bit old for the level, this is his first taste of professional baseball. He's in Advanced A. He's got nearly as many BBs as Ks on the season. He's getting better as the season goes along. (His last 28 days, over 100 ABs: .378/ .480/ .549/ 1.028. Woof.) The league in which he's performing isn't a hitter's haven. He's hitting righties and lefties, young, and old. He's even proven relatively sure-handed at 2B, SS, and is trying 3B to boot. Dude's just getting it done.
Carson Spiers, SP Dayton
Spiers is often ignored, considering the relative wealth of SP prospects who are likely ahead of him in the pecking order. Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, Noah Davis, Christian Roa, Bryce Bonnin, even Lyon Richardson-- all are probably going to be thought of before settling on Spiers.
They shouldn't.
Spiers peripherals are in a league with the top prospects on the Reds' farm. The 11 K/9 is outstanding, and when combined with the just over 2 BB/9, becomes elite. He doesn't give up many hits either (7.8 overall between low and high A clubs). An artificially high HR rate obscures his dominance a bit. He is old for an A ball prospect, but there's a ton to like in his first season of professional baseball.