Redszone 2023 Top 40 prospects Poll: #18

[*BaseClogger*]

I'll be throwing my support behind the bonus babies once we get Hinds and Richardson off the board...

[RedTeamGo!]

I just don't see Hinds as even top 30 in the org right now. Dude doesn't make nearly enough contact. I can get behind Richardson being a solid MLB reliever, though.

[*BaseClogger*]

Even with the contact issues he was above-average offensively at A+ as a 21 year-old. Got the call to AA and then showcased in the AFL. He has a 70 power tool. What other bats left on the list can compare?

[Bourgeois Zee]

Even with the contact issues he was above-average offensively at A+ as a 21 year-old. Got the call to AA and then showcased in the AFL. He has a 70 power tool. What other bats left on the list can compare?

Not that I'm voting for him, but he's also shown above average speed, a cannon for an arm, and projects to be really good defensively in RF once he has had more reps. (Which , frankly, is surprising to me. I expected him to be much more of a lumbering oaf.)

But that hit tool is Aristides Lite. Ick.

[Kc61]

I got Cabrera here. Highly touted, a shortstop, and just turned 18 years old.

[texasdave]

There are a couple of more DSL 17-year-olds that bear watching.

1) Esmith Pineda (800,000 signing bonus). Pineda was off to a blazing start until his season got curtailed by injury. He only played in 15 games (about a third of the season), and put up this line: .367/.456/.592/1.048. This scouting report comes from redsminorleagues.com.

A big signing coming out of Panama, the Reds are picking up outfielder Esmith Pineda on the first day of the signing period. Listed at 5′ 11″ and 180 lbs. Pineda is best known for his power potential, which is above-average to plus. His arm strength rates out nearly as well as another above-average tool in his arsenal and should play well in right field. His hit-tool, speed, and fielding all grade out as potentially average in the future.

2) Carlos Sanchez - He also is just 17. I could not find a scouting report on the youngster, but his numbers are pretty strong. He plays the outfield and put up this line: .355/.506/.442/.948. He walked 40 times as opposed to just 28 strike outs. Additionally, that is not a typo. He got on base over 50% of the time.

[podgejeff_]

Now, tell us what the Reds spent on 3 big Cuban signees and how they were ranked and how they’ve fared.

Big money doesn’t mean much to me when it comes to international signings, all those take is for one scout to fall in love with them.

If we’re going just by bonus, there are a lot of draftees that should place here too.

We may end up needing your tiebreaker services.

[Kinsm]

We may end up needing your tiebreaker services.

I'll check back later.

[Mitri]

Cabrera vs. Hinds. Definitely interested to see Kinsm’s tiebreaker there.

Personally I think Hinds’ plate discipline is a few bridges too far.

[Kinsm]

I don't like either choice.....a just turned 18 year old who has never faced American pitching vs. a guy who K's a third of his PA's.

[mth123]

I don't like either choice.....a just turned 18 year old who has never faced American pitching vs. a guy who K's a third of his PA's.

They are all suspects at this point. Hold your nose and pick one.

[camisadelgolf]

Tyler Mahle was under everyone's radar until a velocity uptick. I could see a similar trajectory with Richardson. There are undeniable tools elsewhere in the system, but throwing near 100 isn't as common as people act sometimes.

[Bourgeois Zee]

They are all suspects at this point. Hold your nose and pick one.

They are suspects just like every other prospect in baseball-- and at pick #18, the Reds' suspects are likely more interesting than most other teams'.