[존 시켈스] 신시네티 레즈의 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 추신수의 소속팀인 신시네티 레즈의 유망주 랭킹을 발표를 했군요. 모두 예상을 했듯이 유격수-중견수 유망주인 빌리 해밀튼이 1위에 선정이 되었군요. 존 시켈스는 아무래도 해밀튼이 유격수로 뛰는 것보다는 외야수로 뛰는 것이 본인에게 더 적절해 보인다는 평가를 했군요.

1) Billy Hamilton, OF, Grade A-: His speed is nothing short of incredible and he knows how to use it, with fearlessness and aggression. I think he'll be a decent enough hitter for it to matter, and he fits better in the outfield than at shortstop.

2) Robert Stephenson, RHP; Grade B+: Looks like a future number two starter to me, with plus fastball, good changeup and curveball. Command slipped some at Dayton but not a big flaw at this stage in his career. It will be interesting to see how he handles a larger workload.

3) Tony Cingrani, LHP, Grade B+: He was sure effective for a guy with a mediocre breaking ball, relying on fastball/changeup combination. Given the improvements he's made over the last three years, I think the breaking ball can become at least average, which would make him a number three starter, maybe more.

4) Daniel Corcino, RHP, Grade B+: The Johnny Cueto comp is obvious though I don't know if Corcino will be quite that good. Needs to get the walk rate down, but fastball/slider/changeup combo is enough for him to be a good solid number three.

5) Jesse Winker, OF, Grade B: Borderline B+. Led the Pioneer League in OBP at age 18/19. More power should come too. If he slows down too much he might wind up at first base, but the bat should play there.

6) J.J. Hoover, RHP, Grade B-: I have loved this guy since he was in junior college and he is thriving in relief, real steal from the Braves if he becomes a closer eventually, which I think he can. 

7) Nick Travieso, RHP, Grade B-: First round pick is somewhat raw and will need development time, but potential to be number two starter is there, or a power closer if his changeup doesn't come along. 

8) Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade C+: Canadian with excellent stuff is still figuring out his command. At least he stayed healthy this year and the K/IP marks remain strong. Needs to get the walks down of course. 

9) Dan Langfield, RHP, Grade C+: Another live arm with mid-90s heat and proved more polished than he showed in college after the Reds revised his mechanics. Arsenal seems diverse enough to start, could shoot up the lists in 2013.

10) Henry Rodriguez, 2B-3B, Grade C+: I think his bat is better than what he showed in Triple-A. Should hit for average, provide gap power, versatile defense around the infield.

11) Ismael Guillon, LHP, Grade C+: Best pitch is excellent changeup, fastball and curveball are inconsistent. Dominated the Pioneer League anyway but his past track record isn't too impressive and I want to see more. If his four strong starts at Dayton are any indication, he is another candidate to move well up the list.

12) Jeff Gelalich, OF, Grade C+: UCLA star with speed and power didn't hit in the Pioneer League. Was this because of a hand injury, or because of a hitch in his swing that some scouts detected in college? I guess we'll find out.

13) Jonathan Reynoso, OF, Grade C+: Uber-tools player stole 30 bases and hit .311 in rookie ball, but his plate discipline is quite poor and power is under-developed. Extremely high ceiling but the Reds haven't had a lot of luck with these guys of late.

14) Jon Moscot, RHP, Grade C+: Pepperdine control artist gets grounders, throws strikes, could advance rapidly as a mid-rotation candidate. Was kept on short workload leash in Pioneer League after long spring.

15) Ryan Wright, 2B, Grade C+: Consistently performs above his tools, hit .282/.331/.443 with 17 steals in 19 attempts, 10 homers, with underrated defense in A-ball. I think he will continue to outperform expectations, assuming he doesn't let the strike zone get away from him.

16) Tanner Rahier, 3B, Grade C+: Very tough to rank. California prep star draws praise for his polish, hitting ability, arm strength and fielding, but he hit just .192/.266/.311 in rookie ball and struggled defensively. This was pretty much the opposite of all the scouting reports so I don't know what to make of it. He did control the strike zone reasonably well and he hustles.

17) Seth Mejias-Brean, 3B, Grade C+: Known at University of Arizona as a contact hitter with a strong glove, hit just one homer in college this spring but knocked eight in Pioneer League with .313/.389/.536 line. Controls zone well, could herald a genuine breakthrough.

18) Yorman Rodriguez, OF, Grade C: May have the best toolset in the organization but still has no idea how to use it, whiffed 100 times in 348 at-bats between Low-A and High-A, with combined .241/.274/.371 line. Saving grace is age at 20, but we can only make excuses for so long. 

19) David Vidal, 3B, Grade C: Very impressive glove at third base, but hit just .230/.294/.397 at Double-A Pensacola due to plate discipline failure. 23 now, needs to get it going.

20) Kyle Waldrop, OF, Grade C: Exciting athlete is making slow but steady progress developing his hitting, batted .284/.346/.421 in Midwest League at age 20. Cal League breakthrough in 2013?

OTHERS: James Allen, RHP; Beau Amaral, OF; Tucker Barnhart, C; Sean Buckley, 1B; Drew Cisco, RHP; Carlos Contreras, RHP; Josh Fellhauer, OF, Amir Garrett, LHP; Stalin Gerson, RHP; Drew Hayes, RHP; Jeremy Kivel, RHP; Donald Lutz, 1B-OF; Curtis Partch, RHP; Brent Peterson, SS; Chad Rogers, RHP; Sal Romano, RHP; Gabriel Rosa, 3B; Steve Selsky, OF; Neftali Soto, 1B; Pedro Villarreal, RHP.