Baseball America has released their selections for the top 10 prospects in the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league system.
This past decade has been a rough one for the Red Legs. They have only had one winning season and have seen a lot of talent both come and go without having its desired effect. Does every cloud have a silver lining? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Obviously the Reds won’t be making any major splashes in the free agent market, so they must improve themselves from within or through trades. The Reds have the making of a good team that just hasn’t put it all together. Will they sell the farm to bring in that impact player or will they just let their talent develop in the minors.
The Scott Rolen trade last year seems to have done more harm then good by handcuffing an already cash strapped team with an aging, injury ridden former all-star. I can’t completely blame the ownership for wanting to make a move to improve the team and show their intentions to the fan base, but Rolen was not the answer even if they did get rid of the frustrating Edwin Encarnacion. So now they must look within for their improvement.
Yonder Alonso has lots of Reds fans getting excited as a potential replacement for Joey Votto if he were traded. Alonso still has a lot of development left in the minors but he definitely has the makings of a top power hitter and Great American Ballpark is a slugger’s paradise. There is light at the end of the tunnel but lets hope that light is success and not a train barreling down on them from another poor trade that doesn’t pan out.
Baseball America’s Top Ten List of Reds Prospects
- Todd Frazier, of/2b/3b
- Yonder Alonso, 1b
- Mike Leake, rhp
- Chris Heisey, of
- Juan Francisco, 3b
- Yorman Rodriguez, of
- Travis Wood, lhp
- Matt Maloney, lhp
- Brad Boxberger, rhp
- Zack Cozart, ss
I used to get excited to see lists of the Reds top prospects. But 15 years and countless injury-riddled pitchers later I can’t get too excited any more.
My guess is the Reds will not trade Votto, unless it’s clear that they’ll lose him in free agency. Votto is quickly becoming the face of the franchise. I think it is much more likely that they would trade Alonso when he is ready for the majors.
I think it will boil down to money issues. Votto will cost more then Alonso and I personally don’t believe in investing too much in a 1st baseman unless your name is Albert Pujols.
It always comes down to money, but I believe Votto will be one of the top dozen offensive players of the 2010s. If there is one player that the Reds(majors or minors) would invest in with a long-term deal, I’m confident it will be Votto. Of course only time will tell.