John Sickels’ Top 20 Prospects
John Sickels has released his annual list of the Top 20 prospects in the Reds organization; here’s the top ten:
1. Jay Bruce, OF, Grade A (I’m not worried about the strikeouts given his age and performance)
2. Johnny Cueto, RHP, Grade A-
3. Joey Votto, 1B, Grade A-
4. Homer Bailey, RHP, Grade B+
5. Todd Frazier, SS-3B, Grade B+
6. Matthew Maloney, LHP, Grade B (I have always liked him, has component marks of a power pitcher not a finesse guy even though he doesn’t throw hard)
7. Devin Mesoraco, C, Grade B
8. Drew Stubbs, OF, Grade B-
9. Neftali Soto, SS-3B, Grade B-
10. Kyle Lotzkar, RHP, Grade B- (a long way off but a good intuitive feeling)
The most amazing thing about Sickels’ analysis is this line: “A very rich farm system with a lot of depth.”
How long has it been since one could make that claim about the Reds farm system. Kudos to former GM Dave Dan O’Brien and current GM Wayne Krivsky.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Sickels is not even a quarter of the way into his team-by-team lists for this year, but it’s extremely rare to see a system with a top-10 that all rate in the B’s or higher. And three A’s at the top, and not a straight C in the top-20, or even the top-25! This system is stacked.
For my money, I liked best the quote Sickels gave when he first started looking carefully at the Reds’ system last week.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Also, very useful to compare Doug’s top-40 Reds prospects list at redsminorleagues. Much more detailed on individual analysis and player comments. (Sickels of course sells his Prospects book which contains stats and individual comments.)
December 8th, 2007 at 9:07 am
My only argument with Doug’s list is his rating of Drew Stubbs…I hope he’s right, but I have deep reservations about Stubbs offensively abilities.
December 8th, 2007 at 9:44 am
It’s Dan O’Brien not Dave O’Brien.
December 8th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Ah, who can forget the wild success of Dan & Dave.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Of course, it’s Dan O’Brien. I was just checking to make sure you all were paying attention.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
This just seemed like it happened out of nowhere, but it really gives us a lot of hope. If even half these guys can be productive MLB players, I’ll be really happy.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
what about Chris Dickerson, he didn’t play last year and he is on the 40-man roster?