2005 Top 40 Reds Prospects

1)      Edwin Encarnacion - 3B, 22:  Bowden's best trade.
2)      Joey Votto - 1B, 21:  Could be Casey's replacement.  
3)      Richie Gardner - SP, 23:  The future.
4)      Anderson Machado - SP, 24:  Written pre-injury.  Very intriguing player, impressive patience.
5)      William Bergolla - 2B, 22:  Future lead-off man.
6)      Steve Kelly - SP, 25:  Underrated, back of the rotation future not far off.
7)      Homer Bailey - SP, 18:  Performance > Upside.  Needs to avoid injuries.
8)      Thomas Pauly - SP, 24:  Should be an impact pitcher.
9)      Bubba Nelson - SP, 23:  Needs to rebound from a tough '04, but has the pedigree.
10)    Todd Coffey - RP, 24:  Probably deserves to make the Opening Day roster, but won't.
11)    Elizardo Ramirez - SP, 22:  Already has some ML experience, one to watch this year.
12)    Kevin Howard - 2B, 23:  Stock is rising, nice showing in the AFL.
13)    Javon Moran - OF, 22:  Toolsy, Bowden type.
14)    Junior Ruiz - 2B, 24:  Patience is a virture, should have a career as a utility guy.
15)    A.J. Zapp - 1B, 27:  Could probably contribute this year if utilized properly.
16)    B.J. Szymanski - OF, 22:  Another stud outfielder on the horizon?
17)    Ben Kozlowski - SP, 24:  Nice low risk pickup, could see Cincinnati in '05.
18)    Joe Valentine - RP, 25:  Needs to tame the wildness.
19)    Jose Guevara - RP, 23:  Ridiculous K numbers in '04.
20)    Jose Ronda - SS, 19:  Upside is tremendous, but needs to start moving upward.
21)    Brian Peterson - C, 26:  Only offensive minded catcher in the system, LaRue's successor.
22)    Jesse Gutierrez - 1B, 26:  Has a future as a role player.
23)    Ty Howington - SP, 24:  Career probably over, but will receive every possible chance.
24)    Dane Sardinha - C, 26:  Couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat.
25)    Matt Belisle - SP, 24:  Possible bullpen candidate?
26)    D.J. Mattox - SP, 25:  Coming back from injury, big question mark.
27)    Daylan Childress - RP, 26:  Had a breakout year in '04, needs to repeat it.
28)    Steve Smitherman - OF, 27:  Desperately needs to be in a different organization.
29)    Brian Shackelford - RP, 28:  Now or never.
30)    Tyler Pelland - SP, 21:  Horrid showing at Dayton, needs to bounce back in '05.
31)    Phillip Dumatrait - SP, 23:  Nice potential, but injury history is a big detriment.
32)    Chris Denorfia - OF, 24:  Needs to show at least a little more power.
33)    Chris Dickerson - OF, 23:  Progressing very nicely, still under the radar.
34)    David Shafer - RP, 23:  Great stats, possible future closer.
35)    Miguel Perez - C, 21:  Defensively minded catcher.  Another one.
36)    Mark Schramek - 3B, 24:  Switching to pitching might not be a bad idea.
37)    Jeff Bannon - SS, 26:  Little upside, but possible future as utility man.
38)    Craig Tatum - C, 22:  Yet another defensively minded catcher.
39)    Alexander Farfan - RP, 22: Velocity makes up most of upside.
40)    Paul Janish - SS, 21: High showing on BA list bodes well.