FanPost

Question: Who's your 2005 Reds impact minor leaguer?

So here's the question on this St. Patrick's Day.

Who do you think will have an impact year in the Reds minor league system.

Last year, the surprise jumper was easily Richie Gardner, who as a 6th round pick didn't sign until Sept of 2003, and who vaulted from High A to AA ball putting up solid numbers, making him one of the Reds top Prospects and one of the Top 100 prospects in all of baseball.

So who will that player or players be in '05?

Some guesses on my part.

-Javon Moran - One of the players netted in the Cory Lidle deal, he reportedly has speed like a gazelle, and hit a whopping .385 during his time in Dayton. A repeat of that performance in Sarasota could see him in AA before long.

-Brian Petersen - The saying goes, as a catcher, when your hitting, your defense always looks better. For Brian, he hit pretty well last year and his defense got a lot of attention too.
This is a make or break year for the player above Petersen in the Reds food chain, Dane Sardinha, so Petersen figures to get some attention. 2004 was a breakout season for him, another similiar one cements his status as a Reds future starter.

-William Bergolla - One more year like 2004, and D'Angelo Jimenez can say good bye to the Reds, because the future is coming. Bergolla is set to have another solid year at 2nd Base, giving the Reds options in dealing with the big club, always a plus.

And Lastly
- Tyler Pelland - Fireballing lefty got rocked in Dayton, but bounced back and was the top player for Billings earning him top honors in that league. Hard throwing lefties are a rare commodity, and usually get put on the fast track if they show any skill. Pelland could find himself on that track if he brings what he learned in Billings Eastward to Ohio.