Community Prospect Rankings: #6
Chris Valaika closes out a top 5 that ultimately had very few surprises. I think it's safe to say that while the Reds may not have a clear superstar in the top 5, they've got a solid group there, all of whom could be important pieces for the next 5 to 10 years.
Now we start to move into some gray area. I think it is unclear what order the next tier of prospects fall in. Juan Francisco has drawn a few more eyes this off-season, but how much weight should we put on the improvements he appears to have made in the DWL? Kyle Lotzkar and Zach Stewart have put up impressive numbers, but they are a lot farther from success than Daryl Thompson, so who knows how they should fall. I'm interested to see how you all see the next set of prospects line up.
Let me know if you think there is somebody else we should be voting on at this point as well.

Josh Roenicke, RHRP:
John Sickels rank: 6
Redsminorleagues rank: 14
Age: 26
Draft/Acquisition Details: 10th round (pick 249), Reds, 2006
Last Level Played: MLB
2008 Statistics:
Chattanooga (AA): 22 G, 22 IP, 21 H, 12 BB, 28 SO, 3.27 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 35 G, 39 IP, 34 H, 14 BB, 43 SO, 2.54 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
Cincinnati (MLB): 5 G, 3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, 9.00 ERA, 2.67 WHIP
Daryl Thompson, RHSP:
John Sickels rank: 9
Redsminorleagues rank: 12
Age: 23
Draft/Acquisition Details: Drafted 8th Rd (pick 237), Expos, 2003. Acquired in 2006 in The Trade
Highest Level Played: MLB
2008 Statistics:
GCL Reds (Rk): 1 G, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Sarasota (A+): 3 G, 15.2 IP, 20 H, 7 BB, 7 SO, 6.89 ERA, 1.72 WHIP
Chattanooga (AA): 10 G, 61.1 IP, 44 H, 14 BB, 56 SO, 1.76 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 7 G, 45.2 IP, 39 H, 9 BB, 33 SO, 2.76 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Cincinnati (MLB): 3 G, 14.1 IP, 20 H, 7 BB, 6 SO, 6.91 ERA, 1.88 WHIP
Kyle Lotzkar, RHP:
John Sickels rank: 8
Redsminorleagues rank: 7
Age: 19
Draft/Acquisition Details: 1st round (pick 53), Reds, 2007
Last Level Played: A (Dayton)
2008 Statistics:
Dayton (A): 10 GS, 37.2 IP, 29 H, 24 BB, 50 SO, 3.58 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
Zach Stewart, RHRP:
John Sickels rank: 7
Redsminorleagues rank: 8
Age: 22
Draft/Acquisition Details: 3rd round (pick 84), Reds, 2008
Last Level Played: A+ (Sarasota)
2008 Statistics:
Texas (College): 20 G, 3 GS, 47 IP, 48 H, 21 BB, 43 SO, 4.98 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
Dayton (A): 11 G, 16.1 IP, 10 H, 3 BB, 13 SO, 0.55 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
Sarasota (A+): 13 G, 16.2 IP, 16H, 11BB, 23 SO, 1.62 ERA, 1.62 WHIP
Juan Francisco, 3B:
John Sickels rank: 10
Redsminorleagues rank: 10
Age: 21
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed in 2004 out of Dominican Republic
Last Level Played: A+ (Sarasota)
2008 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 127 G, 516 AB, .277/.303/.496
Gigantes del Cibao (DWL): 39 G, 158 AB, .361/.420/.671
Devin Mesoraco, C:
John Sickels rank: NR
Redsminorleagues rank: 6
Age: 20
Draft/Acquisition Details: Drafted 1st round (pick 15), Reds, 2007
Last Level Played: A (Dayton)
2008 Statistics:
Dayton (A): 80 G, 306 AB, .261/.311/.399
Danny Dorn,OF:
John Sickels rank: 16
Redsminorleagues rank: 9
Age: 20
Draft/Acquisition Details: Drafted 32nd round (pick 954), Reds, 2006
Last Level Played: AA (Chattanooga)
2008 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 5 G, 20 AB, .250/.286/.500
Chattanooga (AA): 98 G, 336 AB, .277/.367/.539
Comments
Lotzkar
he did very well this year in a league where the average player is 2-3 years older than him. the broken elbow is a cause for concern, but it’s not supposed to be serious.
Francisco still doesnt walk enough. even in his monster small sample in the Dominican he isnt walking much, and a fair number of the ones he has are intentional. as is, he’s not going to make it in the bigs unless he can hit .300, and i dont think he can do that.
Roenicke and Stewart lose points for being relievers, but i still think they can contribute and perhaps even this year. Mesoraco is fine as is, but he needs to start hitting a little better and developing all those plus catcher tools he’s suppose to have if he wants to become a top prospect. i like Dorn, but he really needs to hit lefties at least a little bit. if he does he’ll be a star. Thompson is big-league ready, but the shoulder injuries and mid-rotation ceiling are enough to hold me back from voting him this high.
by Charlie Scrabbles on
Dec 29, 2008 9:30 AM EST
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I'm going Lotzkar if I have to pick from the list
He holds his own in a league that’s above his age level. He’s a pretty big guy, too (6’4, 200 or so from what I’ve read) so I really think he can fill in that frame and put a little more behind his pitches before all is said and done.
Otherwise, I really think it’s time to put Matt Maloney up there. He hasn’t dominated to date, but he has a great command of the strike zone. There’s no reason he shouldn’t have a chance to grab the 5th spot in the rotation sometime this year, and that’s really more than you could say about anybody else on the list.
by Bertemus Dorsi on
Dec 29, 2008 11:39 AM EST
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I'm 6'3 and 200, and I'm definitely not "a pretty big guy"
But certainly there are smaller pitchers.
by Brian B on
Dec 29, 2008 12:50 PM EST
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Like Lefty Smurf

I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. - Bill Veeck
by PeteyHendrix on
Dec 29, 2008 3:04 PM EST
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would a fair Juan Francisco comparison be Russell Branyan?
a dude who can mash, but strikes out so much he can’t hold a starting gig…
by jacob brumfield on
Dec 29, 2008 10:35 AM EST
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unfortunately for Francisco
Branyan knows how to take a walk.
by Charlie Scrabbles on
Dec 29, 2008 11:06 AM EST
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I don't think so
Russell Branyan has a career IsoD of .098. I think Francisco right now is looking more like a .260/.300/.475 batter. I’m thinking someone like Joe Carter would be his peak.
We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches
by Slyde on
Dec 29, 2008 11:08 AM EST
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I realize that Joe Carter >>> Russell Branyan
My point was that Branyan is not a good comp for Francisco. Carter may not be either as he only struck out 15% of the time in his career. Francisco is at 25% in the minors.
We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches
by Slyde on
Dec 29, 2008 11:13 AM EST
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Danny Dorn
seems to be a best-case scenario of what Francisco can be in a year or two, right? .900 ops in AA and AAA ain’t nothing.
...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield
by Cy Schourek on
Dec 29, 2008 10:39 AM EST
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Francisco has 22 votes, but one comment defending it
Come on guys. Why is Francisco running away with this vote?
"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands
by BK on
Dec 29, 2008 10:48 AM EST
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Your face
That’s why.
"Aio, quantitas magna frumentorum est."
by jch24 on
Dec 29, 2008 11:59 AM EST
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flag'd
although, it is the best argument I’ve heard so far.
"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands
by BK on
Dec 29, 2008 12:57 PM EST
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Perhaps
Fayblog commentors are lurking.
I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. - Bill Veeck
by PeteyHendrix on
Dec 29, 2008 3:06 PM EST
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Nah
If they were here, they’d be suggesting adding Keppinger to the poll for his defensive prowess.
"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands
by BK on
Dec 29, 2008 3:09 PM EST
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Or perhaps his Desenfive Powress.
I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. - Bill Veeck
by PeteyHendrix on
Dec 29, 2008 3:11 PM EST
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Lovely
Slyde: "You're like the Ike Turner of RR commenters."
by Pops Daniels on
Dec 29, 2008 3:22 PM EST
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Nice.
While we’re on the subject of the [sic]ness, he posted a blog today about the vacant LF spot. Apparently, Baldellini is a BIG IF.
"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands
by BK on
Dec 29, 2008 3:30 PM EST
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will we get to touch Baldellini?

We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches
by Slyde on
Dec 29, 2008 4:18 PM EST
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Props for the Hids in the Kall referense.
That’s some solid obscurity.
I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. - Bill Veeck
by PeteyHendrix on
Dec 29, 2008 4:41 PM EST
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Has Matt Maloney been discussed at all?
He may not be the next choice, but I feel like he’s in this company and closer to the majors.
by Brian B on
Dec 29, 2008 10:48 AM EST
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yeah
Maloney should be on the list for voting at this point. He’s the Jan Brady of the Reds minor leagues.
We’’re in process of trying to a guy with a trade record of working with pitches
by Slyde on
Dec 29, 2008 11:09 AM EST
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That's sexist!
"I'm standing at the plate thinking, Where are my hands? Where's this, where's that? Before I know it, the pitch is there and I'm completely out of rhythm." -
-- Adam Dunn
by Joe Nolan's Glasses on
Dec 29, 2008 2:11 PM EST
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While Francisco's winter numbers have been very impressive
I’m going with Roenicke. He’s got good stuff, has minor league numbers to back up his stuff, and has earned an extended look at the big-league level. I don’t think Thompson will be as good, and I think while Lotzkar and Stewart have the potential to be better, they haven’t proven themselves at as high a level as Roenicke has.
"My wife ain't never ran and got me no pheasant." - Fistbands
by BK on
Dec 29, 2008 10:52 AM EST
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Thompson
I liked what I saw when he was around, although the results weren’t terrific. Jose Acevedo was supposed to be pretty good if he ever put his talent together. And I feel like Daryl Thompson is better than Acevedo was supposed to be.
Juan Francisco will win this round, but guys who can’t make contact in the minors scare me.
by Brian B on
Dec 29, 2008 10:52 AM EST
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um, if people are gonna be swayed by Francisco > Branyan
that doesn’t mean they’re gonna be swayed by Thompson > Acevedo.
But would anyone else like to do a Mexican League/Indy League tour and do Ex-Red SP Bingo?
Reith, Moehler, Van Poppel, Josh Hall, Hudson! BINGO!
...because there's already someone posing as Jacob Brumfield
by Cy Schourek on
Dec 29, 2008 4:40 PM EST
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I voted for Francisco
only because I hope he fills the little Wily Mo Pena hole in my heart.
by jacob brumfield on
Dec 29, 2008 12:13 PM EST
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i dont think Wily Mo Pena has ever left a "little" hole in anything
by Charlie Scrabbles on
Dec 29, 2008 12:15 PM EST
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I would be funny as hell if that giant man
had a teeny little donger.
Slyde: "You're like the Ike Turner of RR commenters."
by Pops Daniels on
Dec 29, 2008 3:24 PM EST
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I'm going with Lotzkar.
He put up very impressive numbers last season in Low-A as a 19-year-old. I like that he pitches off his fastball and consistently throws 91, with an occasional jump higher. Lotzkar is learning to repeat his delivery, which helps his control. He has the size, frame and arm action to be durable. He has potential to be a No. 2 or 3 starter, which for me gives him an edge over Thompson, whom I also like.
There is a lot to like in this farm system.
We Are ... Marshall!
by Thundering Turtle on
Dec 29, 2008 3:12 PM EST
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all in all
I’m pretty happy that this is the bunch we are choosing between for #6 on the prospect list. We could do a lot worse — and we have in the not-so-recent past.
by bbjones on
Dec 29, 2008 8:50 PM EST
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