With just 37 players on the 40-man roster, the Reds almost certainly will select at least one player in the Rule 5 Draft next Thursday. The order stands at  Washington, Seattle, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Francisco, Atlanta and Cincinnati in the top eight. If no one ahead of them passes, the Reds  could pick as high as sixth because the Pirates and Orioles have full 40-man rosters. That could change as teams make trades at the Winter Meetings.

Are there players worth selecting? While there appears to be no Josh Hamilton, Johan Santana nor Joakim Soria available, there are some interesting possibilities. Here’s a look at some guys the Reds might consider:

HITTERS

– James Skelton-C-Detroit.

A 14th-round pick out of HS in 2004, Skelton, 23, is just 5-11, 165. He threw out 35 percent of base stealers in high-A ball last season, where he posted a 3-23-.307 .468 .406 line while stealing 14 bases in 19 attempts. At AA, Skelton went 2-11-.294 .425 .388. He’s a LHH and is willing to take a walk. For a team in need of catching, Skelton could be worth a pick.

– Jordan Brown-1B/OF-Cleveland.

A fourth-round pick from Arizona in 2005, Brown reminds some of Sean Casey at the plate. A LHH, he’s done nothing but hit, although with little power. Brown went 7-51-.281 .337 .417 in AAA last season. He’s a capable defender at a corner OF spot. He could make a nice fourth OF, pinch-hitter type who can play 1B.

– Corey Wimberly-2B-Colorado.

If you are head over heels for Willy Taveras, and honestly who isn’t, this sixth-rounder from the 2005 draft out of Alcorn State is your man. Versatile enough to play some CF, LF and 3B, as well as 2B, Wimberly is a speedster, stealing 181 bases in 235 attempts as a minor leaguer. Wimberly (5-8, 180) offers absolutely no power. Last season in AA he posted a line of 0-26-.291 .370 .345. A switch-hitter, he walks nearly as often as he strikes out, but doesn’t do either often. Wimberly could stick as a pinch-runner type (Herb Washington anyone?) If nothing else. Do the Reds have roster space for that?

– Brad Coon-CF-Anaheim.

Interesting prospect this 27-year-old LHH out of Trevecca Nazarene U. A 15th-rounder in 2005, Coon might be coming into his own. He went 4-30-.306 .406 .380 and was 17-27 in SB last year at AAA hitter’s haven Salt Lake City. He lacks a great arm, but is quite sound defensively. He is not averse to taking a walk. The Reds need for CF help might make Coon (6-1, 175) worth a shot – a long shot, at best.

– Jesus Guzman-3B-San Francisco.

Guzman, 24, recently signed as a six-year free agent, but the Giants didn’t place him on the 40-man roster so he’s eligible for the Rule 5. Guzman put up impressive numbers last year with Oakland’s AA club, going 14-76-.364 .419 .560. Originally signed in 2000 by Seattle, Guzman (6-1, 160) is a switch-hitter who can play 2B, 3B or the OF, although he isn’t stellar at any of those positions. He could make a decent utility player in time, but don’t the Reds have enough of those already?

Others of mild interest: Ryan Royster-RF-Tampa Bay, Chad Boyd-LF-Oakland, Daniel Carte-OF-Colorado, Stephen Head-OF/1B-Cleveland, Jeremy Slayden-OF-Philadelphia, Erik Lis-OF/1B-Minnesota, Josh Alley-OF-San Diego, Bryan Byrne-1B-Arizona, Anthony Recker-C-Oakland.

PITCHERS

– Chris Nicoll-RHRP-Kansas City.

A third-rounder out of Cal-Irvine in 2005, Nicoll, 25, became a reliever last season and took to it well. A K guy, Nicoll (6-1, 190) has averaged nearly 10 strikeouts and three walks per game in his career, despite featuring a merely average fastball/slider combination. Last year in AA, Nicoll posted a 4-1 record with a 3.09 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He whiffed 55 and walked 8 while allowing 43 hits in 43 IP.

– Eduardo Morlan-RHRP-Tampa Bay.

Included in the Matt Garza-Delmon Young deal, Morlan (23) has an intriguing arm. A third-round pick in 2004, Morlan (6-2, 210) combines a mid-90s fastball with a mid-80s slider. Last season in AA, Morlan went 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Opponents batted .242. He allowed 44 hits in 47 IP, struck out 45 and walked 15. He has averaged 10 Ks and fewer than three walks per game in his career. Morlan is very adept at keeping the ball in the park.

– Zach Kroenke-LHRP-NY Yankees.

I’ve read next to nothing on Kroenke from anyone previewing the Rule 5, but I like him enough to consider the 2005 fifth-rounder from Nebraska worth a look. Kroenke (6-3, 210) will be 25 on opening day. He went 6-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in AA last season. Foes batted .187. In 43 IP, he allowed 28 hits, struck out 44 and walked 26. Historically, he has struggled before repeating a level since 2006, so maybe that’s the knock.

– Sean Stidfole-RHRP-Toronto.

A 2005 14th-rounder from Penn State, Stidfole (25) went 1-3, 3.27 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP in AAA last season. In 41 IP, he allowed 31 hits, walked 19 and struck out 32. He’s not a K guy and he walks too many, but Stidfole (6-2, 175) is a groundball pitcher who could be worth a look.

– Derek Rodriguez-RHRP-Chicago White Sox.

Rodriguez (25) is another under the radar guy. At 6-1, 190, Rodriguez was a 2005 14th-rounder out of UNLV. Last year in AA, Rodriguez posted a line of 5-1, 3.38 1.13. In 42 IP, he allowed 30 hits, struck out 44, walked 18 and held opponents to a .203 BAA. In 20 IP at AAA, Rodriguez went 0-1 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 44 Ks and 15 walks. Foes hit .179. A little too much of a flyball guy for GABP, Rodriguez went 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in the AFL this season. He allowed 13 hits in 13 IP, struck out 14 and walked six.

Others of mild interest: Todd Blackford-RHRP-Chicago Cubs, Jacob Marceaux-RHRP-Florida, Donald Veal-RHSP-Chicago Cubs, Kevin Whelan-RHRP-NY Yankees, J.B.Cox-RHRP-NY Yankees, Chuck Lofgren-LHSP-Cleveland, Alan Horne-RHSP-NY Yankees, Neil Jamison-RHSP-San Diego.