In what was the most exciting, nail-biting, 'down the stretch they come' race thus far in the RRCPR, Matt Maloney pulled ahead of Chris Valaika, pipped Brad Boxberger at the post, and won the #10 spot in a photo finish. Congrats, Signore Mologna, hopefully you can give the Reds some quality starts at the back end of the rotation this season.
So now we move on to #11. Now that we are out of the top 10, we are going to provide you fine folks with a short scouting report on each player, in addition to his stats, to help you make your decision. At this level there are a lot of similar prospects who grade out almost equally. Do you go with upside or past performance? Position of need or relatively high floor? Vote early post your thoughts in the thread.
Enerio Del Rosario, RHRP:
Made huge strides at 3 levels last season. Doesn't strike out a lot of people, but doesn't walk a ton either and keeps the ball in the ballpark. Also, is a ground ball machine (68.4 GB% in 2009). Stuff is not overpowering, but changes speeds well and "knows how to pitch".
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
2010 John Sickels Rank: 20
Age: 24
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed in 2007 out of the Dominican Republic
Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)
2009 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 31 G, 2-1, 1.98 ERA, 50 IP, 33 K, 6 BB, .92 WHIP
Carolina (AA) : 4 G, 0-0, 1.59 ERA, 5.2 IP, 9 K, 0 BB, .35 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 15 G, 1-0, 1.09, 24.2 IP, 12 K, 6 BB, 1.22 WHIP
Gigantes (DWL): 20 G, 3-2, 1.99 ERA, 22.2 IP, 11 K, 3 BB, .93 WHIP
Brad Boxberger, RHSP:
Had a great year at USC last season, but hasn't pitched in pro ball yet. AFL was not impressive, but has great tools. Has three at least average pitches, including a fastball in the low 90s that cuts with late action, can touch 94 with it. Also throws a 12-6 curve and a buckling knuckle-curve. Scouts say he has middle of the rotation potential.
Baseball America rank: 9
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
2010 John Sickels Rank: 7
Age: 21
Draft/Acquisition Details: 1st round (pick 43), Reds, 2009
Highest Level Played: NCAA (USC)
2009 Statistics:
USC (NCAA): 14 GS, 6-3, 3.16 ERA, 94 IP, 99 K, 50 BB, 1.27 WHIP
Peoria (AFL): 8 G, 1-1, 11.37 ERA, 12.2 IP, 13 K, 7 BB, 1.89 WHIP
Chris Valaika, 2B/SS:
Gets a bit of an injury "bye" this year. Has hit at every level of the minors until now. Average plate discipline and power. Bat would definitely play at SS but questions whether he can stick there defensively. Could become a decent everyday 2B or a good utility guy.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: 5
2010 John Sickels Rank: 14
Age: 24
Draft/Acquisition Details: 3rd round, (84th pick), Reds, 2006
Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)
2009 Statistics:
Louisville (AAA): 95 G, 366 AB, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 1 SB, .235/.271/.344/.615
Devin Mesoraco, C:
2007 first round pick has yet to show skills at the plate, although his peripherals are improving, and this year's numbers were likely depressed by the Florida State League. Has improved his line drive rate and isolated power each year in the minors, and walk rate this year was a very solid 10%. Defensively, still a work in progress, but improving: threw out 30% of attempted stealers this year. Still young, but needs to perform in 2010.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: 11
2010 John Sickels Rank: NR
Age: 22
Draft/Acquisition Details: 1st round (15th pick), Reds, 2007
Highest Level Played: A+ (Sarasota)
2009 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 92 G, 312 AB, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 0 SB, .228/.311/.381/.692
Neftali Soto, 3B:
Very toolsy, but had a down year. Like Mesoraco, numbers were depressed by playing in the Florida State League. Has been very young for every level he's played as a pro, and dominated until this season. Makes decent contact, but doesn't walk much. Very good power potential and potential to hit for average. Question where he fits defensively. Might be moved to the outfield.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: 2
2010 John Sickels Rank: 15
Age: 21
Draft/Acquisition Details: 3rd round (109th pick), Reds, 2007
Highest Level Played: A+ (Sarasota)
2009 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 131 G, 505 AB, 11 HR, 57 RBI, 1 SB, .248/.282/.362/.644
Caguas (PR): 1 G, 3 AB, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, .667/.667/1.333/2.000
Matt Klinker, RHSP:
Local product from Lakota West HS in Cincinnati. Late round pick who had success at 3 levels last season, but has finally caught up to his age. K/9 averages over 9, with a good walk rate, although this the first time in his career that it's been that high. Throws a 2-seam fastball and a looping 12-6 curve. A little prone to giving up HRs to lefties, at 1.43 HR/9 last year.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
2010 John Sickels Rank: NR
Age: 25
Draft/Acquisition Details: 15th round (469th pick), Reds, 2007
Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)
2009 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 9 GS, 2-2, 4.89 ERA, 42.1 IP, 42 K, 8 BB, 1.44 WHIP
Carolina (AA): 6 GS, 3-2, 2.95 ERA, 36.2 IP, 40 K, 13 BB, 1.09 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 5 GS, 2-2, 2.48 ERA, 29 IP, 30 K, 13 BB, 1.21 WHIP
Logan Ondrusek, RHRP:
Tall. Converted from a starter to setup man after 2007. Was old for his level in Sarasota, but pitched lights out there and had success at 3 levels last season. Doesn't strike out a lot of guys, but keeps the ball on the ground and in the ballpark. Walks weren't a huge concern last year, but that was a drastic outlier. He throws a 4-seam fastball in the low-mid 90s, and a change in the low 80s, along with a slider and cutter. Had a rough AFL campaign, giving up 4 HR in 10 innings after giving up 1 in 72 during the season.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
2010 John Sickels Rank: NR
Age: 25 (on February 13)
Draft/Acquisition Details: 13rd round (392nd pick), Reds, 2005
Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)
2009 Statistics:
Sarasota (A+): 13 G, 2-0, 0.96 ERA, 18.2 IP, 12 K, 7 BB, .75 WHIP
Carolina (AA): 24 G, 2-1, 1.65 ERA, 32.2 IP, 24 K, 12 BB, 1.01 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 19 G, 0-0, 1.74 ERA, 20.2 IP, 11 K, 2 BB, .87 WHIP
Peoria Saguaros (AFL): 10 G, 2-1, 13.50 ERA, 10 IP, 8 K, 2 BB, 2.4 WHIP
Donnie Joseph, RHRP:
Very effective in Billings and Dayton last season. Lots of strikeouts (11.34K/9), control may be an issue. Held hitters to a .165 average, and didn't give up any long balls in 33.1 IP. Downright nasty against lefties, and could move up the system quickly. Two pitch pitcher, with a fastball in the low 90s up to around 94, and an above average slider with plenty of break. Also known as a high-character guy.
Baseball America rank: NR
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
2010 John Sickels Rank: 11
Age: 22
Draft/Acquisition Details: 3rd round (88th pick), Reds, 2009
Highest Level Played: A (Dayton)
2009 Statistics:
Houston (NCAA): 31 G, 3-1, 2.16 ERA, 50 IP, 75 K, 22 BB, 1.10 WHIP
Billings (Rookie): 8 G, 2-0, 0.77 ERA, 11.2 IP, 11 K, 4 BB, .86 WHIP
Dayton (A): 16 G, 2-2, 4.35 ERA, 20.2 IP, 31 K, 10 BB, 1.11 WHIP