RR Community Prospect Rankings: The Community Takes a Leake

Congratulations, Mike Leake, on securing the #3 spot! Much has been made of his lack of pro experience, and certainly he beat out some other very deserving candidates. However, as someone who voted for Mr. Leake, let me offer some perspective.

Arizona State, Leake's alma mater, is a top notch college program, and he absolutely dominated there this year. Further, his peripheral stats improved each of his three seasons in the program, and apart from a lower K/9 rate, this year they were nearly identical to one Stephen Strasburg. (no nasty emails, I'm not saying Leake's as good as Strasburg, although he did throw 33 more innings against better competition) Also, even though it was a small sample size, Leake represented himself quite well in the AFL this fall, which is considered an extreme hitter's league.

Finally, the things Leake excels at, his control and his variety of quality pitches, are things most young pitchers need time to develop (*cough* Homer Bailey *cough*) There may be questions as to how he will perform at a high level, but two of the most important building blocks, location and variety, are already present and quite developed.

At any rate, what's done is done, let's move on to #4! We're not adding anyone to the list today, so you'll choose from who's left and you'll like it! Again, the poll lasts only 1 day and closes at 10:30 tonight, so vote early...this one promises to be much closer than the last two.

Chris Heisey, OF:

Baseball America rank: 4
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
Age: 25
Draft/Acquisition Details: 17th round (pick 504), Reds, 2006
Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)

2009 Statistics:
Carolina (AA): 71 G, 271 AB, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 13 SB, .347/.426/.572/.998
Louisville (AAA): 63 G, 245 AB, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 8 SB, .278/.323/.465/.788
Peoria (AFL): 24 G, 91 AB, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB, .297/.379/.593/.972

Juan Francisco, 3B/LF:

Baseball America rank: 5
2009 RR CPR rank: 6
Age: 23
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed in 2004 out of Dominican Republic
Highest Level Played: MLB (Cincinnati)

2009 Statistics:
Carolina (AA): 109 G, 437 AB, 22 HR, 74 RBI, 6 SB, .281/.317/.501/.818
Louisville (AAA): 22 G, 92 AB, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 0 SB, .359/.384/.598/.982
Cincinnati (MLB): 14 G, 21 AB, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .429/.520/.619/1.139
Cibao (DWL): 46 G, 182 AB, 11 HR, 42 RBI, 0 SB, .302/.352/.566/.918

Travis Wood, LHSP:

Baseball America rank: 7
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
Age: 23
Draft/Acquisition Details: 2nd Round (pick 60), Reds, 2005

Highest Level Played: AAA (Louisville)

2009 Statistics:
Carolina (AA): 19 GS, 9-3, 1.21 ERA, 119 IP, 103 K, 37 BB, .97 WHIP
Louisville (AAA): 8 GS, 4-2, 3.14 ERA, 48.2 IP, 32 K, 16 BB, 1.21 WHIP

Zachary Cozart, SS:

Baseball America rank: 10
2009 RR CPR rank: NR
Age: 24
Draft/Acquisition Details: 2nd round (pick 79), Reds, 2007
Highest Level Played: AA (Carolina)

2009 Statistics:
Carolina (AA): 131 G, 462 AB, 10 HR, 59 RBI, 10 SB, .262/.360/.398/.758
Peoria (AFL): 13 G, 50 AB, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 3 SB, .340/.393/.560/.953

Yorman Rodriguez, CF:

Baseball America rank: 6
2009 RR CPR rank: 13
Age: 17
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed in 2008 out of Venezuela
Highest Level Played: Rookie (Billings)

2009 Statistics:
GCL Reds (Rookie): 21 G, 82 AB, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5 SB, .280/.348/.329/.677
Billings (Rookie): 46 G, 183 AB, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 5 SB, .219/.259/.344/.603