In what some are calling the upset of the century (nobody is calling it that), Chris Valaika edged out Brad Boxberger for the 13th spot on our list. It's a pretty clear indication that the voting populace are big fans of the players who have already proven themselves at a higher level, although the name recognition of a player who saw time with the big league club probably worked into his favor as well.
Chris represents another one of those in the high minors that have proven their worth at AAA but who really doesn't have much of a spot on the Cincinnati bench at the moment. It seems like Miguel Cairo and Edgar Renteria (hopefully) have Chris's ideal utility spot nailed down for the time being, so barring an injury, Louisville Bats fans can expect to see him in the lineup to start the season for the third straight year. Last year was a tremendous improvement from 2009 as he began to learn the league, and will likely put up numbers there to start the year. The big question will be if he's able to make that leap to the big league level, and how he'll contribute to a team with significant money already tied up in every position he plays.
I think there are enough names on the list to keep this going. Vote.
Junior Arias, IF
John Sickels Rank: 16
2010 RR CPR Rank: n/a
Age: 18
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2008
Highest Level Played: AZL Reds (Rookie)
2010 Statistics:
AZL Reds (Rookie): 47 G, 195 AB, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 4 SB, .287/.336/.482/.818
Bradley Boxberger, RHP
John Sickels Rank: 12
2010 RR CPR Rank: 12
Age: 22
Draft/Acquisition Details: 1st round (43rd overall) Reds, 2009
Highest Level Played: Carolina (AA)
2010 Statistics:
Lynchburg (A+): 14 G, 13 GS, 4-6, 3.19 ERA, 62 IP, 70 K, 20 BB, 1.24 WHIP
Carolina (AA): 22 G, 0 GS, 1-4, 8.49 ERA, 29.2 IP, 40 K, 22 BB, 1.92 WHIP
Jonathan Correa, RHP
John Sickels Rank: 18
2010 RR CPR Rank: NA
Age: 20
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed by Reds in 2008 from the Dominican Republic
Highest Level Played: Billings (Rookie)
2010 Statistics:
AZL Reds (Rookie): 8 G, 8 GS, 4-2, 2.06 ERA, 39.1 IP, 49 K, 9 BB, 1.14 WHIP
Billings (Rookie): 6 G, 6 GS, 2-2, 5.00 ERA, 27.0 IP, 34 K, 10 BB, 1.30 WHIP
Ismael Guillon, LHP
John Sickels Rank: 14
2010 RR CPR Rank: NA
Age: 18
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed by Reds in 2008 from Venezuela
Highest Level Played: AZL Reds (Rookie)
2010 Statistics:
AZL Reds (Rookie): 12 G, 10 GS, 3-3, 3.32 ERA, 57 IP, 73 K, 23 BB, 1.09 WHIP
Ryan LaMarre, OF
John Sickels Rank: 17
2010 RR CPR Rank: n/a
Age: 22
Draft/Acquisition Details: 2nd round (62 overall), Reds, 2010
Highest Level Played: Lynchburg (A+)
2010 Statistics:
Dayton (A): 60 G, 227 AB, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 18 SB, .282/.370/.396/.767
Lynchburg (A+): 8 G, 27 AB, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, .222/.276/.407/.683
Kris Negron, SS
John Sickels Rank: n/a
2010 RR CPR Rank: n/a
Age: 25
Draft/Acquisition Details: 7th round (223 overall), Red Sox, 2006; Acquired in 2009 for Alex Gonzalez.
Highest Level Played: Louisville (AAA)
2010 Statistics:
Carolina (AA): 120 G, 470 AB, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 34 SB, .269/.355/.401/.756
Louisville (AAA): 7 G, 21 AB, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB, .190/.190/.238/.429
Henry Rodriguez, IF
John Sickels Rank: 15
2010 RR CPR Rank: n/a
Age: 21
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed by Reds in 2007 out of Venezuela
Highest Level Played: Lynchburg (A+)
2010 Statistics:
Dayton (A): 124 G, 514 AB, 14 HR, 78 RBI, 33 SB, .307/.337/.473/.810
Lynchburg (A+): 6 G, 24 AB, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, .250/.250/.250/.500
Ronald Torreyes, IF
John Sickels Rank: 19
2010 RR CPR Rank: n/a
Age: 18
Draft/Acquisition Details: Signed in 2009 out of Venezuela
Highest Level Played: Dayton (A)
2010 Statistics:
VSL Reds (VESL): 67 G, 241 AB, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 23 SB, .390/.468/.606/1.074
AZL Reds (Rookie): 18 G, 83 AB, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 2 SB, .349/.379/.494/.873
Dayton (A): 6 G, 25 AB, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, .240/.240/.400/.640