:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48496751/usa-today-8189246.0.jpg)
The voting went back and forth for most of the day with it looking like Robert Stephenson would run away with the top sport once again. However, with a late push, Jesse Winker took a commanding lead into the evening and held onto it to finish out the voting. I'm sure Winker is honored for his two-peat as RR's CPR #1. To be honest, I was surprised so many people would go for Winker. Stephenson is often a very popular pick, but it goes to show that OBP is becoming so important in such a run starved league. Up next is the voting for the #2 prospect. You'll be given two more players to vote for, a pitcher and a position prospect.
Robert Stephenson, SP, 23
Highest 2015 Level: AAA (Louisville Bats)
Eye-Poppingest Fact: 9.4 K/9 across AA and AAA levels.
Most Worrisome Fact: Still wild... 4.7 BB/9 across AA and AAA levels.
Alias(es): Bob Steve, Treasure Island, Bobert
Robert Stephenson had one of the most interesting and exciting minor league seasons that I followed last year. He had some incredibly brilliant games, but also a very disastrous start. He got roughed up in the month of April, and his first start of May saw him give up 6 earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched. It was bad. He was striking out a bunch of batters, but was giving up way too many walks and hits. After that awful start, it seems that he started to change what he was doing. His ERA continued to drop month by month (May: 3.94, June: 2.54, July: 2.40). His vast improvements led to a promotion to AAA Louisville at the beginning of July.
With these improvements, his strikeout rates continued to drop but so did his walks, hits, and home runs. Stephenson struggled some to end the season, but with his electric fastball and off-speed stuff, there is no reason he shouldn't be at the top of this list. Even if almost anyone can throw 100 MPH anymore.
Jose Peraza, SS/2B, 21
Highest 2015 Level: MLB (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Eye-Poppingest Fact: .293 batting average, 45 strikeouts, and 33 steals in 521 plate appearances.
Most Worrisome Fact: .316 OBP, 17 walks, 4 home runs.
Alias(es): Marco Polo, LOL WUT, Don't Walk This Way
Peraza was the headliner return from the Dodgers in the trade that sent Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox. He's a high ceiling player that has had scouts very excited for a while now, and has found himself incredibly high on numerous prospect rankings (Top 25's). Peraza can do a lot of things well (handling the bat, defense, and running), but isn't too attuned at taking a walk. He's like the anti-Billy Hamilton as in he is 6'0, 180 pounds, and doesn't get the bat knocked out his hand and still plays infield. His game is putting the ball in the play and letting his legs get him to first base. Kinda of like Ichiro, but he's obviously not Ichiro (at least not yet).
The one big draw back to his game is his complete inability, or unwillingness, to take a walk. He looks to hit the ball, which keeps his strikeout incredibly low. This also keeps his walk rates almost hysterically low. He hasn't had a walk percentage over 5% since 2013, and it's hovered around 3.5% the past two years. To put that in perspective, Billy Hamilton walks almost twice as much in the majors, and posted 10%+ numbers in the minors. So, I'm not really sure how this is going to translate.
Peraza does almost everything else well except for hitting home runs. He has some decent gap power, can steal bases in bunches, and can play either SS or 2B. The only reason the Braves moved him from SS is because of Andrelton Simmon, who is an other wordly defensive shortstop, still played for them.
Amir Garrett, SP, 23
Highest 2015 Level: A+ (Daytona Tortugas)
Eye-Poppingest Fact: 140 innings pitched, 2.44 ERA, 3.5 BB/9
Most Worrisome Fact: Not much. 8.5 K/9? Meh, that's pretty good. His age and option situation is sort of worrisome.
Alias(es): Mr. Basketball, Michael Jordan, Amir Cat
Everyone knows the former basketball player turned prospect darling, Mr. Amir Garrett. After screwing around for a few seasons playing an inferior sport, Garrett decided to focus 100% on baseball and it's been very good for his career. The Reds originally spent a boat load of money on Garrett as a 22nd round pick because of his obvious upside. Being a D-I basketball player means that Garrett is an athletic freaking, and has a tall, lean frame that is very conducive to pitching.
Amir pitched 140 innings last year, showing he has some durability, and will be able to continue to go up the ladder. What is even more impressive was his 2.44 ERA, which was just dominate at the A+ level. Boosting him up to AA will present Garrett with new challenges, but he has finally proven himself to be worthy of being high up on the prospect lists. Good for him.
Tyler Stephenson, C, 19
Highest 2015 Level: Rookie League (Billings)
Eye-Poppingest Fact: .352 OBP
Most Worrisome Fact: 1 home run in 219 plate appearances
Alias(es): Ty Steve, The Bat Flip, Kennesaw Mountain Stephenson
Tyler Stephenson was the Reds 2015 first round pick, taken 11th overall. He's a big, powerful kid that was being rumored to be the first overall pick in the draft before graciously falling to the Reds at #11. Honestly, it's one of the more exciting picks in recent memory. Scouts love Stephenson for his athleticism, abilities behind he plate, and tremendous raw power.
I love him because of bat flips in State tourney games.
Stephenson held his own as a high school draftee starting his career in Billings. His batting average and on base percentage were decent. However, he didn't show much power. I'd say it isn't a super big concern since he was hitting against college age pitchers. Stephenson is already being highly ranked nationally, with speculation of being a Top 100 prospect, and MLB.com naming him their #2 catching prospect in all of baseball.
Cody Reed, SP, 19
Highest 2015 Level: Rookie League (Billings)
Eye-Poppingest Fact: .352 OBP
Most Worrisome Fact: 1 home run in 219 plate appearances
Alias(es): Ty Steve, The Bat Flip, Kennesaw Mountain Stephenson